diff --git a/static/js/reconcile_pledge.js b/static/js/reconcile_pledge.js
index 9291d82e..e1df29f3 100644
--- a/static/js/reconcile_pledge.js
+++ b/static/js/reconcile_pledge.js
@@ -9,43 +9,59 @@ $j(function() {
 // when they fix it, revert to original styling and reactivate button
 
 $j().ready(function() {
+	// cache these to speed things up
 	var inputbox = $j('#id_preapproval_amount');
 	var submitbutton = $j('#pledgesubmit');
 	
+	var canonicalize = function(amt) {
+		// takes an input button from the premiums list
+		// finds the premium amount its associated the span class
+		// converts to usable integer form and returns
+		amt = amt.siblings('span.menu-item-price').html();
+		amt = amt.split('$')[1];
+		amt = parseInt(amt);
+		return amt;
+	}
+	
+	var mayday = function() {
+		// highlights pledge box and submit button in alert color
+		// disables submit button and overwrites with help text
+		inputbox.css({'border-color': '#e35351', 'background-color': '#e35351', 'color': 'white'});
+		submitbutton.css({'background-color': '#e35351', 'cursor': 'default', 'font-weight': 'normal', 'font-size': '15px'});
+		submitbutton.val("You must pledge at least $"+amount+" for that premium");
+		submitbutton.attr('disabled', 'disabled');
+	}
+	
+	var allclear = function() {
+		// returns pledge box and submit button to conventional colors
+		// enables submit button and rewrites with original text
+		inputbox.css({'border-color': '#8dc63f', 'background-color': 'white', 'color': '#3d4e53'});
+		submitbutton.css({'background-color': '#8dc63f', 'cursor': 'pointer', 'font-weight': 'bold', 'font-size': '17px'});
+		submitbutton.val("Modify Pledge");
+		submitbutton.removeAttr('disabled');
+	}
+	
 	$j('#premiums_list input').on("click", function() {
-		amount = $j(this).siblings('span.menu-item-price').html();
-		amount = amount.split('$')[1];
-		amount = parseInt(amount);
+		// when user clicks a premium, ensure it is compatible with the pledge box amount
+		amount = canonicalize($j(this));
 		current = inputbox.val();
 		if (current<amount) {
-			inputbox.css({'border-color': '#e35351', 'background-color': '#e35351', 'color': 'white'});
-			submitbutton.css({'background-color': '#e35351', 'cursor': 'default', 'font-weight': 'normal', 'font-size': '15px'});
-			submitbutton.val("You must pledge at least $"+amount+" for that premium");
-			submitbutton.attr('disabled', 'disabled');
+			mayday();
 		} else if (submitbutton.attr('disabled')) {
-			inputbox.css({'border-color': '#8dc63f', 'background-color': 'white', 'color': '#3d4e53'});
-			submitbutton.css({'background-color': '#8dc63f', 'cursor': 'pointer', 'font-weight': 'bold', 'font-size': '17px'});
-			submitbutton.val("Modify Pledge");
-			submitbutton.removeAttr('disabled');
+			allclear();
 		}
 	});
 	
 	inputbox.keyup(function() {
+		// when user changes the pledge box contents, ensure they are compatible
+		// with the selected pledge
 		current = $j(this).val();
-		amount = $j('input[type=radio]:checked').siblings('span.menu-item-price').html();
-		amount = amount.split('$')[1];
-		amount = parseInt(amount);
+		amount = canonicalize($j('input[type=radio]:checked'));
 		current = inputbox.val();
 		if (current<amount) {
-			inputbox.css({'border-color': '#e35351', 'background-color': '#e35351', 'color': 'white'});
-			submitbutton.css({'background-color': '#e35351', 'cursor': 'default', 'font-weight': 'normal', 'font-size': '15px'});
-			submitbutton.val("You must pledge at least $"+amount+" for that premium");
-			submitbutton.attr('disabled', 'disabled');
+			mayday();
 		} else if (submitbutton.attr('disabled')) {
-			inputbox.css({'border-color': '#8dc63f', 'background-color': 'white', 'color': '#3d4e53'});
-			submitbutton.css({'background-color': '#8dc63f', 'cursor': 'pointer', 'font-weight': 'bold', 'font-size': '17px'});
-			submitbutton.val("Modify Pledge");
-			submitbutton.removeAttr('disabled');
+			allclear();
 		}
 	});
 });
\ No newline at end of file