Five situations. Each one is a decision you could make this week — a split, an impulse, a favour, an upgrade, a price tag. There's no single right answer. There's just what happens depending on the move you make, and whether you noticed you were making one.
You
Not a character. Every one of these is aimed at you.
Case 2
The Split Decision
50/50 sounds fair. Is it always?
Case 3
The Impulse Window
You have the money. You want it now. What are you actually deciding?
Case 4
The Group Fund
Someone trusts you with the money. What does saying yes actually mean?
Case 5
The Upgrade Trap
More expensive. Must be better, right?
Case 6
The Ask
The thing most people never do.
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Case 2
The Split Decision
You and your friend want to buy a Bluetooth speaker together. It costs $30. Your friend will keep it at their house and use it almost every day. You'll use it maybe once or twice a month when you're over.
1They suggest splitting it 50/50 — $15 each. Pick what you do. All three are real moves; Jodi tells you what each one actually bought.
"Fair doesn't always mean equal. Fair means everyone got a deal that made sense for them."
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Case 3
The Impulse Window
You've been saving for headphones — $60. You've got $58. You're almost there. Then you spot something else: a phone case for $12. You can afford it right now. It sets your savings back to $46.
1What do you do? Buy it, wait, or ask to see the actual maths first. Thinking it through isn't a decision yet — you still have to make the call after.
The impulse window
Most impulse buys feel most urgent in the first twenty minutes. Two days later, most people want the thing much less — or not at all. And this one doesn't just cost $12. It puts you $14 back from a goal you were $2 from. That's probably two more weeks.
Now — with that on the table. What do you do?
"You're not choosing between buying it or not. You're choosing how much your future self gets a vote."
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Case 4
The Group Fund
Your friend group — six of you — wants to pool $60 for something, $10 each. Someone says: "You should hold the money and track who's paid." They mean it as a compliment. You're responsible. People trust you.
1Set your terms, then decide. Flip any of the conditions on or off — the button underneath changes to match what you're actually agreeing to.
"Saying yes to responsibility without saying what comes with it isn't generosity — it's just setting yourself up."
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Case 5
The Upgrade Trap
You need a new backpack for school. Two options at the store. You can afford either one.
1You get two looks before you buy — spend them however you like, or don't. The buy buttons work the whole time.
Looks remaining: 2
Option A
$18
Basic. Has the compartments you need. Solid reviews.
Option B
$45
More pockets, waterproof, brand name.
"The question isn't 'can I afford the good one.' It's 'what does the good one actually do that I'll actually use?'"
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Case 6
The Ask
You're at a local shop. You find a phone case you actually want — it's $20. When you pick it up you notice the packaging is dented and one corner has a small scuff. Not broken. Just not pristine. The tag still says $20.
1What do you do? Pay it, ask, or look at the worst case first. Looking isn't a decision — you still have to make one after.
The ask maths
Best case: they say yes, or meet you in the middle. Realistic: they say no. Nothing changes. Worst case: a slightly awkward fifteen seconds. Then it's over.
Now what?
"The answer is always no until you ask. And 'no' is exactly where you already were."
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Case 7
Before You Go
How was this one?
Money Lab Cleared
You Made the Calls
A split, an impulse, a group fund, an upgrade, an ask. Five ordinary moments, and you actually decided each one instead of defaulting.
MINTED IN DOSSIER
Money as a Skill Foundation
8 scenarios completed
Covers the principles behind 8 scenarios in the 24-scenario Real World Ready Challenge.
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Where to, Agent?
You can pick this back up anytime.
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Only cases you've already cleared are open for review.
