Put money on your goal and watch yourself follow through
Stake from $5, set your milestones, write a note to your future self. Mr. Remindeeu holds you to it.
Available in the US, Canada, UK and Europe. Updated .
Short answer
A stake goal is a promise with a price. You decide what you will do, by when, and how much it costs you if you do not.
- Minimum stake of $5
- Penalty grows on every default
- A message to your future self on deadline day
A stake goal is a promise with a price. You decide what you will do, by when, and how much it costs you if you do not. Behavioral research on commitment devices has shown for years that people are far more likely to follow through when backing out has a real cost they chose themselves.
On Remindeeu you stake from $5 and break the goal into dated milestones called dots. Every missed dot adds your chosen penalty. On the third default the total goes to Mr. Remindeeu and your counter resets to zero, so one bad week never ruins the whole goal. On deadline day, a message you wrote to your future self lands in your inbox.
Who it is for
- People who keep restarting the same goal every January
- Anyone motivated more by avoiding loss than by rewards
- Habit builders who want a clear rule instead of willpower
- Goal setters who want reminders without a coach
How it works
- Write your goal, promise and future self message
- Add dotting milestones and stake from $5
- Dot every milestone or watch the penalty grow
What you get
Stake from $5
Choose an amount that matters to you.
Your penalty, your rule
At least $2 per default, or more if you want.
Fair resets
After the third default the counter goes back to $0.
Dot reminders
Notified an hour before each milestone.
Future self message
Delivered to your inbox on deadline day.
Stakers community
Group chat plus private messages.
Why it works
- People work harder to avoid a loss than to earn a reward.
- Precommitting removes the daily decision to skip.
- Dated milestones turn a big goal into small, checkable steps.
Tips to get the most from it
- Choose a penalty that stings a little but will not hurt your budget
- Make each dot something you can check honestly in under a minute
- Schedule dots at the time you actually do the habit, not when you hope to
- Use the 7 day pause for travel or illness instead of quietly missing dots
How Remindeeu compares
| Remindeeu | Graph based apps | Habit trackers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Money at stake | Yes | Yes | No |
| Setup effort | Minutes | Ongoing data entry | Minutes |
| Penalty resets | After third default | Varies | Not applicable |
| Community | Group chat | Forum | Rarely |
Frequently asked questions
Where does the penalty money go?
Penalties go to Mr. Remindeeu, the Remindeeu account. Nothing is charged for the first two defaults in a cycle; the accumulated amount is collected on the third, then the counter resets to zero.
Can I change my penalty after I start?
Yes. You can raise your penalty per default at any time from the goal page if the current amount stops motivating you.
What is a commitment contract?
A commitment contract is an agreement with yourself, backed by a consequence if you do not follow through, usually money. Economists call it a commitment device. Remindeeu stake goals are commitment contracts with dated milestones called dots.
Do commitment contracts actually work?
Research suggests they can. In a 2008 JAMA study by Volpp and colleagues, people using a deposit contract lost about 14 pounds in 16 weeks versus about 4 pounds in the control group. Effects can fade after stakes end, so set milestones that last as long as the habit needs.
How much do I need to stake?
The minimum stake is $5. Each missed dot adds at least $2 to your penalty, and you can set a bigger amount per default if you want more pressure.
What happens when I miss a check in?
Your penalty grows by your chosen amount each default. On the third default the total goes to Mr. Remindeeu, the counter resets to $0 and the cycle continues. You get a 12 hour grace period after each due time.
Is this like a betting app?
No. You are not betting against anyone or trying to win money. You choose a penalty for yourself in advance, and you avoid it entirely by doing what you promised.
Can I cheat by dotting without doing it?
Technically yes, which is why stakes work best for goals you truly want. Honest dotting is part of the commitment. If you want outside confirmation, add an accountability partner whose calls are dotted by both of you.
What goals work best with stakes?
Goals with clear, checkable milestones: reading plans, workout days, savings deposits, study sessions, quitting a habit and writing targets. Vague goals such as being happier are hard to dot honestly.
What is the future self message?
When you create a stake goal you write a message to your future self. Remindeeu emails it to you on your deadline, as a reminder of why you started.
Can I pause a stake goal?
Yes, for 1 to 7 days. Your upcoming dots move forward by the same number of days, so pausing never creates defaults.
Do you accept cards from my country?
Yes. Payments are processed by Bachs, which accepts cards issued in every country, including the US, Canada, the UK and all of Europe. Prices are shown in US dollars and your bank converts the amount if your card uses another currency.
Related
- A Beeminder alternative you can set up in two minutes
- Commitment contracts with reminders that actually reach you
- Finish the Bible this year, one dot at a time
- Make your next cigarette cost you
- Show up for every workout or pay for skipping
- Finally finish your reading list