How does Dcider protect my privacy?

Your decisions are stored securely in our database with encryption. We never sell your data or share it with third parties. The AI analysis happens on secure servers and isn't used to train AI models. You can delete your account and all data at any time from the app settings.

How much does Dcider cost?

Dcider offers a 7-day free trial with full access to all features. After that, it's $4.99/month or $44.99/year (25% off). The free trial doesn't require a credit card to start.

How is this different from a pros and cons list?

Traditional pros/cons lists treat all factors equally and rely on your in-the-moment thinking. Dcider weighs options against your pre-defined personal values, providing an objective alignment score. The AI also surfaces considerations you might miss and tracks patterns across all your decisions over time.

Does the AI make decisions for me?

No. Dcider provides analysis and alignment scores, but you always make the final choice. Think of it as a thinking partner that helps you see how options align with what you've said matters to you. The goal is clarity, not automation.

Can I use Dcider offline?

You can view your decision history and values offline. However, AI-powered analysis requires an internet connection since it's processed on secure cloud servers.

What kind of decisions is Dcider best for?

Dcider works great for career choices, financial decisions, relationship questions, health and lifestyle changes, and any decision where you want to align your choice with your personal values. It's especially helpful when you're overthinking or facing analysis paralysis.

How do I set up my values?

When you first open the app, you'll go through a quick onboarding where you select values that matter to you (like health, family, growth, financial security) and rate their importance. You can always adjust these later in Settings.

Is Dcider available on Android?

Currently, Dcider is iOS-only. We're focused on making the iOS experience great first. Android support may come in the future based on demand.

FinanceUpdated Jan 2026

Should I Invest or Save? A Values-Based Decision Framework

You've accumulated some money and face the eternal question: keep it safe in savings or put it to work in the market? The fear of losing money battles the fear of missing out on growth. You want to make a smart choice but feel overwhelmed by options.

Key Takeaway

This decision is fundamentally about Security vs. Growth. Your choice will also impact your accessibility.

The Core Values at Stake

This decision touches on several fundamental values that may be in tension with each other:

Security

Your need to protect your principal from loss. Savings are safe but lose purchasing power to inflation over time.

Growth

Your desire to build wealth over time. Investing offers higher potential returns but with more risk.

Accessibility

Your need to access funds on short notice. Savings are liquid; investments may need time to recover from downturns.

Long-Term Thinking

Your ability to stay the course through market volatility. Successful investing requires patience and emotional discipline.

Financial Knowledge

Your comfort level with investment concepts. Consider whether you understand enough to make informed decisions.

5 Key Questions to Ask Yourself

Before making this decision, work through these questions honestly:

1When will I need this money—less than 5 years or longer?
2How would I react if my investment dropped 30%—panic sell or stay the course?
3Do I have adequate emergency savings already?
4Am I maximizing tax-advantaged accounts (401k, IRA) before taxable investing?
5What is this money specifically for, and does that goal require growth?

Key Considerations

As you weigh this decision, keep these important factors in mind:

Your time horizon (savings for short-term, investments for long-term)

Risk tolerance and ability to weather market downturns

Existing emergency fund status (3-6 months expenses)

Tax-advantaged account opportunities

Inflation's impact on cash savings over time

Your knowledge level and willingness to learn

Specific goals and their timelines

Watch Out For: Loss Aversion

We feel losses more intensely than equivalent gains, which can push us toward 'safe' savings even when investing makes more sense. Keeping money in savings feels safe but guarantees losing purchasing power to inflation. Don't let fear of volatility sabotage your long-term wealth.

Make This Decision With Clarity

Don't just guess. Use Dcider to calculate your alignment score and make decisions that truly reflect your values.

Download on the App Store

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I keep in savings vs. investments?

A common framework: 3-6 months expenses in emergency savings, plus cash for any planned purchases within 5 years. Everything beyond that with a long time horizon should typically be invested. Adjust based on job stability and risk tolerance.

Is it better to save or invest in 2025?

The answer doesn't change with the year—it depends on your timeline and goals. Short-term money belongs in savings; long-term money belongs invested. Market timing rarely works; consistent investing over time does.

What should a beginner invest in?

Low-cost index funds are ideal for beginners—they offer instant diversification, low fees, and require minimal knowledge. A total market index fund or target-date retirement fund are simple starting points.

Is a high-yield savings account better than investing?

For short-term needs (under 5 years), yes—high-yield savings protect principal. For long-term goals, no—even 5% savings rates typically lag long-term investment returns and barely keep pace with inflation.

Related Decisions

Should I Pay Off Debt Early?

You have extra money and face a choice: throw it at debt or invest it. The math might favor one option, but the psychological weight of debt—the monthly payments, the feeling of owing—makes the decision more complicated than a spreadsheet suggests.

Should I Retire Early?

The FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement promises escape from work decades before traditional retirement. But you wonder if you've truly saved enough, whether you'd be bored without work, and if retiring in your 40s or 50s is irresponsible or inspired.

Should I Start a Budget?

You know you should budget, but the idea feels restrictive, overwhelming, or like admitting you're bad with money. Past budgeting attempts may have failed, leaving you skeptical that this time would be different. Yet you're tired of wondering where your money goes.

People Also Considered

Similar decisions in other areas of life:

Quit My Job Move to a New City End a Relationship

Sources

Kahneman, D., & Tversky, A. (1979). Prospect Theory: An Analysis of Decision under Risk. Econometrica.
Thaler, R. H., & Benartzi, S. (2004). Save More Tomorrow: Using Behavioral Economics to Increase Employee Saving. Journal of Political Economy.

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