harterrt

I did something similar for myself based on TagTime [1] from the same folks who made beeminder.

I'd suggest not enforcing a minimum spacing between samplings. The minimum spacing tends to push samplings towards the ends and center of the day. It also gives the randomness memory. I noticed when I was sampling myself, my behavior would subtly change after a sampling when I knew I wouldn't be sampled for a little while. Although, I don't think this would cause a meaningful problem in your context.

Thanks for the writeup! Very interesting.

That's not true if your tax rate changes over time, which it probably will. Specifically, when you withdraw during retirement it is likely you will not be earning much and your tax rate will be much lower than when you were working full time.

Reminds me of Kurt Vonnegut's concept that ideas are a form of social currency. Agreeing with somebody makes them your friend and disagreeing makes them your enemy. He suggests that this is why bad ideas don't die in Breakfast of Champions

In this situation the guard only knows the answer (or x value) once the spy gives it to him or her.