IN today's fast-paced world, instant gratification has become the norm. We crave immediate results — whether it's with food, communication or financial returns. However, when it comes to personal finance, patience is not just a virtue; it's a necessity. Building wealth and securing financial stability requires time, discipline and a long-term perspective. The concept of delayed gratification, though challenging in our instant-everything culture, is crucial for achieving meaningful financial goals.

We live in a society where we want things instantly. Gone are the days when waiting for what we want or need was the norm. The mantra now is: the faster, the better. Time has become so precious that waiting is often seen as wasting it. We have instant noodles, fast food, instant messaging, instant loans, instant money and even instant riches. In short, we are surrounded by things that provide us with instant gratification. We want that gadget, that car, that return on investment — now.