Major Purchase Decision Framework

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What it is

Applies a structured buy/wait/skip decision framework to any large purchase. Evaluates affordability, needs vs. wants, financing cost, opportunity cost, and timing.

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File: SKILL.md
Length: 312 lines2,589 words, about 12 min read
Category: Personal financemajor purchases
Level: Beginner
License: Apache-2.0

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The Quiet Money CouncilReview spending, career choices, windfalls, family goals, and time priorities to prepare informed next steps.A team of 6 bots

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SKILL.md

312 lines · 2,589 words

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Major Purchase Decision Framework

Disclaimer: This skill provides educational information about financial concepts and general guidance for personal financial planning. It does NOT constitute financial advice, investment recommendations, or tax guidance. Individual financial circumstances vary significantly, and the information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional counsel. Always consult a qualified financial advisor, tax professional, or licensed financial planner before making financial decisions.

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Questions.

What is the Major Purchase Decision Framework skill?

Applies a structured buy/wait/skip decision framework to any large purchase. Evaluates affordability, needs vs. wants, financing cost, opportunity cost, and timing.

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Classification

Definition

Examples

Need

Required for basic function, safety, or livelihood

Replacing a broken appliance, work equipment, transportation

Strong want

Significantly improves quality of life or enables important goals

Upgrade that saves time daily, equipment for a serious hobby

Nice-to-have

Enjoyable but life functions fine without it

Latest model when current works, luxury upgrade

Criterion

Weight (user assigns)

Buy Now

Buy Later

Alternative

Skip

Meets core need

[1-5]

Affordability

[1-5]

Timing advantage

[1-5]

## Major Purchase Decision Analysis ### The Purchase - Item: [description] - Total price (including tax, delivery, etc.): $[amount] - Financing method: [cash / credit / loan at X% for Y months] ### Affordability Check | Test | Result | Status | |------|--------|--------| | Cash available after purchase | $[remaining savings] | [OK / Below emergency fund target] | | Monthly payment (if financed) | $[amount] | [X]% of take-home income | | 30-day rule | [Passed / Not yet -- consider waiting] | [OK / Flag] | | Budget impact | [Fits / Requires cuts to: ____] | [OK / Flag] | ### Needs vs. Wants Classification Classification: [Need / Strong Want / Nice-to-Have] Reasoning: [Why this classification based on user's description] ### True Cost Calculation | Component | Amount | |-----------|-------:| | Purchase price (incl. tax) | $[amount] | | Financing interest | $[amount or $0 if cash] | | Ongoing annual costs | $[amount] * [years] = $[total] | | **Total cost of ownership** | **$[amount]** | **Opportunity Cost:** If invested instead at [user's rate]% for [years] years: $[purchase amount] could grow to $[future value], a difference of $[opportunity cost] **Cost Per Use** (if applicable): $[total cost] / [estimated uses] = $[cost per use] ### Alternatives Explored | Option | Cost | Meets Need? | Tradeoffs | |--------|-----:|-------------|-----------| | Buy new (original plan) | $[amount] | [yes/partially] | [notes] | | Buy used/refurbished | $[amount] | [yes/partially] | [notes] | | Lesser version | $[amount] | [yes/partially] | [notes] | | Rent/borrow | $[amount] | [yes/partially] | [notes] | | Repair current | $[amount] | [yes/partially] | [notes] | | Wait for sale | $[estimate] | [yes/partially] | [notes] | | Skip entirely | $0 | [no] | [notes] | ### Decision Matrix | Criterion | Weight | Buy Now | Buy Later | Alternative | Skip | |-----------|:------:|:-------:|:---------:|:-----------:|:----:| | Meets core need | [W] | [S] | [S] | [S] | [S] | | Affordability | [W] | [S] | [S] | [S] | [S] | | Timing advantage | [W] | [S] | [S] | [S] | [S] | | Total cost | [W] | [S] | [S] | [S] | [S] | | Risk of regret | [W] | [S] | [S] | [S] | [S] | | **Weighted Total** | | **[total]** | **[total]** | **[total]** | **[total]** | ### Summary of Analysis - The total cost of this purchase (including financing and ongoing costs) is $[amount] - This represents [X]% of your monthly income ([X] months of savings) - Your affordability check [passed all tests / flagged: X] - The highest-scoring option in your decision matrix is [option] at [score] - The next-closest option is [option] at [score] ### Questions to Consider - [Specific question about their situation] - [Question about timing or alternatives] - [Question about financial impact] ### Next Steps - [ ] Complete the affordability tests with your actual numbers - [ ] Score the decision matrix based on your personal weights - [ ] If buying: negotiate the best price and terms - [ ] If waiting: set a calendar reminder to reassess in [timeframe] - [ ] If skipping: redirect the money to [savings goal or debt payoff]

Test	Your Numbers	Status
Cash available after purchase	$[savings] - $2,500 = $[remaining]	[Fill in -- is remaining above your emergency fund target?]
Monthly payment (if financed)	$[amount if applicable]	[X]% of take-home income
30-day rule	[Have you wanted this for 30+ days?]	[Fill in]
Budget impact	[Does this fit without cutting essentials?]	[Fill in]

Component	Amount
Purchase price	$2,500
Financing interest	$[0 if cash, calculate if financed]
Ongoing costs (minimal for a desk)	~$0/year
Total cost of ownership	$2,500

Option	Estimated Cost	Meets Need?	Tradeoffs
New standing desk ($2,500)	$2,500	Yes	Full features, warranty
Used/refurbished standing desk	$800-1,500	Likely	May lack warranty, fewer features
Standing desk converter (sits on current desk)	$200-500	Partially	Less range of motion, smaller surface
DIY standing desk modification	$50-200	Partially	Not motorized, less adjustable
Ergonomic accessories for current desk (monitor arm, keyboard tray, mat)	$200-400	Partially	Addresses some ergonomic issues without a new desk
Keep current setup	$0	No ergonomic improvement	No cost, no change

Criterion	Weight	Buy $2,500	Used ~$1,200	Converter ~$350	Keep Current
Meets ergonomic need	[you]	5	4	3	1
Affordability	[you]	2	3	5	5
Timing (need it now?)	[you]	5	3	5	5
Total cost	[you]	1	3	4	5
Risk of regret	[you]	4	3	3	2
Weighted Total		[calculate]	[calculate]	[calculate]	[calculate]

Major Purchase Decision Framework

Teams that use this skill.

More personal finance skills.

The full skill.

Major Purchase Decision Framework

When to Use

Put this skill to work.

Questions.

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Major Purchase Decision Framework

Teams that use this skill.

More personal finance skills.

The full skill.

Major Purchase Decision Framework

When to Use

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Questions.

Give your first job to Murage.

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About this skill.

Process

Output Format

Rules

Edge Cases

Example

Major Purchase Decision Analysis

The Purchase

Affordability Check

Needs vs. Wants Classification

True Cost Calculation

Alternatives Explored

Decision Matrix

Summary

Next Steps

Major Purchase Decision Framework

Teams that use this skill.

More personal finance skills.

The full skill.

Major Purchase Decision Framework

When to Use

Put this skill to work.

Questions.

Give your first job to Murage.

Search murage.ai

Major Purchase Decision Framework

Teams that use this skill.

More personal finance skills.

The full skill.

Major Purchase Decision Framework

When to Use

Put this skill to work.

Questions.

Give your first job to Murage.

Create a bot and use this skill.

Ask Ember to create the bot

Open the bot’s skills

Find Major Purchase Decision Framework and switch it on

Ask the bot for the job

About this skill.

Process

Output Format

Rules

Edge Cases

Example

Major Purchase Decision Analysis

The Purchase

Affordability Check

Needs vs. Wants Classification

True Cost Calculation

Alternatives Explored

Decision Matrix

Summary

Next Steps