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Guide

Before You Pay: 10-Minute Checklist

If the next step requires money, pause. You can ask what the payment is for before you decide.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-30

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Short answer: Do not pay to join, qualify, train, travel, subscribe, buy inventory, or become licensed until you understand what people typically keep after expenses.

If you only have ten minutes:

  • Do not pay before reading the documents yourself.
  • Write down every first-year and recurring cost.
  • Find the refund, cancellation, subscription, and inventory-return deadlines before money leaves your account.

If the payment is being pushed today: You can pause the conversation without debating the opportunity. Ask for written documents, take time away from the pitch, and decide later.

Words to use now Before You Pay

Net income means money left after expenses. Gross income means money received before expenses.

1. Ask what the payment is for

Identify whether the payment is a joining fee, starter kit, product order, subscription, website, training, event, lead program, background check, exam, license, or renewal.

2. Ask whether it is required or expected

A cost can be described as optional and still be treated as normal for people pursuing the opportunity. Ask what comparable new participants usually buy or pay for in the first year.

Common costs to check:

  • Product, samples, shipping, and taxes.
  • Starter kits, renewal fees, websites, apps, or back-office tools.
  • Training, events, tickets, travel, meals, lodging, and childcare.
  • Advertising, giveaways, displays, packaging, or payment fees.
  • Licensing, exam prep, background checks, or required continuing education.
  • Unsold inventory and unpaid time.

Gross income is not the same as money kept after these costs.

3. Ask what typical participants keep

Compare the payment with written income disclosure. Gross income is not profit. A useful answer should help you understand what people kept after common costs, not only what some people received before costs.

4. Ask for the refund and cancellation rules

Get the rules in writing before you pay. Look for deadlines, restocking fees, shipping costs, condition requirements, subscriptions, autoship cancellation, chargeback limits, and inventory buyback terms.

Autoship means a recurring product order or subscription.

5. Use the 10-minute checklist

Ask for these in writing:

  • The current income disclosure or earnings statement.
  • The compensation plan or business plan.
  • A full first-year and recurring expense list.
  • The refund, cancellation, subscription, and inventory return rules.

You can ask to read these away from the pitch before paying, ordering product, joining a subscription, attending a paid event, or contacting friends.

6. Take one quiet day

A legitimate decision can survive a pause. Use the time to read the documents, compare expenses, and ask someone outside the opportunity to look at the numbers with you.

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