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Roadmap rules

The roadmap is a 12-stage framework built from versioned, deterministic rules. Each rule cites the facts it depends on (e.g. limit_401k_employee) and is regression-tested against ten reference households.

The 12 stages

  1. Stage 1
    Stabilize Cash Flow

    Spend less than you earn and get current on bills.

  2. Stage 2
    Build Emergency Protection

    Build a starter then full emergency fund.

  3. Stage 3
    Eliminate Toxic Debt

    Wipe out high-APR consumer debt.

  4. Stage 4
    Capture Employer Match

    Contribute enough to get the full employer match.

  5. Stage 5
    Max Tax-Advantaged Accounts

    Fill HSA, IRA, and 401(k) up to legal limits.

  6. Stage 6
    Optimize Taxes

    Use placement, harvesting, and Roth strategy.

  7. Stage 7
    Build Taxable Wealth

    Invest the surplus in a brokerage account.

  8. Stage 8
    Accelerate Financial Independence

    Pursue Coast/Lean/Full FI.

  9. Stage 9
    Protect & Preserve Wealth

    Insurance, estate, withdrawal strategy.

  10. Stage 10
    Work-Optional Bridge

    Build the taxable bridge, healthcare plan, and bucket strategy that gets you from work to work-optional.

  11. Stage 11
    Retirement Paycheck Strategy

    Withdrawal order, Roth conversion windows, Social Security and Medicare timing.

  12. Stage 12
    Legacy and Generational Wealth

    Estate plan, beneficiaries, charitable giving, and family money education.

What every recommendation carries

  • Inputs used — the exact profile fields the rule consumed.
  • Rule applied — a plain-English summary of the firing condition.
  • Confidence — low, medium, or high based on data completeness.
  • Missing data — fields that, if added, would refine the recommendation.
  • Assumptions — model inputs like a 4% safe withdrawal rate.
  • Effective date — and the source facts the rule depends on.
  • What would change this — the next change that flips the recommendation.

FAQ

Is the AI making the recommendations?
No. Every recommendation comes from a deterministic, versioned rule. The optional Next Move AI only explains rule output.
Can I see why a recommendation was made?
Yes. Every recommendation shows the inputs used, the rule applied, the confidence level, missing data, assumptions, and what would change the answer.
Do you walk me through all 12 stages?
No — the roadmap is adaptive. We surface your current stage, the neighbors before and after, and any advanced stages or specialty tracks that are relevant to your profile.
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