1. [Before buying] Write down first-year maintenance, consumables or accessory costs beyond the purchase price.
2. [Before buying] Estimate how many times you will actually use it each week or month after six months.
3. [Before buying] Check the repair, replacement or shutdown cost if the item breaks.
4. [Before buying] Convert selection, learning, waiting and rework time into a cost.
5. [Before buying] Divide total cost by expected uses and compare it with an alternative.
6. [Subscriptions and auto-renewal] Confirm the introductory offer, the date the price changes and the renewal period.
7. [Subscriptions and auto-renewal] Confirm whether cancellation works in the app or requires customer support.
8. [Subscriptions and auto-renewal] Review authorized payment methods, passwordless charges and family-sharing access.
9. [Subscriptions and auto-renewal] Check actual use over the last 30 days before deciding to keep it.
10. [Subscriptions and auto-renewal] Before cancelling, confirm whether paid but unused benefits will remain available.
11. [Instalments and borrowing] Separate the interest rate, monthly or daily fee, and one-time charges.
12. [Instalments and borrowing] Confirm whether the total repayment includes service, guarantee or insurance fees.
13. [Instalments and borrowing] Confirm whether early repayment triggers a penalty or remaining fees.
14. [Instalments and borrowing] Review late-payment fees, credit-reporting effects and collection terms.
15. [Instalments and borrowing] Compare the monthly payment with income and protect essential living costs.
16. [Contracts and paid services] Confirm that payment milestones, deliverables and acceptance criteria are written down.
17. [Contracts and paid services] Confirm that refund, termination, transfer and breach terms are written down.
18. [Contracts and paid services] Confirm that intellectual-property ownership and data-use rights are written down.
19. [Contracts and paid services] Put verbal promises into the contract or keep a durable written record.
20. [Contracts and paid services] For legal, medical or financial risk, consult a qualified local professional.