Home Budget2000 Shareware (No limits on distribution)

Author: Jim Porter E-Mail: PorterCottage@aol.com 	(http://homefinance2000.homestead.com/Home.html)

Requires MS Excel (Best if viewed under Display Property Setting of 1024 by 768 pixel Screen area)

Keywords: Budget, home budget, money, finance, home finance, savings, investing, retirement, automobile, car, mutual funds, stocks, taxes, Roth IRA, Excel, spreadsheet.


Uploaded and written by the author who is an ex-stock broker, Home Budget 2000 is an easy to use series of colorful Excel spreadsheets that include many answers to hidden facts. The download includes a fully functional budget worksheet that automatically recommends levels of expenditures consistent with your income bracket. The basic registration unlocks additional help via an analysis, lifetime savings planner, taxable vs. tax-deferred planning, mutual fund load vs. no-load comparison, Roth vs. standard IRA comparison, the cost of delaying an IRA and lots of comments throughout the program to further educate the user to allow better informed decisions. A premium registration is available, which includes the authors "Used car value analysis" worksheet.

1)	Table of Contents
2)	Introduction
3)	Monthly Budget: Enter your paycheck information and the worksheet will return to you 	the recommended expenditures in 5 categories based on typical averages for your 	particular income bracket. After you have told the program that you are saving 		enough for your future needs, any surplus in the other categories will be added to 	Category 5 (Fun Stuff).
4)	Budget Analysis: this worksheet requires no input, but rather takes the results from 	your monthly budget sheet and gives recommendations if you are falling short in 	certain areas. If you are doing okay, it will tell compliment you. Then the overall 	budget is reviewed with appropriate comments. This sheet is particularly important 	for those who want to enter a debt free environment as soon as possible.
5)	Cost of Waiting: This is a case study of four people who had different views of when 	to start their retirement accounts, and how it impacted them. Chances are that you 	well be similar to one of the four. The right decision here will earn thousands of 	dollars for you to9 use at retirement.
6)	Savings Plan: Answer 10 simple questions, then a table and graph will show you (1) 	what you need to save per year at your age to retire without Social Security. (2) 	What raises in salary to expect in order to keep ahead of inflation, (this is a 	great way to keep tabs on the company you work for to ensure that they are not 		taking advantage of you). (3) Print out a lifetime plan that will guide you into 	(and through) those golden years of retirement.
7)	Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred: See the power behind using Uncle Sam's money to help your 	savings compound into a lock-tight comfortable retirement. Tax Deferred investments 	in order of priority are: 401K, IRA and then Variable Annuities. After learning this 	area, contact the investment broker of your choice after learning this area.
8)	Load vs. No-Load Funds: Compare any two mutual funds for yourself and find out if 	money managers really work for nothing. This sheet requires the user to input data 	from the front of a prospectus (available from your investment broker or through the 	mail). There are some things here that your broker probably wishes you didn't find 	out. After learning this area, contact the investment broker of your choice.
9)	Roth vs. Standard IRA'S: Do you know which is best for your particular situation? 	Most people don't factor in the length of time that is required for the new Roth IRA 	to become the best choice. Is the government handing you a silver platter? Find out 	for yourself and tailor a plan that fits your personal needs. After learning this 	area, contact your investment broker or bank.
10)	Used Car Calculator: Available as a second Excel file (see the registration page). 	Find out for yourself, which used car in your local paper, is the best one to check 	out first. You will also see which one would typically be the last one to look at 	(Watch out rip-off artists).
11)	Summary
12)	Registration
