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* hosting a free Helpout meant dealing with constant no-shows [2]. I started charging $1/hour and then refunding it to folks who showed up.

You've solved the MOOC attendance problem, with this.

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It's a pretty classic strategy, relatives of mine have utilized it with tenants that had problems paying rent on time.

"Your rent is now $800 instead of $600, but if you pay it by the 3rd then we'll refund you $200."

One word: illegal. Sounds like a smart way to incentivize, but those relatives of yours are seriously risking the worst type of landlord-tenant conflict. If the tenant can provide some form of proof of this extortion... it will not have been worth the attempt.

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