Start →
Problem
Monetary System How the System Works What Is the Fed? Federal Reserve History The Petrodollar World Reserve Currency The Gold Standard Consequences Inflation Types Cost of Living National Debt Social Security Sanctions & Money Shrinkflation View all in The Problem →
Bitcoin
Learn Why Bitcoin Bitcoin for Beginners How Money Works CBDCs Stablecoins Gold vs Bitcoin Practice How to Buy Bitcoin Dollar-Cost Averaging Bitcoin Allocation Hardware Wallets Lightning Network Bitcoin Taxes (US) View all in Bitcoin →
Money
Foundation Order of Operations How to Actually Budget Where to Bank Credit Card Strategy Investing for Beginners Index Funds Income & Tax Salary Negotiation HSA Backdoor Roth Reference Life Stages Financial Numbers Glossary View all in Money →
Tools
Featured All Tools (78) Tax Estimator Cost of Living Savings Rate to FI Retirement Am I On Track? FIRE Calculator Compound Interest Money Paycheck Allocator Emergency Fund Bitcoin DCA Calculator Bitcoin vs S&P 500 View all tools →
Tools · Financial Order of Operations
UPDATED APRIL 2026

Financial Order of Operations:
Which step are you on?

The 9-step sequence for what to do with your next dollar. Answer five questions to find your current step and what to prioritize. Based on the Money Guy Show framework ×DON'T TRUST, VERIFYClaim: The 9-step Financial Order of Operations is published by Money Guy Show.Verify at: Money Guy Show: Financial Order of Operations ↗Money Guy Show is a CFP-led RIA. The FOO is publicly documented at the linked URL..

Worked example: You have a $1,000/month employer 401(k) match you are not fully capturing, and $4,000 in credit card debt at 22% APRAnnual Percentage Rate (APR)The yearly cost of borrowing money, shown as a percentage.Full definition. Step 2 (capture the full match) comes before Step 3 (high-interest debt). The match is an instant 50-100% return; the debt is 22% interest. Max the match first, then attack the debt.

FIVE QUESTIONS
Do you have cash equal to your total insurance deductibles (auto + health + home or renters)?
YOUR CURRENT STEP
Answer the questions on the left to find your step.
How this tool works
  • This is a decision tree, not a calculator. The 5-8 yes/no questions route you to the FOO step that matches your current situation.
  • The framework is from Money Guy Show, a CFP-led RIA firm. The 9 steps are publicly documented at moneyguy.com/guide/foo/.
  • FOO is not a strict sequence. Life interrupts. If something pushes you back a step, that is expected. The framework tells you where to send your next dollar once you stabilize.
  • The site's existing 8-step order at /personal-finance/order-of-operations/ starts with a $1,000 starter emergency fund instead of full deductible coverage. Both frameworks have merit; pick the one that fits your situation.

Related

→ Order of Operations · the 8-step site framework with FOO comparison → Personal Finance Hub → Budgeting → Deductible Coverage Calculator · calculate your Step 1 target

Not financial advice. Decision tool, not investment advice. Consult a fee-only fiduciaryfiduciaryA person legally required to act in your best financial interest. Fee-only financial advisors are fiduciaries; commission-based advisors may not be.Full definition for advice on your specific situation.