Forfeit: Money Accountability 2.11.20

Forfeit is an accountability app that utilizes the scientifically proven concept of Habit Contracts, which has gained popularity through books like Atomic Habits. The app is designed to motivate users by implementing a financial penalty for failing to complete their desired habits.

With over 20,000 users, Forfeit has achieved an impressive success rate of 94% on more than 75,000 forfeits, resulting in a total stake of over $1 million.

HOW IT WORKS

1. Set your forfeit: Define the task or habit you want to complete, along with a deadline and the amount of money you are willing to lose if you fail.
2. Submit your evidence: Provide proof of completing your habit using various methods outlined below. This could include photos, timelapse videos, self-verification, friend verification, GPS check-ins, web tracking limits, Apple Health activities, Strava runs, Whoop activities, MyFitnessPal meals, and more.
3. Or you lose money: If you fail to submit evidence on time, you will incur a financial penalty. However, failed forfeits can be appealed if they are due to external circumstances rather than a lack of willpower.

VERIFICATION METHODS

• Photo: Capture a photo of the completed task and use AI verification to ensure it matches your description. Examples include tasks like going to the gym, achieving inbox zero, completing Duolingo lessons, submitting homework, or taking medication.
• Timelapse: Record a timelapse video of yourself performing the task and have it verified by a human reviewer. This method is suitable for tasks like meditating, following a nighttime routine, stretching, or working for a specific duration.
• Self-Verify: Simply confirm if you completed the task without requiring additional evidence. This method is ideal for habits like abstaining from smoking, drinking, vaping, or any other activity.
• Friend-Verify: Have an accountability buddy attest to whether or not you completed the task. This can be used for habits such as avoiding drinking, keeping the phone away at home, or refraining from eating junk food.
• Apple Health: Set a goal within the Apple Health app that must be reached by a specific threshold (e.g., 10,000 steps). Numerous apps sync with Apple Health, allowing you to set targets for tasks like step counts, meditation durations, bike rides, or daily calorie intake.
• GPS Check-in: Define a GPS location that you must be within a certain range of by the task deadline. This method can be used to ensure check-ins at locations like the gym, punctuality at work, or returning home by a specific time.
• GPS Avoid: Set a location that you must not be within a specified radius of by the task deadline. This could be useful for avoiding places like bars on weekends or leaving the house at certain times.
• RescueTime integration: Forfeit syncs with RescueTime, a web-based time-tracking app, to monitor your usage of websites and desktop applications. You can set thresholds to limit time spent on sites like Reddit or prioritize work-related tools like VSCode or Gmail.
• Pomodoro timer: Utilize a timer that will automatically mark the task as failed if you interrupt it. Ideal for tasks such as working for specific time intervals, meditating, or studying.

OTHER FEATURES

• X days/week: Set forfeits to recur a certain number of times per week (e.g., workout 3 times per week).
• Certain days/week: Schedule forfeits to occur only on specific days (e.g., weekdays or Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays).
• Appeal anything: If you need to skip a submission, you can submit an appeal which will be reviewed by a human within a few hours.
• Varying leniency modes: Depending on your chosen leniency mode (lenient, normal, hard), you may or may not be required to provide evidence to support your appeal. Hard mode does not allow any appeals.
• Text accountability: In the event of a failure, a text message will be sent to your selected friends, notifying them of your slip-up.

COMING SOON

• Screen Time integration: Integration with Screen Time features to monitor and limit device usage.
• AI Accountability Coach: An AI-powered coach to provide personalized guidance and support in achieving your goals.
• Social forfeits with friends: The ability to participate in forfeits with friends, enhancing accountability and fostering healthy competition.