Violations of Present-value Maximization in Income Choice

We report results of an experiment testing for present-value maximization in intertemporal income choice. Two-thirds of subjects did not maximize present value. Through a series of experimental manipulations that impose costs on non-present value maximizers, we are able to reduce the level of violations substantially. We find, however, that a sizebable proportion of subjects continue to systematically violate present value principles. Our interpretation is that these subjects either cannot or chose not to distinguish between income and expenditure in making their choices. Self-management, bounded rationality, and sequence preference are suggested as possible explanations for such behavior.