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Decision-Defense videos for real-world decisions

Know what matters before you book, buy, sign, move, or invest.

BeforeDecide curates videos that protect you: hidden fees, fine print, pressure tactics, and the real-world outcomes people only learn after it’s too late. Many of the best warnings aren’t viral — we surface them and convert them into fast checks you can verify before you commit.

Less regret: catch the common traps before you commit.
Faster verification: know exactly what to check and ask.
Better sources: curated “hidden gem” videos most people never see.

Watch the first video Why this site exists

Before you book a hotel

Smart ways to find better places, prices, and locations — in any destination.

#1 \ 8 GEMS Play

Tips, tricks, and search tactics to find better hotels and stays. Full hotel & Airbnb checklist →

Starter decisions

Video

Evidence-first

Checks

Before you pay

Gems

Beyond “viral” content

Watch first, then verify

These are the most common decisions people regret. Start from the top. Each topic is curated for real outcomes: fees, terms, proof, and “what you only learn later.”

Hotel: full checklist Why BeforeDecide

#2Play

Before you sign a lease (rent an apartment)

Clauses that matter: repairs, deposits, renewal terms, move-out fees, and “who pays for what.”

lease terms • deposit • maintenance

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#3Play

Before you buy a used car

Protect yourself: inspection steps, history checks, negotiation traps, and “as-is” language.

inspection • history • negotiation

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#4Play

Before you close on a home / mortgage

What to confirm before signing: fees, timelines, and “last-minute changes” that cost money.

fees • timelines • documents

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#5Play

Before you hire a contractor

Prevent budget blowups: scope, milestones, change orders, proof, and payment structure.

scope • milestones • proof

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#6Play

Before you choose a health insurance plan

What you’ll pay in real life: network, deductible, out-of-pocket limits, and prescriptions.

network • deductible • OOP

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#7Play

Before you invest in crypto

Platform risk, custody, volatility, fake guarantees, and the mistakes that wipe people out.

risk • custody • platforms

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#8Play

Before you invest in anything

How to filter scams fast: pressure tactics, fake proof, hidden conflicts, “too good to be true.”

red flags • verification • pressure

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#9Play

Before you book a hotel

Cancellation fine print, extra fees, room type surprises, and location checks you can verify.

fees • cancellation • location

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#10Play

Before you move abroad

Paperwork, timelines, banking, insurance, and the “I wish I knew” list that prevents chaos.

documents • timing • logistics

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Why BeforeDecide exists

Clear answers to what people want to know before trusting a “Before You…” site.

Why did you build BeforeDecide?

Most people search video the same way they search the web: a generic query, the top results, done. But “top results” often reflects popularity — not usefulness. BeforeDecide was built to surface the warnings that actually change outcomes and package them into a fast, usable pre-payment checklist.

What makes BeforeDecide different from a typical tips site?

We don’t publish more opinions. We curate proof and practical checks — the exact details people often discover only after they’ve already paid. That means fewer generic lists and more “verify this before you commit.”

What does “curated, not random” mean?

Every video is selected for concrete decision value: clear warnings, real consequences, and steps you can repeat. If a video doesn’t help you verify something important, it doesn’t make the cut.

Why do you include “non-viral” or older videos?

Because usefulness and popularity are not the same. Some of the best advice is buried in videos that never went viral — fewer views, but higher signal. BeforeDecide is designed to surface those hidden gems.

What should I do before I decide?

Use the site as a pre-payment filter. Do a few checks and you avoid most regret: confirm pricing reality (total cost, add-ons, fees, penalties), force clarity (get answers in writing), verify proof (reviews, policies, documents, records), and walk away fast if you see pressure or contradictions.

Is BeforeDecide free? How is it funded?

Yes — the videos and checklists are free. The site may be supported by advertising and, in some cases, affiliate links. The mission stays the same: help you verify before committing.

Watch now Read the PDF

The BeforeDecide ideology

This site is not “tips content.” It is decision defense: a repeatable method to reduce regret by forcing clarity, verifying proof, and refusing pressure — before money leaves your account or a signature becomes binding.

1) Decision-Defense beats entertainment

Our job is not to inspire you or keep you watching. Our job is to help you avoid predictable losses: hidden fees, fine print, misleading listings, low-quality work, and “I didn’t know” clauses.

If a video is entertaining but doesn’t change a real decision outcome, it is not a fit here.

2) Evidence first, opinions last

BeforeDecide prioritizes content that shows receipts: policy language, contract clauses, screenshots, timelines, call recordings, real outcomes, and step-by-step verification methods — not vague motivational advice.

3) The “Before You Pay” checklist logic

Every decision page follows the same protective sequence: (a) confirm total cost, (b) get key terms in writing, (c) verify proof, (d) detect pressure tactics, (e) walk away fast when details are missing or contradictory.

This is a system. You can reuse it for hotels, leases, contractors, vehicles, insurance, and investments.

4) We optimize for “signal,” not view counts

Many high-signal warnings are buried: older uploads, low-view channels, niche experts, and long explanations. We surface those “hidden gems” because they contain the details people usually learn only after they paid.

5) No ambiguity: force clarity or don’t proceed

If pricing, cancellation, scope, timelines, warranty, deliverables, or liability are unclear — the default action is to pause. Ask for written confirmation. If it is refused, treat that as a signal.

6) Pressure is a red flag, not a sales technique

“Offer expires today,” “someone else is ready to pay,” “sign now to lock it in,” “we don’t put that in writing” — these are patterns. BeforeDecide is built to help you recognize them early and disengage without regret.

7) Transparency about money and incentives

The site can be supported by advertising and occasionally affiliate links. That does not change the ideology: we prioritize protective value over hype. If a recommendation depends on an incentive, you should assume bias exists and verify independently.

8) Your time matters: fast structure, minimal friction

We keep the UX intentionally simple: click a frame, watch inside the page, one video at a time, ESC to stop. The goal is speed-to-clarity, not “more pages per session.”

Our pledge to every visitor

We help you verify — before you commit.

If you remember one rule from this site, make it this: “No proof, no payment.” When the cost of being wrong is high, the correct move is not confidence — it is verification.

Start with the top decision you’re making today Watch first