Frequently Asked Questions

Decide Your Money is a personal finance method built on five rules for making better spending and saving decisions. It is not an app or a budget tracker. It is a decision framework — a set of rules you apply before you spend.

Rule 1 (Pause Before You Pay): a 10-second decision filter you apply before any non-essential purchase. You will stop buying things you regret. Rule 2 (Rate It or Cut It): a simple way to review every recurring expense and keep only what makes you happy. Most people save hundreds a month. Rule 3 (Save First. Always.): a method for automating savings before you see the money and gradually increasing the amount over time. Rule 4 (Invest Simply. Invest Always.): a simple, proven approach to investing that outperforms most professional investors over time. No finance knowledge needed. Rule 5 (Spot the 10 red flags before they cost you): the 10 predictable habits your brain falls for when money is involved. Once you can name them, you stop falling for the same decisions.

Anyone who wants a simple, proven system for managing money without complexity or deprivation. The method has been tested across three continents and works across income levels.

No. The Decide Your Money method and all content on this site is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial professional before making financial decisions.

Most budgeting apps track what you have already spent. Decide Your Money is a framework for deciding before you spend. It changes how you think about money, not just how you record it.

The 10-Second Money Method is a digital PDF guide that explains all five rules in full detail, with examples, implementation steps, and real-world applications. It is written in plain language with no jargon and no app required.

$47 USD — one-time payment, no subscription.

After completing your purchase through Stripe, you will receive an email with a download link. Check your spam folder if it does not arrive within a few minutes.

Yes. If you are not satisfied, use our contact form at /contact within 14 days of purchase and we will issue a full refund. No questions asked.

No. The guide is a PDF. You can read it on any device — phone, tablet, or computer.

Use the contact form at /contact. We respond within 2 business days.

The Money Decision Index is a free, plain-English catalogue of the financial decisions people make every day, and the cognitive biases behind them. Each entry names a decision you have probably faced, explains the bias driving it, and shows what to do differently the next time it shows up.

Use it two ways. Before a financial decision, check if a relevant decision pattern applies to your situation. Or browse by category to learn which biases shape everyday decisions in banking, shopping, travel, and insurance. The aim is to give you a 10-second filter, not a long study session. Used regularly, it builds the habit of pausing before any financial decision and asking yourself what is really going on in your head.

Because most money problems are not problems of income. They are problems of behaviour. The cognitive biases that shape financial decisions are well documented in academic research but rarely translated into plain language. The catalogue closes that gap, so anyone can recognise the bias behind a decision before it costs them.

The catalogue describes universal decision patterns that apply across providers, sectors, and countries. The biases work the same way whether you are dealing with a major bank, a small fintech, or a retailer. Describing patterns instead of singling out companies keeps the catalogue useful as a decision tool regardless of where you are or which provider you use.

Use the contact form and select 'Money Decision Index, feedback or correction' from the dropdown. Tell us which decision pattern, which detail, and (if possible) link to a source that supports the correction.

No. The Money Decision Index is general educational information. It does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs. Decide Your Money is not a licensed Australian Financial Services Licensee, is not authorised by the UK Financial Conduct Authority, and is not a registered investment adviser in the United States. Consult a qualified professional licensed in your jurisdiction before making any financial decision.