Essay

The Endowment Effect on Consumption Smoothing

Two recent graduates, Alex and Ben, have identical preferences for spending money now versus in the future; they share the same degree of impatience. Alex starts a high-paying job immediately, earning $80,000 this year, but knows he will be taking a year off for travel next year with no income. Ben is starting a graduate program with a stipend of only $20,000 this year but has a guaranteed job contract for $100,000 starting next year. Analyze how and why their financial behaviors (borrowing, saving) will likely differ in the current year, despite their identical intrinsic impatience. In your analysis, explain the role their initial endowments play in their decisions to smooth consumption.

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Updated 2025-09-24

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