How Does Being Lazy Work For Me?

I recently got an email saying that if I didn't have my tuition paid by yesterday that I couldn't pick up my cap and gown. Sadly, I still owe $350, which I have in the bank, but Friday was my last day at work, and that leaves me with $50 for the whole summer, and I'll be darned if I have to dip into savings.

This is my 5th year of college and while I have enjoyed it, this victory lap is costing me virtually every dollar I earn, even with huge discounts. For this reason, I am living at home. However, I have not bent my lifestyle to meet my parents' standards, and it's been fine. They don't care if I'm out late or if I dont come home. In fact, I recently went for 3 days without seeing them and they weren't too phased. We get along well. Very well. Except for the issue of my room.

I like having a clean room, but the price of picking up isn't worth it. Unfortunately my roommates are pretty tidy. So, every month or so, my roommate makes a threat -

"You have until Sunday to have your room picked up, or I'm charging you rent - $300."
or
"You cannot leave this house until I can see the floor in your room."

Notice these are all negative reinforcements that force me to clean and be on the defensive. However, this morning when I woke up, my roommate had a new threat:

"If your room is spotless by the end of today, I will give you $300 to help pay your tuition."

This proactive offer shocked me. I am not being threatened. I am a force to be reckoned with! She is paying me to do what I already should have done!

The tables had turned and I immediately began picking up. Her threat worked, though it won't encourage me to keep a clean room. She has reinforced my slobbish behavior.

I know she will never offer another threat like this one, so I'm taking it to town, despite my slight feelings of guilt and dependence.

So before you all move home this summer, remember to ask yourself,
How does being lazy work for me?