I didn't go to the dentist for a year and a half. And I got 5 cavities.

Surely, the preventative care I avoided was at least a partial cause of this. And by avoiding 2 check-ups that would have cost me $0 (outside my deductible), I had to pay over $300 out-of-pocket for the 5 cavities, with my insurer covering the other $700.

Because of my laziness/fear of dentists, we both lost.

The $0 check-up was not an effective motivator for me. But what if they fined me? What if I agreed to an insurance plan that would fine me $30 if I didn't go to my twice-a-year preventative check-ups?

I would have gone. I would have $300 extra in my pocket right now. And my insurance provider would have an extra $700.

Are we on to something here?

(Yes, I considered the idea of the provider giving me a $30 bonus for going to the appointment, rather than the punishment for not. But, A) that's a worse deal for the insurance provider, so it would be harder to get their buy-in on. B) psychologically, humans have a greater aversion to loss than a motivation for gain, so it would probably be more effective this way as well.)

Ever order a dozen donuts from your favorite donut shop, and then get really disappointed when you open the box with what you ended up with?

Don't order a "random assortment" ever again.

No one likes plain donuts. Absolutely no one. And sure, some people have the occasional favorite oddity like Bavarian Creme. But trying to guess the weird ones for each person in your office will only leave you with a half-full box by day's end.

Here's the reality. The 'average' person prefers a chocolate donut, statistically. So at the very least, if you're in a hurry, order "a dozen random assortment of chocolate donuts."