At Monval, we believe that financial strength starts with clarity. To build long-term wealth, you need more than good habits—you need a strategy. One that’s credible, coherent, and focused on overcoming your biggest financial hurdles.

This approach is inspired by strategist Richard Rumelt and product leader Julie Zhuo, who break strategy down into four essential parts:

• A clear objective — Know what success looks like.
• A diagnosis of key hurdles — Focus on the real problems holding you back.
• Credible, coherent planning — Your plan must make sense and be achievable.
• Concrete actions — Strategy isn’t theory—it’s what you do.

Hurdle: Lack of basic financial education

Actions:

• Sign up for a tool like FiStatus to track net worth and cash flow.
• Learn the key terms and principles of personal finance.

Hurdle: Difficulty saying no to unnecessary spending

Actions:

• Use the 50/20/30 budgeting rule as a guide.
• Start thinking like an investor, not a consumer.
• Audit your expenses monthly—cut what doesn’t serve your goals.

Hurdle: Lack of saving habits

Actions:

• Learn what counts as liquid assets.
• Understand your monthly baseline expenses.
• Begin saving a fixed amount each month until you reach 3–6 months of reserves.

Hurdle: Habitual overspending and credit reliance

Actions:

• Learn how to budget effectively.
• Stop using credit to fund lifestyle purchases.
• Use tools like 0% interest balance transfers (with a payoff plan).

Hurdle: Uncertainty around how much to invest and where

Actions:

• Educate yourself on investment types.
• Max out retirement accounts (like IRAs and 401(k)s).
• Invest your monthly surplus consistently.

Hurdle: Navigating retirement expenses and lifestyle

Actions:

• Plan for healthcare, taxes, and family support.
• Withdraw from retirement accounts responsibly.
• Live within your means and adjust as needed.