pm-decoders

Decode a 401k or workplace retirement plan — the real cost of its funds, the match's fine print, vesting math, and the plan features worth using or avoiding. Use when someone asks 'is my 401k any good', 'decode my 401k plan', 'which funds should I look at', or 'what fees am I paying'. Produces a fee decode in dollars-over-time, match and vesting math, a fund-lineup triage by cost, and the questions for HR or the plan administrator.

Decode an auto repair estimate — what each line actually is, which items are urgent vs upsell, and the questions that separate a fair shop from a fishing expedition. Use when someone asks 'is this repair quote fair', 'decode my mechanic's estimate', 'do I really need all this', or 'is the shop ripping me off'. Produces a line-by-line decode with urgency triage, parts/labor sanity checks, ranked red flags, and the exact questions to ask the shop before authorizing.

Decode an employment benefits package into what it's actually worth and where the fine print bites. Use when someone asks 'is this offer good', 'decode my benefits package', 'what does my equity actually mean', or 'what should I ask HR before signing'. Produces a benefit-by-benefit decode with real dollar values, ranked red flags (vesting cliffs, clawbacks, 'discretionary' bonuses, unlimited-PTO economics), and the questions to ask HR before signing.

Decode a car lease offer — the money factor converted to APR, the cap-cost math, mileage and disposition traps, and what to negotiate. Use when asked to decode my car lease, is this lease deal good, what's a money factor, or review this lease before I sign. Produces the real-numbers decode (money factor → APR, total lease cost), the trap list with dollar exposure, and the negotiation points dealers expect to concede.

Decode an insurance claim denial letter — what the cited reason actually means, whether it's commonly overturnable, and the appeal letter that answers it point by point. Use when someone asks 'my insurance claim was denied what do I do', 'decode this denial letter', 'can I appeal this denial', or 'write my insurance appeal'. Produces the denial decode with overturn-likelihood framing, the evidence checklist, the point-by-point appeal letter, and the escalation ladder past the insurer.