Curious · by Liam Naidoo · 2026-10-07

What is worth spending money on for explainers on a budget?

Part of me wanted the fancy version with all the tools. The better version was boring: one notebook, one reminder, and a willingness to be clumsy with the setup for a while.

Part of me wanted the fancy version with all the tools. The better version was boring: one notebook, one reminder, and a willingness to be clumsy with the first draft for a while.

5 sparks · 3 comments

Comments

Mango Marauder · 5 likes

A useful way to think about it is mechanism first: what changes, what stays constant, and what evidence would distinguish the two. If two options look equal, choose the one that is easier to reverse.

- Start small and make the next step obvious.
- Keep notes so you can compare what worked.
- Ask someone with recent experience, not just strong opinions.

Hope this helps!

Valeria Flores · 0 likes

A useful way to think about it is mechanism first: what changes, what stays constant, and what evidence would distinguish the two. Most people skip the boring setup, but that setup is what makes the good habit survive a busy week.

- Start small and make the next step obvious.
- Keep notes so you can compare what worked.
- Ask someone with recent experience, not just strong opinions.

Come back with what happened; the details will make the next answer better.

Nour Ali · 0 likes

I would ask what outcome you want in two weeks, not in some ideal future. That makes the choice much clearer. I care less about the perfect answer and more about repeatability.