A key theme of my book Future Proof is low time preference.
Low time preference can feel confusing at first. It’s not intuitive, but once you get it, it changes how you see money, health, and even time itself.
Here’s how I explain it 🧵
High time preference = short term focus
Low time preference = long term focus
Eat the donut now? That’s high time preference.
Go for a run instead? That’s low time preference.
Simple. But powerful.
Here’s the catch: choosing low time preference usually feels worse in the moment.
Running sucks when you start.
Saving feels boring.
Choosing to buy sats instead of a latte feels small… but over time those choices compound into freedom.
Low time preference in money = saving, investing, stacking sats
Low time preference in health = sleep, nutrition, training
Low time preference in relationships = showing up consistently
It’s the same mindset, applied everywhere.
But here’s the paradox: deliberately delaying gratification and consistently investing in your health actually gives you MORE time.
Every early bedtime, every workout, every intentional choice compounds over years. Each one helps you reclaim time that would otherwise be lost to fatigue, inflammation, or illness.
You’re not just delaying decline. You’re actively creating order from chaos and expanding the time you get to live with strength, freedom, and energy.
Bitcoin is what taught me this lesson.
HODLing reshaped my relationship with time. Consistency, patience, and discipline create lasting value, not quick hits.
It gave me my time back. I have the freedom to step off the hamster wheel and do something I want, something I am passionate about. I can build for the future, not just survive the day.
Here’s how I apply it daily:
👉 When I want to snack, I pause: “Am I hungry or just bored?”
👉 When I want to skip a workout, I ask: “Will future Erin thank me?”
👉 When I stack sats, I remind myself: “I’m buying freedom, not stuff.”
Low time preference doesn’t mean cutting out fun or spontaneity. Some moments are worth it.
But my baseline choices now have intention. They’re built to create vitality and freedom instead of eroding them.
Bitcoin rewards those who delay gratification.
So does your body.
Stack sats. Stack habits. Play the long game.
Thanks for reading. If you want more, my book Future Proof: The Intersection of Bitcoin and Longevity expands on all of this.
Available now in paperback and Kindle:
📚 amzn.to/40uIl8Q
Quick update: I've moved my Substack to my new website, which is now my official digital home. I'll post new articles here, migrate older favorites (like Hot Tub Mine Machine), and occasionally share nerdy deep dives into Bitcoin, longevity hacks, and AI explorations. I'll also sprinkle in some behind-the-scenes from my filmmaking and adventure photography work. Subscribe for free to stay in the loop. I promise to try to keep it interesting. 👉 erinemalone.com
