Should I put money into that?
The Chapter 11 temptation calculator. Someone showed you an opportunity — an AI stock, a medtech theme fund, a friend's startup, a buy-in — and it feels informed rather than speculative. This screen runs the question against the durable core: diversify, buy cheap funds, keep the savings rate high, and never let one theme carry your job, your portfolio, and your tilt at the same time.
For education and entertainment only, not investment advice. This screen cannot know the deal, the price, or your balance sheet. A real decision gets made against your written plan, with a fee-only fiduciary advisor and, for anything private or structured, a lawyer and a CPA.
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1 the temptation
What is it?
2 the foundation check
Is the boring machine already running?
Chapter 10's rules come first. A tilt is something you consider after the durable core is funded and written down — never instead of it.
3 the sniff tests
How the pitch behaves
4 the same-bet count
Is this the theme your paycheck already rides?
You are exposed to the AI theme at least twice before this decision: your clinical income is already a position on how AI plays out, and your index funds lean on the same mega-cap names. The question is whether this opportunity makes it three.
Does the opportunity rise and fall with the same forces as your job — AI, health technology, your own industry?
5 the sizing
Run the wrongness test
The book's test has no percentage in it: the position must be small enough that if you are completely wrong, it does not change your retirement. If it can move your plan, it's already too big.
Would any of it be borrowed?
Companion to The Income Variable, Chapter 11. For education and entertainment; not investment, legal, or tax advice. Your answers are not saved by this tool.