Laibson, David2010-10-141997David Laibson. 1997. Golden eggs and hyperbolic discounting. Quarterly Journal of Economics 112(2): 443-477.0033-5533http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:4481499Hyperbolic discount functions induce dynamically inconsistent preferences, implying a motive for consumers to constrain their own future choices. This paper analyzes the decisions of a hyperbolic consumer who has access to an imperfect commitment technology: an illiquid asset whose sale must be initiated one period before the sale proceeds are received. The model predicts that consumption tracks income, and the model explains why consumers have asset-specific marginal propensities to consume. The model suggests that financial innovation may have caused the ongoing decline in U. S. savings rates, since financial innovation in- creases liquidity, eliminating commitment opportunities. Finally, the model implies that financial market innovation may reduce welfare by providing “too much” liquidity.en-USJournal Article2010-10-1410.1162/003355397555253