①Fix deficiencies first. No nootropic or performance supplement works properly if you are magnesium, vitamin D, or B12 deficient. The first $20-30 of your budget should always address foundational deficiencies.
②One targeted supplement at a time. Starting multiple new supplements simultaneously makes it impossible to know what is working (or causing side effects). Add one every 2 weeks.
③Multi-bottle discounts change the math. A supplement at $49/bottle becomes $33/month when bought as a 3-bottle bundle. Always check if a 3-month supply is available before buying single bottles.
④Guarantee length = risk. A 180-day guarantee is effectively a free trial for 6 months. Prioritise products with longer guarantees when your budget is tight — you can get a full refund if it doesn't work.