Where should my next dollar go?
Follow the 'Financial Order of Operations' to maximize your wealth building journey.
Financial Order of Operations
Answer YES sequentially to discover your optimal next financial step.
Are you getting your full employer 401(k) match?
Is all debt above 7-8% interest paid off?
Do you have 3-6 months of living expenses saved?
Are you maxing out your Roth IRA & HSA?
Are you maxing out employer retirement plans?
Are you investing 25% of your gross income?
Are you saving for kids college or an upcoming home?
Are you prepaying your mortgage or low interest debt?
The Financial Order of Operations
This tool is based on standard personal finance advice that prioritizes financial security before aggressive wealth accumulation.
Why order matters
Building wealth is about maximizing the utility of every dollar. By mathematically comparing the return of investments versus the cost of debt or risk of disaster, you can objectively determine your most optimal next move.
The Foundation
Before aggressively investing, you must build a safety net to prevent life's unpredictable moments from forcing you into high-interest debt, which acts as a massive drag on compounding wealth.
Free Money First
If your employer offers a 401(k) match, it is an immediate 100% return on your investment. There is no other legal way to double your money instantly, so this takes priority over almost everything else.
Tax Advantages
Utilize accounts like Roth IRAs and HSAs before standard brokerage accounts. Tax-free growth dramatically outperforms taxable growth over decades of compounding.