We all face choices that pit now against later: spend or save, start a project or put it off, indulge today or stay healthy for the future. This chapter looks at how people actually make those trade‑offs—and why the simple, rational model that economists used for decades often does not match real behaviour. You will learn how discounting models work, from the classic exponential to the more psychologically realistic hyperbolic and quasi‑hyperbolic versions. You will also see a collection of surprising patterns that show just how rich our relationship with time really is.