This toolkit focuses on the design of rules of thumb (ROTs), simple, actionable guidelines that can help consumers with financial decision-making. If designed well, they are easy for consumers to remember and clearly communicate the action required. This toolkit will guide you through a consumer-centric process to create rules of thumb that can be deployed to consumers and how to assess the impact they have on financial decision-making.

“Designing and offering a simple, clear, and actionable rule to consumers has the potential to change financial decision-making and positively impact consumers’ behavior.”

“Delivery is Key. A rule of thumb needs to reach consumers through the right channel(s) and at the right time(s) to be effective.”

“Gather information to develop insights into consumers behaviors, attitudes, actions, and beliefs as they relate to the defined problem.”

• Identify the consumer problem that the rule of thumb is trying to address. It is important to have a clear problem statement to guide the entire design process.
• Gather information to develop insights into consumers behaviors, attitudes, actions, and beliefs as they relate to the defined problem.
• Develop options for your rules of thumb content, communication designs, and delivery channels and then test, and re-test, them with consumers.
• Developing clear problem statements provides the basis to create rules that will work.
• Delivery is key. A rule of thumb needs to reach consumers through the right channel(s) and at the right time(s) to be effective.