Cash Flow

Since cash inflows and outflows vary in amounts and intervals it can often get quite confusing in trying to figure how much we can afford to spend or save during any given month. Just because you have left-over cash this month doesn't mean it's actually available for spending. This calculator was designed to convert all inflows and outflows into their monthly equivalents making it easier to see how much you can really afford to spend during any given month. And because your household is just as much a business as any traditional business, I've set up the various sections in the same way most businesses would set up their cash flow worksheet.

Instructions

Starting at the top and working your way down, complete and calculate the cash flows for each of the six sections. Be sure to click on each section's "Compute..." button before going on to the next section. Once you've computed the entire worksheet, including the Cash Flow Summary, you can then go back and edit your entries. Just be sure to recompute each section after editing. Once you're comfortable with your Cash Flow Forecast you can then click on the "Create Report" button at the bottom of the worksheet. This will create a condensed report in a new window that you print out and refer to when creating your spending plan (you may have to press CTRL-P in order to print the report).

Note

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Column/Field Explanations

Example Accounts: A listing of the types of cash flow items recommended for the current section.

Inflow Description: The description you want to appear on the Cash Flow Report.

# of Pmts Per Year: Enter the number of times per year you typically pay or receive the given cash flow. If you typically pay your electric bill once per month, you would enter "12" as the # of Pmts Per Year. On the other hand, if you typically pay your auto insurance once every six months, you would enter "2" as the # of Pmts Per Year.

Amt of Each Pmt: Enter the average amount of the cash flow as it corresponds to the # of Pmts Per Year. In other words, if you make two payments of $200 for auto insurance each year, you would enter "2" in the # of Pmts Per Year field and "200" in the Amt of Each Payment field.

Monthly Amount: This is a computed field that calculates the monthly amount needed to be set aside for the given cash flow account. Upon clicking on the "Compute..." button the underlying equation divides the # of Pmts Per Year entry by 12, and then divides the Amt of Each Pmt by that result. For example, if you make two payments of $600 each year, the Monthly Amount field will give a result of "100" as the amount you'll need to set aside each month in order to have the $600 available when the payment comes due.

Balance Forward: This is a computed field that will show you how much of your cash inflow total is still available for allocation. If this number is negative, it means you've allocated more outflows than the total of your inflows.

Cash Inflows

   
Example Accounts Inflow Description # of Pmts Per Year Amt of Each Pmt Monthly Amount
Your Primary Job
Spouse's Primary Job
Your Second Job
Spouse's Second Job
Your Business Revenues
Spouse's Business Revenues
Interest & Dividend Income
Rental Income
Cash Gifts
Gambling Winnings
Rummage Sale Receipts
Tax Refund
Instructions
Inflows
Administrative
Personal
Transportation
Residential
Entertainment
Totals

Total Monthly Inflow:

Administrative Outflows

Balance Forward:
Example Accounts Income Description # of Pmts Per Year Amt of Each Pmt Monthly Amount
Savings Deposits
Investment Deposits
Office Supplies
Postage
Basic Phone
Tax Preparation
Computer Supplies
Legal Expenses
Misc. Payments
Brokerage Fees
Income Tax Payments
Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Charitable Gifts
Tools
Reference Materials
Classified Ads
Instructions
Inflows
Administrative
Personal
Transportation
Residential
Entertainment
Totals

Total Monthly Administrative Outflow:

Personal Outflows

Balance Forward
Example Accounts Outflow Description # of Pmts Per Year Amt of Each Pmt Monthly Amount
Groceries
Vegetable Gardening
School Lunches
Toiletries & Grooming
Hair & Make-up
Medical, Dental, & Optical
Medication & Prescriptions
Clothing & Laundry
Dry Cleaning
Education
Daycare
Child Support
Health Club Memberships
Therapy
Instructions
Inflows
Administrative
Personal
Transportation
Residential
Entertainment
Totals

Total Monthly Personnel Outflow:

Transportation Outflows

Balance Forward:
Example Accounts Outflow Description # of Pmts Per Year Amt of Each Pmt Monthly Amount
Gasoline
Car Repairs & Maintenance
Car Insurance
Car Payments
Lease Payments
Fares and tolls
Parking
Licenses & Permits
Fines & Tickets
Instructions
Inflows
Administrative
Personal
Transportation
Residential
Entertainment
Totals

Total Monthly Transportation Outflow:

Residential Outflows

Balance Forward:
Example Accounts Outflow Description # of Pmts Per Year Amt of Each Pmt Monthly Amount
Grounds Maintenance
Building Repairs & Manta.
Cleaning Supplies
Furniture & Fixtures
Appliances
Pest Control
Interior Decorating
Rent or Lease Payments
Mortgage Payments
Property Taxes
Propane, Fuel Oil, & Wood
Electricity
Property Insurance
Snow Removal
Alarm Systems
Instructions
Inflows
Administrative
Personal
Transportation
Residential
Entertainment
Totals

Total Monthly Residential Outflow:

Entertainment Outflows

Balance Forward:
Example Accounts Outflow Description # of Pmts Per Year Amt of Each Pmt Monthly Amount
Movies & Theatrical
Long Distance Calls
Video & Movie Rental
Cable & Satellite
Sporting Events & Activities
Hobbies & Crafts
Games, Arcade, and Amusement
Parties & Entertaining
Gifts
Dining Out
Nightclubs
Gambling
Pets & Pet Supplies
Music
Vacation Property Payments
Vacation & Travel
Instructions
Inflows
Administrative
Personal
Transportation
Residential
Entertainment
Totals

Total Monthly Entertainment Outflow:

Summary of Inflow and Outflows

 
  Category Outflows Inflows
Instructions
Inflows
Administrative
Personal
Transportation
Residential
Entertainment
Totals
Monthly Inflow  
Monthly Administrative Outflow  
Monthly Personnel Outflow  
Monthly Transportation Outflow  
Monthly Residential Outflow  
Monthly Entertainment Outflow  

Total Monthly Outflows  
Net Cash Flow