What if the available amount cannot finish the first priority?
Assign the full amount there, automate the remaining gap, and rerun the order after the next meaningful balance or income change.
CAPITAL ALLOCATION
Where should the next dollar go?
Stop bouncing between goals. Enter the capital available and the gaps competing for it. Get a ranked allocation—not another reading list.
Educational ordering model. It does not account for every tax, legal, plan or liquidity restriction. Verify account eligibility and debt terms before acting.
FIRST PRIORITY—
HOW TO USE THE ORDER
Fund the first unresolved priority before splitting the money everywhere.
The allocator uses a safety-first sequence. It protects immediate cash needs, expensive debt, and employer matching before optional goals. A lower-ranked goal is not unimportant—it is simply not first for these inputs.
Why can retirement rank below cash or debt?
A starter reserve prevents new debt, while very expensive interest can overwhelm expected investment returns. Employer matching moves up because it may provide an immediate return.
When should the order be overridden?
Account deadlines, legal obligations, imminent job loss, required insurance, or plan-specific restrictions can change the sequence. Document the reason rather than improvising.