Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/252020 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2021
Series/Report no.: 
CESifo Working Paper No. 9503
Publisher: 
Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo), Munich
Abstract: 
This paper introduces the matched-bet mechanism. The matched bet is an easily applicable and strictly budget-balanced mechanism that aims to help people overcome time-inconsistent behavior. I show theoretically that offering a matched bet helps both sophisticated and naive procrastinators to reduce time-inconsistent behavior. A field experiment on exercising confirms the theoretical predictions: offering a matched bet has a significant positive effect on gym attendance. Self-reported procrastinators are significantly more likely to take up the matched bet. Overall, the matched bet proves a promising device to help people not to procrastinate.
Subjects: 
monetary incentives
market design
field experiment
health behavior
JEL: 
C93
D47
F90
I12
Document Type: 
Working Paper
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