BOSS: The Algorithm

Lesson 12 of 12 in our free Money Mindset guide: a 5-minute money game with the key points below.

This lesson is in the full version.

Free with a code from your uni, college, council, landlord or employer (worth £600/year). Lesson 1 of Money Mindset is free for everyone.

Questions you'll answer

Final question: an ad hits you with 'only 2 left', a crossed-out price and '10k people bought this'. Best response?

Red flag: “Bro I was broke at 19, now I'm on a yacht” — Survivorship bias and a lifestyle flex. You only see the one who 'made it'.
Red flag: “My mentoring course is £997 — but it was £2,500 last week” — Anchoring. The old price is there to make £997 feel cheap.
Red flag: “5,000 students joined already” — Social proof. Lots of buyers says nothing about results.
Red flag: “Doors close in 2 hours” — FOMO countdown. Real opportunities don't need a timer.
Myth: “If lots of people online recommend something, it's probably a good deal.” — Social proof can be faked, paid for, or just wrong. Check independently.
Myth: “A 'was' price is a reliable guide to what something is worth.” — It's an anchor. Judge the current price on its own.
Fact: “Having pre-set Money Rules makes it easier to resist pressure in the moment.” — Decide calmly in advance, so you don't have to decide under pressure.
Fact: “Finfluencers selling courses may earn more from the courses than from their 'strategy'.” — If the product is the course, you're the income stream.