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Show HN: I made a site that lets you punish yourself

punishme.app

11–20 of 53 posts

Re: Show HN: I made a site that lets you punish yourself

#11
It would be more interesting if you pre-approved the transaction for some set date in the future (the task due date), which you cancel on completion of the task.

This also guarantees "punishment" in the event that you forget about it.

I would genuinely consider using something like this iff ~90% of the money went to a charity of my choice (with the rest as a platform/transaction fee)

Re: Show HN: I made a site that lets you punish yourself

#12
I'm literally doing this same idea currently but I pay a friend instead. They are under no obligation to give me my money back at a later date and I'm not expecting them to. The key is that I have to give them cash, so every time I check in with them and have not completed my goal, I have to take out my wallet, grab the money, and hand it to them.

My first check in for the year is coming up this weekend and I'm not looking forward to even going to the ATM, much less paying them if I didn't meet my goal!

Re: Show HN: I made a site that lets you punish yourself

#14

The idea is humorous. However, - The incentives are misaligned. - Meta studies in behavioural psychology show you learn from success not mistakes. Good luck

I feel like my entire life experience invalidates that second point.

Re: Show HN: I made a site that lets you punish yourself

#16
post #11

It would be more interesting if you pre-approved the transaction for some set date in the future (the task due date), which you cancel on completion of the task. This also guarantees "punishment" in the event that you forget about it. I would genuinely consider using something like this iff ~90% of the money went to a charity of my choice (with the rest as a platform/transaction fee)

So just schedule a bank transfer to your charity? 100% will go to them if you don't cancel.

Re: Show HN: I made a site that lets you punish yourself

#17

The idea is humorous. However, - The incentives are misaligned. - Meta studies in behavioural psychology show you learn from success not mistakes. Good luck

I feel like my entire life experience invalidates that second point.

That's probably just a coping mechanism

Re: Show HN: I made a site that lets you punish yourself

#19
post #11

It would be more interesting if you pre-approved the transaction for some set date in the future (the task due date), which you cancel on completion of the task. This also guarantees "punishment" in the event that you forget about it. I would genuinely consider using something like this iff ~90% of the money went to a charity of my choice (with the rest as a platform/transaction fee)

There is a time window for how long you can hold an authorization on cards otherwise it’ll expire. IIRC, 30 days is standard for most payment processors. Longer term goals would require a charge and a refund, and most processors still charge fees even if the amount is refunded.
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