Financial Order of Operations
Figure out where you actually stand financially.
Most people make financial decisions without a framework. The FOO gives you a proven 9-step sequence — so every dollar works as hard as possible, in the right order.
The Problem
Financial advice is everywhere.
A clear path is not.
Without a framework, most people either over-optimize one area while leaving easy wins on the table — or freeze entirely and do nothing.
Paying off debt while missing free money
Throwing extra cash at a 5% loan while leaving a 100% employer match on the table.
Investing before your safety net exists
Building a brokerage portfolio with no emergency fund — one bad month undoes years of gains.
No idea what to do next
Paralyzed by conflicting advice from Reddit, podcasts, and well-meaning relatives.
The Solution
9 steps.
Track your progress.
Build lasting wealth.
The Financial Order of Operations, developed by Brian Preston and Bo Hanson of The Money Guy Show, gives you a prioritized sequence for every financial decision — from your first paycheck to financial independence.
Follow the steps in order. Each one unlocks the next. When you're unsure what to do with a dollar, the FOO tells you exactly where it belongs.
The Framework
All 9 Steps
Each step builds on the last. Work through them in order — skip ahead and you leave money on the table.
Highest Deductible
Keep enough cash on hand to cover your highest insurance deductible. Before any other financial move, protect yourself from a crisis.
Employer Match
Capture every dollar of free employer match in your 401(k) or 403(b). This is an instant 50–100% return — nothing else competes.
High-Interest Debt
Aggressively pay off debt above ~6% interest. Credit cards, personal loans — eliminate these before investing further.
Emergency Reserves
Build 3–6 months of living expenses in liquid savings. Your financial safety net before the wealth-building phase begins.
Roth IRA & HSA
Max out your Roth IRA and health savings account. Tax-free growth is among the most powerful tools available to you.
Max-Out Employer Plans
Go beyond the match — fill your 401(k), 403(b), or 457 to the IRS limit. Pre-tax dollars compound quietly for decades.
Hyper-Accumulation
Invest 25%+ of gross income across all accounts. This is the wealth-multiplying phase where financial freedom is built.
Prepay Future Expenses
Fund college savings (529), a home down payment, or other large planned purchases. Dream goals get a dedicated lane.
Low-Interest Debt & Beyond
Prepay a mortgage or other low-rate debt if it brings you peace of mind. Every financial decision is now truly optional.
Get Started
Know exactly what to do
with your next dollar.
Answer a few questions and we'll show you exactly where you stand in the Financial Order of Operations — and what your next move should be.