This isn't unique to the poor: However, while past studies cover a wide range of choice situations, there is a remarkable consensus in the literature that futu

This isn't unique to the poor: However, while past studies cover a wide range of choice situations, there is a remarkable consensus in the literature that future outcomes are discounted (or undervalued) relative to immediate outcomes. Put differently, an identical (positive) outcome will become increasingly attractive the closer it is located in time to the time of decision-making. See: http://www.mit.edu/people/shanefre/Marketing%20Letters.pdf http://www.mit.edu/people/shanefre/Marketing%20Letters.pdf Also: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/magazine/19Science-t.html http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/magazine/19Science-t.html