Carrots & Sticks

I read an article in Money Magazine once (while on the elliptical, so I have no idea what issue, etc. and can't provide a handy link) about how to keep yourself motivated towards your financial goals – and they debated whether carrots or sticks were more effective. Money ultimately recommended a combination of both. So you grant yourself a reward if you make your savings goal, and “dock yourself” in some way if you don’t make the goal. To me, carrots have always worked better, and I’m really not sure how the concept of a money “punishment” would work. But maybe I just have the wrong ones? Anyone have an effective combo of carrots & sticks to keep them motivated? Obviously from my last posts, I could use it.