Confirming Pages

3
Money Management Strategy:
Financial Statements
and Budgeting
Objeives What will this mean for me?
1. Recognize relationships among financial The average person in the United States saves
documents and money management less than three cents of every dollar earned.
activities.
This lack of saving results in not having
2. Design a system for maintaining personal
financial records. adequate funds for long-term financial
3. Develop a personal balance sheet and cash security. Effectively planning your spending
flow statement. and saving decisions provides a foundation
4. Create and implement a budget. for wise money management today and
5. Relate money management and savings financial prosperity in the future.
activities to achieve financial goals.

My Life
FIN ANCIAL SUCCESS
SAVING IS THE ONLY PATH FOR
ey coming in! Reducing your
Money not going out is like mon for
credit card debt, more money
spending will result in lower
-term investing.
emergencies, and funds for long
gs you really need, you always
if you only spend money on thin
From a budgeting perspective, ety, people use the word need
ly want. Very often in our soci
have money for things you real lt, overspending, increased debt,
and lower saving and
ly mea n wan t. As a resu
when they real
investing occur.
your money management
age men t hab its? You can now start to assess
What are you r mon ey man le the choice that best describes
of the following statements, circ
knowledge and skills. For each
your current situation.
me
vities are most valuable to help
1. My money management acti
a. avoid credit problems.
b. achieve nancial goals.
ds.
c. enjoy spending for daily nee cribed as
aniz ing per son al financial records could be des
2. My system for org
nts that are missing in action!
a. nonexistent ... I have docume
f when I need to!
b. basic ... I can nd most stuf
the Library of Congress!
c. very efcient ... better than
ement are
3. The details of my cash flow stat
com ing in and money going out.
a. simple ... money
enough information for me.
b. appropriate for my needs ...
where my money goes.
c. very informative ... I know

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 Confirming
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be described as
4. My budgeting activities could
to worry about where it goes.
a. I dont have enough money
in my checkbook.
b. I keep track of my spending e.
nding and paying my bills on tim
c. I have a written plan for spe
ls could be described as
5. The status of my savings goa
e.
a. Good progress is being mad
0 mor e, Ill hav e $100!
b. If I save $10
c. What is a savi ngs goa l?
with additional information and
will encounter My Life boxes
As you study this chapter, you
s.
resources related to these item

Successful Money Management

Objective 1 Each month, I have too many days and not enough money. If the month were only 20
days long, budgeting would be easy. Most of us have heard a comment like this when
Recognize relationships
it comes to budgeting and money management.
among financial documents
Your daily spending and saving decisions are at the center of financial planning. You
and money management
must coordinate these decisions with your needs, goals, and personal situation. When
activities.
people watch a baseball or football game, they usually know the score. In financial
planning, knowing the score is also important.
Maintaining financial records and planning your spending are essential to successful
money management personal financial management. The time and effort you devote to these recordkeep-
Day-to-day financial activi- ing activities will yield benefits. Money management refers to the day-to-day finan-
ties necessary to manage cial activities necessary to manage current personal economic resources while working
current personal economic toward long-term financial security.
resources while working
toward long-term finan-
cial security. OPPORTUNITY COST AND MONEY
MANAGEMENT
Daily decision making is a fact of life, and trade-offs are associated with each choice
made. Selecting an alternative means you give up something
else. In terms of money management decisions, examples
My Life 1 of trade-off situations, or opportunity costs, include the
following:
I understand the value of money manage- Spending money on current living expenses reduces the
ment activities. amount you can use for saving and investing for long-
Many online sources are available to provide term financial security.
money management information. Locate a
Saving and investing for the future reduce the amount
blog that you consider reliable for obtaining
money management assistance.
you can spend now.
Buying on credit results in payments later and
reduces the amount of future income available for
spending.

78

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Chapter 3 Money Management Strategy: Financial Statements and Budgeting 79

Using savings for purchases results in lost interest

earnings and an inability to use savings for other
purposes.
Comparison shopping can save you money and
improve the quality of your purchases but uses up
something of value you cannot replace: your time.
As you plan and implement various money management
activities, you need to assess financial and personal costs
and benefits associated with financial decisions.

COMPONENTS OF MONEY
MANAGEMENT
As Exhibit 3-1 shows, three major money management
activities are interrelated. First, personal financial records
Organized financial documents
and documents are the foundation of systematic resource are a foundation of effective
use. These provide written evidence of business transactions, ownership of property, money management.
and legal matters. Next, personal financial statements enable you to measure and assess
your financial position and progress. Finally, your spending plan, or budget, is the basis
for effective money management.

CONCEPT CHECK 3-1

1 What opportunity costs are associated with money management activities?
2 What are the three major money management activities?
Action Application Talk to several people regarding wise and poor money
management actions they have taken in their lives.

Exhibit 3-1 Money management activities

3. Creating and
implementing a plan
for spending and saving (budgeting).
2. Creating personal
financial statements
(balance sheets and cash flow statements
of income and outflows).
1. Storing and
maintaining personal financial records
and documents.

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80 Part 1 PLANNING YOUR PERSONAL FINANCES

A System for Personal Financial Records

Objective 2 Invoices, credit card statements, insurance policies, tax, forms, and other documents
are the basis of financial recordkeeping and personal economic choices. An organized
Design a system for main-
system of financial records provides a basis for:
taining personal financial
records. Handling daily business affairs, including payment of bills on time.
Planning and measuring financial progress.
Completing required tax reports.
Making effective investment decisions.
Determining available resources for current and future buying.

As Exhibit 3-2 shows, most financial records

are kept in one of three places: a home file, a safe
DID YOU KNOW? deposit box, or a home computer. A home file should
be used to keep records for current needs and docu-
In the United States, people keep various documents ments with limited value. Your home file may be a
and valuables in 30 million safe deposit boxes in series of folders, a cabinet with several drawers, or
banks and other financial institutions. While these even a cardboard box. Whatever method you use, it
boxes are usually very safe, each year a few people is most important that your home file be organized
lose the contents of their safe deposit boxes through to allow quick access to required documents and
theft, fire, or natural disasters. Such losses are information.
usually, but not always, covered by the
Important financial records and valuable articles
financial institutions insurance.
should be kept in a location that provides better
security than a home file. A safe deposit box is a
private storage area at a financial institution with
maximum security for valuables and difficult-to-
replace documents. Access to the contents of a safe deposit box requires two keys.
safe deposit box One key is issued to you; the other is kept by the financial institution where the safe
A private storage area at deposit box is located. Items commonly kept in a safe deposit box include an annual
a financial institution with stock investment statement, contracts, a list of insurance policies, and valuables
maximum security for such as rare coins and stamps. These documents may also be kept in a fireproof
valuables. home safe.
The number of financial records and documents may seem
overwhelming; however, they can easily be organized into 10
categories (see Exhibit 3-2). These groups correspond to the
major topics covered in this book. You may not need to use all
of these records and documents at present. As your financial
My Life 2 situation changes, you will add others.
How long should you keep personal finance records?
I have an organized system for personal The answer to this question differs for various documents.
financial records. Records such as birth certificates, wills, and Social Security
Conduct a brief interview with a couple of data should be kept permanently. Records on property and
people you know about the methods and investments should be kept as long as you own these items.
systems they use to organize their financial Federal tax laws dictate the length of time you should keep
documents. What filing systems do they use? tax-related information. Copies of tax returns and supporting
How do they use computerized recordkeep- data should be saved for seven years. Normally, an audit will
ing systems?
go back only three years; however, under certain circum-
stances, the Internal Revenue Service may request informa-
tion from six years back. Financial experts also recommend
keeping documents related to the purchase and sale of real
estate indefinitely.

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Chapter 3 Money Management Strategy: Financial Statements and Budgeting 81

Exhibit 3-2 Where to keep your financial records

Home File Safe Deposit Box or Fireproof

Home Safe
of
1. Personal and 2. Money Management umbers
Serial n items
Employment Records Records (Chapter 3) Birth, marriage, and expe n si ve
raphs or
(Chapter 2) Current budget death certicates Photog valuable
Current rsum Recent personal nancial Citizenship papers vide f s
o o
g
Employee benet statements (balance sheet, Adoption, custody papers belongin
information income statement) Military papers
Social Security numbers List of nancial goals
Birth certicates List of safe deposit box
contents
contacts
Credit rd
Certicates of deposit o f credit ca
3. Tax Records (Chapter 4) 4. Financial Services List a n d
List of checking and num b e rs rs
Records (Chapter 5) e numbe
Paycheck stubs, W-2 forms, savings account numbers telephon
1099 forms Checkbook, unused checks and nancial institutions of is su e rs
Receipts for tax-deductible Bank statements, canceled
items checks
Records of taxable income Savings statements
Past income tax returns and Location information and nd
l stock a
documentation number of safe deposit box Annua tements
Mortgage papers, title deed bond sta stamps,
ins,
Automobile title Rare co d other
5. Credit Records 6. Consumer Purchase & Auto- List of insurance policy gems, an
les
(Chapters 6, 7) mobile Records (Chapter 8) numbers and company collectib ill
Unused credit cards names C o p y o fw
Warranties
Payment books Receipts for major purchases
Receipts, monthly statements Owners manuals for major
List of credit account appliances
numbers and telephone Automobile service and Personal Computer
numbers of issuers repair records
Automobile registration
System and Online
Automobile owners manual

7. Housing Records 8. Insurance Records Current and past budgets

(Chapter 9) (Chapters 1012) Summary of checks written and
Lease (if renting) Original insurance policies other banking transactions
Property tax records List of insurance premium Past income tax returns prepared
Home repair, home amounts and due dates with tax preparation software
improvement receipts Medical information (health Account summaries and
history, prescription drug performance results of
information) investments
Claim reports Computerized version of wills,
estate plans, and other documents
9. Investment Records 10. Estate Planning and
(Chapters 1317) Retirement Records
Records of stock, bond, (Chapters 1819)
and mutual fund Will
purchases and sales Pension plan information
List of investment IRA statements
certicate numbers Social Security
Brokerage statements information
Dividend records Trust agreements
Company annual reports

Shredder
What Not to Keep . ..
Wastebasket

Quarterly investment
account statements
Receipts for (keep the annual
small, non- summary statements)
Documents that you
tax-deductible
no longer need with
purchases
personal information
Expired such as your Social
warranties Security number or
account numbers.

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82 Part 1 PLANNING YOUR PERSONAL FINANCES

Sheet 14
Financial CONCEPT CHECK 3-2
documents and
records 1 What are the benefits of an organized system of financial records and
documents?
2 What suggestions would you give for creating a system for organizing and storing
financial records and documents?
3 What influences the length of time you should keep financial records and
documents?
Action Application Outline a system for filing and maintaining personal
financial records. What are some of the goals of your system?

Personal Financial Statements

Objective 3 Every journey starts somewhere. You need to know where you are before you can go
somewhere else. Personal financial statements tell you the starting point of your finan-
Develop a personal balance
cial journey.
sheet and cash flow
Most of the financial documents we have discussed come from financial institutions,
statement.
business organizations, or the government. Two documents that you create yourself,
the personal balance sheet and the cash flow statement, are called personal financial
statements. These reports provide information about your current financial position and
present a summary of your income and spending. The main purposes of personal finan-
cial statements are to
Report your current financial position in relation to the value of the items you
own and the amounts you owe.
Measure your progress toward your financial goals.
Maintain information about your financial activities.
Provide data you can use when preparing tax forms or applying for credit.

THE PERSONAL BALANCE SHEET:

WHERE ARE YOU NOW?
The current financial position of an individual or a family is a common starting point
for financial planning. A balance sheet, also called a net worth statement or state-
balance sheet A financial ment of financial position, reports what you own and what you owe. You prepare a
statement that reports personal balance sheet to determine your current financial position using the follow-
what an individual or a ing process:
family owns and owes;
also called a net worth
statement. Items of value Amounts owed = Net worth
(what you own) (what you owe) (your wealth)

assets Cash and other

property with a monetary For example, if your possessions are worth $4,500 and you owe $800 to others, your
value. net worth is $3,700.

STEP 1: LISTING ITEMS OF VALUE Available cash and money in bank

accounts combined with other items of value are the foundation of your current finan-
cial position. Assets are cash and other tangible property with a monetary value. The

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Chapter 3 Money Management Strategy: Financial Statements and Budgeting 83

balance sheet for Rose and Edgar Gomez (Exhibit 3-3) lists their assets under four
categories:
1. Liquid assets are cash and items of value that can easily be converted to cash. Money in
checking and savings accounts is liquid and is available to the Gomez family for current liquid assets Cash and
spending. The cash value of their life insurance may be borrowed if needed. While assets items of value that can
other than liquid assets can also be converted into cash, the process is not quite as easy. easily be converted to
2. Real estate includes a home, a condominium, vacation property, or other land that a cash.
person or family owns.
3. Personal possessions are a major portion of assets for most people. Included in this
category are automobiles and other personal belongings. While these items have
value, they may be difficult to convert to cash. You may decide to list your posses-
sions on the balance sheet at their original cost. However, these values probably

Exhibit 3-3 Creating a personal balance sheet

Rose and Edgar Gomez

Personal Balance Sheet as of October 31, 2012

Step 1 Assets
Prepare a total of all items Liquid Assets
of value (assets). Include
Checking account balance (Chap. 5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,450
amounts in bank accounts,
Savings/money market accounts (Chap. 5). . . . . . . . . . . . 5,235
investments, and the cost
Cash value of life insurance (Chap. 12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3,685
(or estimated current
Total liquid assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 10,370
value) of your possessions.
Real Estate
Current market value of home (Chap. 9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 189,900
Personal Possessions
Market value of automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,000
Furniture and appliances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,900
Stereo and video equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,600
Home computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,400
Jewelry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,200
Total household assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 20,100
Investment Assets (Chaps. 1317)
Retirement accounts (Chap. 18). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,780
Mutual funds (Chap. 16). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,890
Total investment assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38,670
Total assets $ 259,040

Step 2 Liabilities
List and total the amounts Current Liabilities
owed to others (liabilities). Medical bills (Chap. 11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 150
This list will include current Charge account and credit card balances (Chaps. 6, 7). .. 3,340
debts, charge account/ Balance due on auto loan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,750
credit card balances, and Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 5,240
amounts due on loans
and mortgages. Long-Term Liabilities
Mortgage (Chap. 9). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 91,600
Home improvement loan (Chaps. 6, 7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,760
Student loan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,200
Total long-term liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94,560
Step 3 Total liabilities $ 99,800
Subtract total liabilities
from total assets to
determine net worth.
Net worth (assets minus liabilities) $ 159,240
This amount indicates
the current nancial
position of an individual
or a household.

Note: Various asset and liability items are discussed in the chapters listed next to them.

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84 Part 1 PLANNING YOUR PERSONAL FINANCES

need to be revised over time, since a five-year-old tele-

DID YOU KNOW? vision set, for example, is worth less now than when it
was new. Thus, you may wish to list your possessions
Poorly organized financial records can result in at their current value (also referred to as market value).
hidden assets such as U.S. savings bonds, old This method takes into account the fact that such things
life insurance policies with a cash value, as a home or rare jewelry may increase in value over
dormant savings accounts, old time. You can estimate current value by looking at ads
investments, and unused gift cards. for the selling price of comparable automobiles, homes,
or other possessions. Or you may use the services of an
appraiser.
4. Investment assets are funds set aside for long-term financial needs. The Gomez
family will use their investments for such things as financing their childrens educa-
tion, purchasing a vacation home, and planning for retirement. Since investment
assets usually fluctuate in value, the amounts listed should reflect their value at the
time the balance sheet is prepared.

STEP 2: DETERMINING AMOUNTS OWED Looking at the total assets

of the Gomez family, you might conclude that they have a strong financial position.
However, their debts must also be considered. Liabilities are amounts owed to others
liabilities Amounts owed but do not include items not yet due, such as next months rent. A liability is a debt you
to others. owe now, not something you may owe in the future. Liabilities fall into two categories:
1. Current liabilities are debts you must pay within a short time, usually less than a
current liabilities Debts year. These liabilities include such things as medical bills, tax payments, insurance
that must be paid within
a short time, usually less
premiums, cash loans, and charge accounts.
than a year. 2. Long-term liabilities are debts you do not have to pay in full until more than a year
from now. Common long-term liabilities include auto loans, educational loans, and
long-term liabilities Debts mortgages. A mortgage is an amount borrowed to buy a house or other real estate
that are not required to that will be repaid over a period of 15, 20, or 30 years. Similarly, a home improve-
be paid in full until more ment loan may be repaid to the lender over the next 5 to 10 years.
than a year from now.
The debts listed in the liability section of a balance sheet represent the amount owed at
net worth The difference
the moment; they do not include future interest payments. However, each debt payment is
between total assets and likely to include a portion of interest. Chapters 6 and 7 discuss the cost of borrowing further.
total liabilities.
STEP 3. COMPUTING NET WORTH Your net worth is the difference
insolvency The inability between your total assets and your total liabilities. This relationship can be stated as
to pay debts when they
are due because liabilities
Assets Liabilities = Net worth
far exceed the value of Net worth is the amount you would have if all assets were sold for the listed values
assets. and all debts were paid in full. Also, total assets equal total liabilities plus net worth.
The balance sheet of a business is commonly expressed as
Assets = Liabilities + Net worth
As Exhibit3-3 shows, Rose and Edgar Gomez have a net worth of $159,240. Since
very few people, if any, liquidate all assets, the amount of net worth has a more practical
purpose: It provides a measurement of your current financial position.
A person may have a high net worth but still have financial difficulties. Having many
assets with low liquidity means not having the cash available to pay current expenses.
Insolvency is the inability to pay debts when they are due; it occurs when a persons
liabilities far exceed available assets. Bankruptcy, discussed in Chapter 7, may be an
alternative for a person in this position.
You can increase your net worth in various ways, including
Increasing your savings.
Reducing spending.

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Chapter 3 Money Management Strategy: Financial Statements and Budgeting 85

Increasing the value of investments and other possessions.

Reducing the amounts you owe.
Remember, your net worth is not money available for use but an indication of your
financial position on a given date.

EVALUATING YOUR FINANCIAL POSITION

A personal balance sheet helps you measure progress toward financial goals. Your
financial situation improves if your net worth increases each time you prepare a bal-
ance sheet. It will improve more rapidly if you are able to set aside money each month
for savings and investments. As with net worth, the relationship among various balance
sheet items can give an indication of your financial position.

THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT:

WHERE DID YOUR MONEY GO?
Each day, financial events can affect your net worth. When you receive a paycheck or
pay living expenses, your total assets and liabilities change. Cash flow is the actual
inflow and outflow of cash during a given time period. Income from employment will cash flow The actual
probably represent your most important cash inflow; however, other income, such as inflow and outflow of
interest earned on a savings account, should also be considered. In contrast, payments cash during a given time
for items such as rent, food, and loans are cash outflows. period.
A cash flow statement, also called a personal income and expenditure statement
(Exhibit 3-4 on page 86), is a summary of cash receipts and payments for a given cash flow statement
period, such as a month or a year. This report provides data on your income and spend- A financial statement that
ing patterns, which will be helpful when preparing a budget. A checking account can summarizes cash receipts
and payments for a given
provide information for your cash flow statement. Deposits to the account are your period.
inflows; checks written are your outflows. Of course, in using this system, when you do
not deposit the entire amounts received, you must also note the spending of undeposited income Inflows of cash
amounts in your cash flow statement. to an individual or a
The process for preparing a cash flow statement is household.

Total cash Cash outflows

Cash surplus
received during during the time =
or deficit
the time period period

STEP 1: RECORD INCOME Creating a

cash flow statement starts with identifying the cash
received during the time period involved. Income is
the inflows of cash for an individual or a household.
For most people, the main source of income is money
received from a job. Other common income sources
include
Wages, salaries, and commissions.
Self-employment business income.
Savings and investment income (interest,
dividends, rent).
Gifts, grants, scholarships, and educational
loans.
Daily purchasing decisions influ-
Government payments, such as Social Security, public assistance, and ence cash outflows and long-
unemployment benefits. term financial goals.

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86 Part 1 PLANNING YOUR PERSONAL FINANCES

Exhibit 3-4 Creating a cash flow statement of income and outflows

Lin Ye
Cash Flow Statement for the Month Ended September 30, 2012
Income (cash inows)
Step 1 Salary (gross income). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,350
Less deductions
For a set time period (such
Federal income tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $810
as a month), record your
State income tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 108
income from various
Social Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
sources, such as wages,
salary, interest, or Total deductions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,250 $3,100
payments from the Interest earned on savings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
government. Earnings from investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Total income $3,196
Cash Outows
Fixed Expenses
Step 2
Rent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,150
Develop categories and Loan payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
record cash payments for Cable television . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
the time period covered Monthly train ticket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
by the cash ow Life insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
statement. Apartment insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 23
Total xed outows $1,669

Variable Expenses
Food at home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Food away from home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Clothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Electricity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Personal care (dry cleaning,
laundry, cosmetics) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Medical expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 85
Step 3 Recreation/entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 100
Gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Subtract the total outows Donations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 80
from the total inows. A
Total variable outows 1,079
positive number (surplus)
represents the amount Total outows $2,748
available for saving and Cash surplus + (or decit 2) +$448
investing. A negative
number (decit) represents
the amount that must be Allocation of Surplus
taken out of savings or Emergency fund savings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
borrowed. Savings for short-term/intermediate
nancial goals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 80
Savings/investing for long-term
nancial security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Total surplus $448

Amounts received from pension and retirement programs.

Alimony and child support payments.
In Exhibit3-4, notice that Lin Yes monthly salary (or gross income) of $4,350 is her
main source of income. However, she does not have use of the entire amount. Take-
take-home pay Earnings
after deductions for taxes home pay, also called net pay, is a persons earnings after deductions for taxes and
and other items; also other items. Lins deductions for federal, state, and Social Security taxes are $1,250.
called disposable income. Her take-home pay is $3,196. This amount, plus earnings from savings and investments,
is the income she has available for use during the current month.
discretionary income Take-home pay is also called disposable income, the amount a person or household
Money left over after pay- has available to spend. Discretionary income is money left over after paying for
ing for housing, food, and housing, food, and other necessities. Studies report that discretionary income ranges
other necessities. from less than 5 percent for people under age 25 to more than 40 percent for older
people.

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Financial Planning Calculations

RATIOS FOR EVALUATING FINANCIAL PROGRESS

Financial ratios provide guidelines for measuring the changes in your financial situation. These relationships can
indicate progress toward an improved financial position.

Ratio Calculation Example Interpretation

Debt ratio Liabilities divided by $25,000/$50,000 = 0.5 Shows relationship between debt and
net worth net worth; a low debt ratio is best.

Current ratio Liquid assets divided $4,000/$2,000 = 2 Indicates $2 in liquid assets for every
by current liabilities $1 of current liabilities; a high current
ratio is desirable to have cash avail-
able to pay bills.

Liquidity ratio Liquid assets divided $10,000/$4,000 = 2.5 Indicates the number of months in
by monthly expenses which living expenses can be paid if
an emergency arises; a high liquidity
ratio is desirable.

Debt-payments Monthly credit $540/$3,600 = 0.15 Indicates how much of a persons

ratio payments divided earnings goes for debt payments
by take-home pay (excluding a home mortgage); most
financial advisers recommend a
debt/payments ratio of less than
20 percent.

Savings ratio Amount saved each $648/$5,400 = 0.12 Financial experts recommend
month divided by monthly savings of 510 percent.
gross income

Based on the following information, calculate the ratios requested:

Liabilities $12,000 Net worth $36,000

Liquid assets $2,200 Current liabilities $550
Monthly credit payments $150 Take-home pay $900
Monthly savings $130 Gross income $1,500

1. Debt ratio ____________________________________ 3. Debt-payments ratio ___________________________

2. Current ratio _________________________________ 4. Savings ratio __________________________________

Analysis: How do these ratios compare with the guidelines mentioned in the Interpretation column above?

STEP 2: RECORD CASH OUTFLOWS Cash payments for living expenses

and other items make up the second component of a cash flow statement. Lin Ye divides
her cash outflows into two major categories: fixed expenses and variable expenses.
While every individual and household has different cash outflows, these main catego-
ries, along with the subgroupings Lin uses, can be adapted to most situations.
1. Fixed expenses are payments that do not vary from month to month. Rent or mort-
gage payments, installment loan payments, cable television service fees, and a

87

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88 Part 1 PLANNING YOUR PERSONAL FINANCES

monthly train ticket for commuting to work are examples of

constant or fixed cash outflows.
For Lin, another type of fixed expense is the amount she sets
My Life 3 aside each month for payments due once or twice a year. For
example, Lin pays $384 every March for life insurance. Each
I know the details of my cash flow month, she records a fixed outflow of $32 for deposit in a special
statement.
savings account so that the money will be available when her
In what ways might the Daily Spending insurance payment is due.
Diary (at the end of each chapter) be of
value when preparing a personal cash flow 2. Variable expenses are flexible payments that change from
statement? month to month. Common examples of variable cash out-
flows are food, clothing, utilities (such as electricity, tele-
phone, cable, and Internet), recreation, medical expenses,
gifts, and donations. The use of a checkbook or some other
recordkeeping system is necessary for an accurate
total of cash outflows.

DID YOU KNOW? STEP 3: DETERMINE NET CASH FLOW

When there is not enough in savings for emergen- The difference between income and outflows can be
cies, people most often use a home equity loan or either a positive (surplus) or a negative (deficit) cash
credit cards, borrow from relatives or flow. A deficit exists if more cash goes out than comes
against a retirement account, or sell in during a given month. This amount must be made
some unneeded assets. up by withdrawals from savings or by borrowing.
When you have a cash surplus, as Lin did
(Exhibit3-4), this amount is available for saving, inves-
ting, or paying off debts. Each month, Lin sets aside
money for her emergency fund in a savings account that she would use for unexpected
expenses or to pay living costs if she did not receive her salary. She deposits the rest
of the surplus in savings and investment plans that have two purposes. The first is the
achievement of short-term and intermediate financial goals, such as a new car, a vacation,
or reenrollment in school; the second is long-term financial securityher retirement.
A cash flow statement provides the foundation for preparing and implementing a
spending, saving, and investment plan, discussed in the next section.

Sheet 15
Personal balance CONCEPT CHECK 3-3
sheet
1 What are the main purposes of personal financial statements?
Sheet 16 2 What does a personal balance sheet tell about your financial situation?
Personal cash flow 3 How can you use a balance sheet for personal financial planning?
4 What information does a cash flow statement present?
statement
Action Application Using a Web search or library sources, obtain information
about the assets commonly held by U.S. households. How have the values of assets,
liabilities, and net worth of U.S. consumers changed in recent years?

Budgeting for Skilled Money Management

Objective 4 A budget, or spending plan, is necessary for successful financial planning. The com-
mon financial problems of overusing credit, lacking a regular savings program, and fail-
Create and implement a
ing to ensure future financial security can be minimized through budgeting. The main
budget.
purposes of a budget are to help you:

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Chapter 3 Money Management Strategy: Financial Statements and Budgeting 89

Live within your income.

Spend your money wisely. budget A specific plan for
Reach your financial goals. spending income.

Prepare for financial emergencies.

Develop wise financial management habits.
Budgeting may be viewed in four major phases, as shown in Exhibit3-5.

THE BUDGETING PROCESS

The financial statements and documents discussed in the first sections of this chapter
provide a starting point for your daily money management activities. A personal bal-
ance sheet is an effective scorecard for measuring financial progress. Increases in net
worth as a result of increased assets or decreased debt are evidence of an improved
financial position. A regular assessment of your financial standing using a personal bal-
ance sheet can provide a point of reference for money management decisions.

STEP 1: SETTING FINANCIAL GOALS Future plans are an important

dimension of your financial direction. Financial goals are plans for future activities that
require you to plan your spending, saving, and investing. Exhibit3-6 gives examples of
common financial goals based on life situation and time.

Assessing Your Current Situation Exhibit 3-5

Creating and implement-
ing a budget
In this preliminary phase, your main tasks are to:
Measure your current nancial position
Determine your personal needs, values, and life situation

Planning Your Financial Direction

The actual budgeting activities occur in this phase with:

Step 1: Setting Financial Goals
Step 2: Estimating Income
Step 3: Budgeting an Emergency Fund and Savings
Step 4: Budgeting Fixed Expenses
Step 5: Budgeting Variable Expenses

Implementing Your Budget

As you select and use your budgeting system, this phase involves:
Step 6: Recording Spending Amounts

Evaluating Your Budgeting Program

The nal phase of the process calls for:

Step 7: Reviewing Spending and Saving Patterns
With the completion of the process, possible revisions of nancial
goals and budget allocations should be considered.

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90 Part 1 PLANNING YOUR PERSONAL FINANCES

Exhibit 3-6 Common financial goals

Short-Term Goals Intermediate Goals Long-Term Goals

Personal Situation (less than 1 year) (15 years) (over 5 years)

Single person Complete college Take a vacation to Europe Buy a vacation home in
Pay off auto loan Pay off education loan the mountains
Attend graduate school Provide for retirement
income

Married couple Take an annual vacation Remodel home Buy a retirement home
(no children) Buy a new car Build a stock portfolio Provide for retirement
income

Single parent Increase life insurance Increase investments Accumulate a college

(young children) Increase savings Buy a new car fund for children
Move to a larger home

As discussed in Chapter 1, financial goals should: (1) Be realistic; (2) be stated in

specific, measurable terms; (3) have a definite time frame; and (4) imply the type of
action to be taken. Your personal financial statements
and budgeting allow you to achieve your financial
DID YOU KN OW? goals with
The main budgeting mistakes people make are 1. Your balance sheet: reporting your current finan-
failing to save, never creating a budget, cial positionwhere you are now.
underestimating expenses, and not
planning for large costs (vacations,
2. Your cash flow statement: telling you what you
auto repairs). received and spent over the past month.
3. Your budget: planning spending and saving to
achieve financial goals.

STEP 2: ESTIMATING INCOME As Exhibit3-7 shows, you

should next estimate available money for a given time period. A
common budgeting period is a month, since many payments, such
as rent or mortgage, utilities, and credit cards, are due each month.
In determining available income, include only money that you are
sure youll receive. Bonuses, gifts, or unexpected income should
not be considered until the money is actually received.
If you get paid once a month, planning is easy since you will work
with a single amount. But if you get paid weekly or twice a month,
you will need to plan how much of each paycheck will go for various
expenses. If you get paid every two weeks, plan your spending based
on the two paychecks you will receive each month. Then, during the
two months each year that have three paydays, you can put additional
amounts into savings, pay off some debts, or make a special purchase.
Budgeting income may be difficult if your earnings vary by sea-
Maintaining income and son or your income is irregular, as with sales commissions. In these
expense records makes the situations, attempt to estimate your income based on the past year and on your expecta-
budgeting process easier.
tions for the current year. Estimating your income on the low side will help you avoid
overspending and other financial difficulties.

STEP 3: BUDGETING AN EMERGENCY FUND AND SAVINGS To

set aside money for unexpected expenses as well as future financial security, the Fra-
ziers (see Exhibit 3-7) have budgeted several amounts for savings and investments.
Financial advisers suggest that an emergency fund representing three to six months of

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 Exhibit 3-7 The Fraziers develop and implement a monthly budget

kap30697_ch03_077-104.indd 91
Monthly Budget
Step 1
Set nancial goals. Financial goals: increase emergency fund; avoid credit card debt. Step 6
Record actual
amounts for inows
Budgeted Amounts Actual Amounts Variance and outows.
Compare actual
(dollars) (percent) amounts with
Projected Inows (income) budgeted amounts to
Step 2
determine variances.
Estimate expected Salary 2874 100 2874
income from all sources;
this amount is to be Projected Outows
allocated among various (disbursements)
outow categories. Emergency Fund and Savings:
Emergency fund savings 115 4 115
Savings for auto insurance 29 1 29
Step 3 Savings for vacation 57 2 57
Budget amount for an Savings for investments 57 2 57
emergency fund, Total savings 258 9 258
periodic expenses, and
nancial goals. Fixed Expenses
Mortgage payment 518 18 518
Property taxes 115 4 115
Auto loan payment 144 5 144
Step 4 Life insurance 29 1 29
Budget set amounts Total xed expenses 806 28 806
that you are obligated
to pay. Variable expenses
Food 402 14 417 15
Utilities (telephone, heat,
electric, water) 172 6 164 +8
Clothing 116 4 93 +23
Transportation (automobile
operation, repairs, public
transportation) 460 16 471 11
Personal and health care 172 6 163 +9
Step 5 201 29
Entertainment 172 6
Budget estimated Reading, education 86 3 78 +8
amounts to be spent Gifts, donations 144 5 150 6
for various household Personal allowances,
and living expenses. miscellaneous expenses 86 3 90 4 Step 7
Total variable expenses 1810 63 1827 17 Evaluate whether
Total outow 2891 17 revisions are needed
2874 100
in your spending and
savings plan.

91
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92 Part 1 PLANNING YOUR PERSONAL FINANCES

living expenses be established for use in periods of

DID YOU KNOW? unexpected financial difficulty. This amount will vary
based on a persons life situation and employment
According to Lynnette Khalfani (www.themoney stability. A three-month emergency fund is probably
coach.net), LIFE is the major budget buster: adequate for a person with a stable income or secure
L is Listed expenses (housing, utilities, food, employment, while a person with erratic or seasonal
clothing) that are underestimated. income may need to set aside an emergency fund suf-
I involves Impulse buying, whether in stores or ficient for six months or more of living expenses.
online.
The Fraziers also set aside an amount each month
F are Forgotten bills, such as annual insurance
payments.
for their automobile insurance payment, which is due
E are Emergencies, such as unexpected every six months. Both this amount and the emergency
auto or home repairs. fund are put into a savings account. The time value
of money, discussed in Chapter 1, refers to increases
in an amount of money as a result of interest earned.
Savings methods for achieving financial goals are dis-
cussed later in this chapter.
A very common budgeting mistake is to save only the amount left at the end of the
month. When you do that, you often have nothing left for savings. Since savings are vital to
long-term financial security, advisers suggest that an amount be budgeted as a fixed expense.

STEP 4: BUDGETING FIXED EXPENSES Defi-

nite obligations make up this portion of a budget. As Exhibit3-7
shows, the Fraziers have fixed expenses for housing, taxes, and
loan payments. They make a monthly payment of $29 for life
My Life 4 insurance. The budgeted total for the Fraziers fixed expenses is
$806, or 28 percent of estimated available income.
I adapt my budgeting activities for changing
Assigning amounts to spending categories requires careful
situations.
consideration. The amount you budget for various items will
Your buying habits will vary depending on depend on your current needs and plans for the future. The fol-
the number of people in your household, lowing sources can help you plan your spending:
their ages, and your geographic location. The
spending patterns for various households, Your cash flow statement.
reported with consumer expenditure data Consumer expenditure data from the Bureau of Labor
and the latest consumer price index, are
Statistics.
available at www.stats.bls.gov.
Articles in magazines such as Kiplingers Personal
Finance Magazine and Money.
Estimates of future income and expenses and anticipated
changes in inflation rates.
Exhibit 3-8 provides suggested budget allocations for different life situations.
Although this information can be of value when creating budget categories, maintain-
ing a detailed record of your spending for several months is a better source for your
personal situation. However, dont become discouraged. Use a simple system, such as
a notebook or your checkbook. This spending diary will help you know where your
money is going. Remember, a budget is an estimate for spending and saving intended to
help you make better use of your money, not to reduce your enjoyment of life.

STEP 5: BUDGETING VARIABLE EXPENSES Planning for variable

expenses is not as easy as budgeting for savings or fixed expenses. Variable expenses
will fluctuate by household situation, time of year, health, economic conditions, and a
variety of other factors. A major portion of the Fraziers planned spendingover 60
percent of their budgeted incomeis for variable living costs.
The Fraziers base their estimates on their needs and desires for the items listed and
on expected changes in the cost of living. The consumer price index (CPI) is a mea-
sure of the general price level of consumer goods and services in the United States.

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Chapter 3 Money Management Strategy: Financial Statements and Budgeting 93

Exhibit 3-8 Typical after-tax budget allocations for different life situations

Single Parents Couple

Working Couple Parent (children (over 55, no
Single (no (children (young over 18 in dependent
Budget Category Student dependents) under 18) children) college) children)

Housing (rent or 025% 3035% 2535% 2030% 2530% 2535%

mortgage payment;
utilities; furnishings and
appliances)

Transportation 510 1520 1520 1018 1218 1018

Food (at home and away 1520 1525 1525 1320 1520 1825
from home)

Clothing 512 515 510 510 48 48

Personal and health care 35 35 410 812 46 612

(including child care)

Entertainment and 510 510 48 48 610 58

recreation

Reading and education 1030 24 35 35 612 24

Personal insurance and 05 48 59 59 47 68

pension payments

Gifts, donations, and 46 58 35 35 48 35

contributions

Savings 010 415 510 58 24 35

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (stats.bls.gov); American Demographics; Money; The Wall Street Journal.

This government statistic indicates changes in the buy-

ing power of a dollar. As consumer prices increase DID YOU KNOW?
due to inflation, people must spend more to buy the
same amount. Changes in the cost of living will vary For ideas to cut your spending, go to www.
depending on where you live and what you buy. clarkhoward.com, www.homemoneyhelp
As mentioned in Chapter 1, the rule of 72 can help .com www.debtproofliving.com, and
www.thefrugalshopper.com.
you budget for price rises. At a 2 percent inflation rate,
prices will double in 36 years (72/2). However, at a 6 per-
cent inflation rate, prices will double in 12 years (72/6).

STEP 6: RECORDING SPENDING AMOUNTS After you have estab- budget variance The differ-
lished your spending plan, you will need to keep records of your actual income and ence between the amount
expenses similar to those you keep in preparing an income statement. In Exhibit3-7, budgeted and the actual
notice that the Fraziers estimated specific amounts for income and expenses. These are amount received or spent.
presented under Budgeted Amounts.
The familys actual spending was not always the same as planned. A budget variance deficit The amount by
which actual spending
is the difference between the amount budgeted and the actual amount received or spent.
exceeds planned spending.
The total variance for the Fraziers was a $17 deficit, since their actual spending exceeded
their planned spending by this amount. The Fraziers would have had a surplus if their
surplus The amount by
actual spending had been less than they had planned. which actual spending is
Variances for income should be viewed as the opposite of variances for expenses. Less less than planned spending.
income than expected would be a deficit, while more income than expected would be a surplus.

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94 Part 1 PLANNING YOUR PERSONAL FINANCES

Spending more than planned for an item may be justified by reducing spending for
another item or putting less into savings. However, it may be necessary to revise your
budget and financial goals.

STEP 7: REVIEWING SPENDING AND SAVING PATTERNS Like

most decision-making activities, budgeting is a circular, ongoing process. You will need
to review and perhaps revise your spending plan on a
regular basis.
DID YOU KNOW?
Reviewing Your Financial Progress The results
Households can save money each month by cutting
of your budget may be obvious: having extra cash in
insurance costs, adopting savvier grocery shopping
checking, falling behind in your bill payments, and so
habits, using less energy, switching to a less expen-
sive cable or phone plan, and avoiding the fees and on. However, such obvious results may not always be
high payments that come with debt. They can also present. Occasionally, you will have to evaluate (with
choose not to receive a tax refund at the end of the other household members, if appropriate) and review
year and instead to pay less taxes every areas where spending has been more or less than
month. These actions may end up saving expected.
households an additional $500 a As Exhibit 3-9 shows, you can prepare an annual
month or more! summary to compare actual spending with budgeted
amounts. This type of summary may also be prepared
every three or six months. A spreadsheet computer
program can be useful for this purpose. The summary
will help you see areas where changes in your budget
may be necessary. This review process is vital to both successful short-term money
management and long-term financial security.

Exhibit 3-9 An annual budget summary

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Chapter 3 Money Management Strategy: Financial Statements and Budgeting 95

Revising Your Goals and Budget Allocations What should you cut first when a
budget shortage occurs? This question doesnt have easy answers, and the answers will
vary for different household situations. The most common overspending areas are enter-
tainment and food, especially away-from-home meals. Purchasing less expensive brand
items, buying quality used products, avoiding credit card purchases, and renting rather
than buying are common budget adjustment techniques. When having to cut household
budgets, reduced spending most often occurs for vacations, dining out, cleaning and
lawn services, cable/Internet service, and charitable donations.
At this point in the budgeting process, you may also revise your financial goals. Are
you making progress toward achieving your objectives? Have changes in personal or
economic conditions affected the desirability of certain goals? Have new goals surfaced
that should be given a higher priority than those that have been your major concern?
Addressing these issues while creating an effective saving method will help ensure
accomplishment of your financial goals.

CHARACTERISTICS OF
SUCCESSFUL BUDGETING
Having a spending plan will not eliminate financial
worries. A budget will work only if you follow it.
Changes in income, expenses, and goals will require
changes in your spending plan. Money management
experts advise that a successful budget should be
Well planned. A good budget takes time and effort
to prepare. Planning a budget should involve
everyone affected by it. Children can learn impor-
tant money management lessons by helping to
The budgeting process should
develop and use the family budget.
be a cooperative effort among
Realistic. If you have a moderate income, dont immediately expect to save all household members.
enough money for an expensive car or a lavish vacation. A budget is designed not
to prevent you from enjoying life but to help you achieve what you want most.
Flexible. Unexpected expenses and changes in your cost of living will require a
budget that you can easily revise. Also, special situations, such as two-income fam-
ilies or the arrival of a baby, may require an increase in certain types of expenses.
Clearly communicated. Unless you and others involved are aware of the spending
plan, it will not work. The budget should be written and available to all house-
hold members.

Sheet 17
CONCEPT CHECK 3-4 Cash
budget
1 What are the main purposes of a budget?
2 How does a persons life situation affect goal setting and amounts allocated for Sheet 18
various budget categories? Annual budget
3 What are the main steps in creating a budget? summary
4 What are commonly recommended qualities of a successful budget?
5 What actions might you take when evaluating your budgeting program?
Action Application Ask two or three friends or relatives about the budgeting
system they use for their spending records. Create a visual presentation (video or
slide presentation) that communicates wise budgeting techniques.

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HOW TO . . .
Sele a Budgeting Syem
Although your checkbook and online payments summary may give you a fairly complete picture of your
expenses, these records do not serve the purpose of planning for spending. A budget requires that you
outline how you will spend available income. The following are commonly used budgeting systems:

1. A mental budget exists only in a persons mind. This simple system may be appropriate if you have
limited resources and minimal financial responsibilities. An in your head budget can be dangerous
when you forget the amounts you plan to spend on various items.
2. A physical budget involves envelopes, folders, or containers to hold money or slips of paper repre-
senting amounts allocated for spending categories. This system allows you to actually see where your
money goes. Envelopes would contain the amount of cash or a note listing the amount to be used for
Food, Rent, Clothing, Auto Payment, Entertainment, and other expenses.
3. A written budget allows you provide a detailed plan for spending. This type of budget can be in a
notebook or on accounting paper or a budget record book available in office supply stores. A common
written budget format is a spreadsheet that has several monthly columns for comparing budgeted and
actual amounts for various expense items.
4. A computerized budgeting system may be developed using spreadsheet software. Excel budget
templates may be located online. Or, you may use money management software such as Quicken
(www.quicken.com). In addition to creating a budget, these programs are capable of doing other
financial planning tasks.
5. An online budget may be used through a Web site such as mint.com. In addition, banks, credit unions,
brokerage firms, and other financial institutions have various budgeting and personal financial
management tools on their Web sites.
6. A budgeting app for your cell phone is also a consideration. Several choices are available with various
features and complexity. Costs range from free downloads to a few dollars.

Your decision for a budgeting system will depend on your personal situation and your preference for
maintaining your information. The most important consideration when choosing a system is to find one that
provides accurate and timely information for helping you achieve your financial goals.

Money Management and Achieving

Financial Goals
Objective 5 Your personal financial statements and budget allow you to achieve your financial
goals with
Relate money management
and savings activities to 1. Your balance sheet: reporting your current financial positionwhere you are now.
achieving financial goals. 2. Your cash flow statement: telling you what you received and spent over the past
month.
3. Your budget: planning spending and saving to achieve financial goals.
People commonly prepare a balance sheet on a periodic basis, such as every three
or six months. Between those points in time, your budget and cash flow statement help
you plan and measure spending and saving activities. For example, you might prepare a
balance sheet on January 1 and July 1. Your budget would serve to plan your spending

96

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Chapter 3 Money Management Strategy: Financial Statements and Budgeting 97

and saving between these points in time, and your cash flow statement of income and
outflows would document your actual spending and saving. This relationship may be
illustrated in this way:

Projected savings and Projected savings and

spending (budget) spending (budget)
Balance Balance Balance
sheet sheet sheet
January 1 June 30 December 31
Actual inows Actual inows
and outows and outows
(cash ow statements) (cash ow statements)

(January 1 to June 30) (July 1 to December 31)

Changes in your net worth result from cash inflows and outflows. In periods when
your outflows exceed your inflows, you must draw on savings or borrow (buy on credit).
When this happens, lower assets (savings) or higher liabilities (due to the use of credit)
result in a lower net worth. When inflows exceed outflows, putting money into savings
or paying off debts will result in a higher net worth.

IDENTIFYING SAVING GOALS

Saving current income (as well as investing, which is discussed in Chapters 1317) is
the basis for an improved financial position and long-term financial security. Common
reasons for saving include:
To set aside money for irregular and unexpected expenses.
To pay for the replacement of expensive items, such as appliances
or an automobile, or to have money for a down payment on a
house.
To buy expensive items such as electronics or sports equipment or
to pay for a vacation.
To provide for long-term expenses such as the education of children
or retirement.
To earn income from the interest on savings for use in paying living
expenses.

SELECTING A SAVING TECHNIQUE Specific savings activities

contribute to achieving
For many years, the United States has ranked lowest among industrial nations in sav- long-term financial goals.
ings rate. Low savings affect personal financial situations. Studies reveal that the major-
ity of Americans do not have an adequate amount set aside for emergencies.
Since most people find saving difficult, financial
advisers suggest these methods to make it easier:
DID YOU KNOW?
1. Write a check each payday and deposit it in a sav-
ings account not readily available for regular spend- For years, coworkers were amused by a woman who
ing. Or use an automatic payment to electronically carried a brown bag lunch to her job each day. That
transfer an amount to your savings. This savings woman later retired in financial comfort and lived
deposit can be a percentage of income, such as 5 or her later years in beachfront property.
10 percent, or a specific dollar amount. A daily coffee and muffin can add up
to over $1,300 a year.
2. Payroll deduction is available through most places
of employment. With this system, an amount is
deducted from your salary and deposited in savings.

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98 Part 1 PLANNING YOUR PERSONAL FINANCES

3. Saving coins or spending less on certain items can help you save. Each day, put
your change in a container. You can also increase your savings by taking a sandwich
to work instead of buying lunch or refraining from buying snacks or magazines.
How you save is far less important than making regular periodic
savings deposits that will help you achieve financial goals. Small
amounts of savings can grow faster than most people realize.
My Life 5
I regularly review the status of my saving CALCULATING SAVINGS
goals. AMOUNTS
Reaching your financial goals will depend on
To achieve your financial objectives, you should convert your
the savings method used and the time value
of money. How do the examples shown in
savings goals into specific amounts. Your use of a savings
Exhibit3-10, Using Savings to Achieve Finan- or investment plan is vital to the growth of your money. As
cial Goals, relate to your current or future life Exhibit3-10 shows, using the time value of money calculations,
situation? introduced in Chapter 1, can help you calculate progress toward
achieving your financial goals.

Sheet 19
College education CONCEPT CHECK 3-5
cost analysis,
savings plan 1 What are some suggested methods to make saving easy?
2 What methods are available to calculate amounts needed to reach savings goals?
Action Application Interview a young single person, a young couple, and a
middle-aged person about their financial goals and savings habits. What actions do
they take to determine and achieve various financial goals?

Exhibit 3-10 Financial Saving

Annual
Interest Savings
Savings Balance After:
Goal Method
Rate
Using savings to achieve
financial goals
Set aside $6,000 2 years 5 years 10 years
A single
for unexpected
deposit
expenses and 3% $6,365 $6,956 $8,064
from past
nancial
savings
emergencies

2 years 4 years 6 years

Save for a down Deposit
payment to $200 every 4% $1,657 $3,452 $5,395
purchase a home three months

10 years 20 years 30 years

Save for Deposit
retirement living $2,000 a 8% $28,973 $91,524 $226,566
expenses year

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y L ife S ta ge s fo r M oney M an ag ement . . .

M
...in my 30s ...in my 50s
...in college ...in my 20s
and 40s and beyond

Update personal Determine potential

Maintain spending Create a personal changes in daily
balance sheet and financial statements
diary to monitor spending needs
daily finances income statement Begin investment during retirement
on an annual basis program for funding
Create a system for childrens education Consider increased
financial records Accumulate an savings and
and documents appropriate Adapt budget to contributions to
emergency fund changing house- retirement plans
Use a budget that hold needs
included savings Revise budget

SUMMARY OF OBJECTIVES

Objective 1 statement, is a summary of cash receipts and payments for a

given period, such as a month or a year. This report provides
Recognize relationships among financial documents and
data on your income and spending patterns.
money management activities.
Successful money management requires effective coordination
of personal financial records, personal financial statements, and Objective 4
budgeting activities. Create and implement a budget.
Your budgeting activities should involve a process with four
Objective 2 phases: (1) assessing your current personal and financial situa-
Design a system for maintaining personal financial records. tion, (2) planning your financial direction by setting financial
Your system for organizing personal financial records and docu- goals and creating budget allowances, (3) implementing your
ments is the foundation of effective money management. This budget, and (4) evaluating your budgeting program.
structure should provide ease of access as well as security for
financial documents that may be impossible to replace. Objective 5
Relate money management and savings activities to achieve
Objective 3 financial goals.
Develop a personal balance sheet and cash flow statement. Your saving goals should be based on the relationship among
A personal balance sheet, also known as a net worth statement, the personal balance sheet, cash flow statement, and budget.
is prepared by listing all items of value (assets) and all amounts Saving current income provides the basis for achieving long-
owed to others (liabilities). The difference between your total term financial security. Future value and present value calcula-
assets and your total liabilities is your net worth. A cash flow tions may be used to compute the increased value of savings for
statement, also called a personal income and expenditure achieving financial goals.

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KEY TERMS
assets 82 deficit 93 money management 78
balance sheet 82 discretionary income 86 net worth 84
budget 88 income 85 safe deposit box 80
budget variance 93 insolvency 84 surplus 93
cash flow 85 liabilities 84 take-home pay 86
cash flow statement 85 liquid assets 83
current liabilities 87 long-term liabilities 84

KEY FORMULAS

Page Topic Formula

82 Net worth Net worth = Total assets Total liabilities

Example: = $125,000 $53,000
= $72,000
85 Cash surplus (or deficit) Cash surplus (or deficit) = Total inflows Total outflows
Example: = $5,600 $4,970
= $630 (surplus)
87 Debt ratio Debt ratio = Liabilities/Net worth
Example: = $7,000/$21,000
= 0.33
87 Current ratio Current ratio = Liquid assets/Current liabilities
Example: = $8,500/$4,500
= 1.88
87 Liquidity ratio Liquidity ratio = Liquid assets/Monthly expenses
Example: = $8,500/$3,500
= 2.4
87 Debt-payments ratio Debt-payments ratio = Monthly credit payments/Take-home pay
Example: = $760/$3,800
= 0.20
87 Savings ratio Savings ratio = Amount saved per month/Gross monthly income
Example: = $460/$3,800
= 0.12

SELF-TEST PROBLEMS
1. The Hamilton household has $145,000 in assets and $63,000 in liabilities. What is the familys net worth?
2. Harold Daley budgeted $210 for food for the month of July. He spent $227 on food during July. Does he have a budget surplus or
deficit, and what amount?

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Self-Test Solutions

1. Net worth is determined by assets ($145,000) minus liabilities ($63,000) resulting in $82,000.
2. The budget deficit of $17 is calculated by subtracting the actual spending ($227) from the budgeted amount ($210).

FINANCIAL PLANNING PROBLEMS

1. Creating Personal Financial Statements. Based on the procedures presented in the chapter, prepare your current personal balance
sheet and a cash flow statement for the next month. (Obj. 3)
2. Calculating Balance Sheet Amounts. Based on the following data, compute the total assets, total liabilities, and net worth. (Obj. 3)
Liquid assets, $4,670 Household assets, $93,780
Investment assets, $14,350 Long-term liabilities, $76,230
Current liabilities, $2,670
3. Preparing a Personal Balance Sheet. Use the following items to prepare a balance sheet and a cash flow statement. Determine
the total assets, total liabilities, net worth, total cash inflows, and total cash outflows. (Obj. 3)
Rent for the month, $650 Auto insurance, $230
Monthly take-home salary, $1,950 Household possessions, $3,400
Cash in checking account, $450 Stereo equipment, $2,350
Savings account balance, $1,890 Payment for electricity, $90
Spending for food, $345 Lunches/parking at work, $180
Balance of educational loan, $2,160 Donations, $70
Current value of automobile, $7,800 Home computer, $1,500
Telephone bill paid for month, $65 Value of stock investment, $860
Credit card balance, $235 Clothing purchase, $110
Loan payment, $80 Restaurant spending, $130

4. Computing Balance Sheet Amounts. For each of the following situations, compute the missing amount. (Obj. 3)

a. Assets $45,000; liabilities $11,400; net worth $ .

b. Assets $76,500; liabilities $ ; net worth $13,700.
c. Assets $44,280; liabilities $12,965; net worth $ .
d. Assets $ ; liabilities $38,345; net worth $52,654.

5. Calculating Financial Ratios. The Fram family has liabilities of $128,000 and a net worth of $340,000. What is their debt ratio?
How would you assess this? (Obj. 3)
6. Determining Financial Progress. Carl Lester has liquid assets of $2,680 and current liabilities of $2,436. What is his current
ratio? What comments do you have about this financial position? (Obj. 3)
7. Determining Budget Variances. Fran Bowen created the following budget:

Food, $350 Clothing, $100

Transportation, $320 Personal expenses and recreation, $275
Housing, $950

She actually spent $298 for food, $337 for transportation, $982 for housing, $134 for clothing, and $231 for personal expenses
and recreation. Calculate the variance for each of these categories, and indicate whether it was a deficit or a surplus. (Obj. 4)

8. Calculating the Effect of Inflation. Bill and Sally Kaplan have an annual spending plan that amounts to $36,000. If inflation is
3 percent a year for the next three years, what amount will the Kaplans need for their living expenses three years from now?
(Obj. 4)

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9. Computing the Time Value of Money for Savings. Use future value and present value calculations (see tables in the Chapter 1
appendix) to determine the following. (Obj. 5)

a. The future value of a $500 savings deposit after eight years at an annual interest rate of 3 percent.
b. The future value of saving $1,500 a year for five years at an annual interest rate of 4 percent.
c. The present value of a $2,000 savings account that will earn 3 percent interest for four years.

10. Calculating Present Value of a Savings Fund. Hal Thomas wants to establish a savings fund from which a community organiza-
tion could draw $800 a year for 20 years. If the account earns 3 percent, what amount would he have to deposit now to achieve
this goal? (Obj. 5)
11. Future Value of Reduced Spending. Brenda plans to reduce her spending by $80 a month. Calculate the future value of this
increase in saving over the next 10 years. (Assume an annual deposit to her savings account, and an annual interest rate of
5 percent.) (Obj. 5)
12. Future Value of Savings. Kara George received a $6,000 gift for graduation from her uncle. If she deposits the entire amount in
an account paying 3 percent, what will be the value of this gift in 15 years? (Obj. 5)

FINANCIAL PLANNING ACTIVITIES

1. Researching Money Management Information. Using Web sites, library sources, friends, relatives, and others, obtain information
on common suggestions for successful money management. (Obj. 1)
2. Comparing Financial Record Systems. Conduct a survey of people of various ages to determine the system they use to keep track
of various financial documents and records. (Obj. 2)
3. Creating Personal Financial Statements. Using Sheets 15 and 16 in the Personal Financial Planner, or some other format,
prepare a personal balance sheet and cash flow statement. (Obj. 3)
4. Researching Money Management Software. Use the Internet, store visits, or advertisements to determine software or Web sites a
person might use to prepare personal financial statements, create a budget, and monitor spending, saving, and investing. (Obj. 3, 4)
5. Analyzing Budgeting Situations. Discuss with several people how the budget in Exhibit3-7 might be changed based on various
budget variances. If the household faced a decline in income, what spending areas might be reduced first? (Obj. 4)
6. Analyzing Saving Habits. Interview a young single person, a young couple, and a middle-aged person about their financial goals
and saving habits. What actions do they take to determine and achieve various financial goals? (Obj. 5)

FINANCIAL PLANNING CASE

A Little Becomes a Lot includes regularly saving and investing for the childrens educa-
tion and for retirement.
Can you imagine saving 25 cents a week and having it grow to Recently, Ken was asked by a coworker, Brian, How come
over $30,000? you and Alicia never seem to have financial stress in your
As hard as that may be to believe, thats exactly what Ken household?
Lopez was able to do. Putting aside a quarter a week starting in Ken replied, Do you know where your money is going each
second grade, he built up a small savings account. These funds month?
were then invested in various stocks and mutual funds. Not really, was Brians response.
While in college, Ken was able to pay for his education Youd be surprised by how much is spent on little things
while continuing to save between $50 and $100 a month. He you might do without, Ken responded.
closely monitored spending. Ken realized that the few dollars I guess so. I just dont want to have to go around with a
here and there for snacks and other minor purchases quickly notebook writing down every amount I spend, Brian said in a
add up. troubled voice.
Today, at age 27, Ken works as a customer service man- Well, you have to take some action if you want your
ager for an online sales division of a retailing company. He financial situation to change, Ken said in an encouraging voice.
lives with his wife, Alicia, and their two young children. The Brian conceded with, All right, what would you
familys spending plan allows for all their needs and also recommend?

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Questions

1. What money management behaviors did Ken practice that 3. Are your money management activities more like Kens
most people neglect? Brians? What actions might you take to provide better
2. What additional goals might be appropriate for Ken, Alicia, control of your spending and to increase your saving?
and their children?

PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNER IN ACTION

Personal Financial Statements and a Spending Plan
Money management activities are the basis for most financial planning activities. Creation of a financial document filing system, a per-
sonal balance sheet, a cash flow statement, and a budget provide you with tools for setting, implementing, and achieving financial goals.

Your Short-Term Financial Planning Activities Resources

1. Develop a filing system to organize your financial records and documents. PFP Sheet 14
www.quicken.com
www.kiplinger.com
2. Create a personal balance sheet and a personal cash flow statement. PFP Sheets 15, 16
www.money.com
www.lifeadvice.com
3. Based on your current financial situation, set short-term financial goals and PFP Sheets 17, 18
develop a budget. Monitor your spending for various categories. www.betterbudgeting.com
www.mymoney.gov
www.mint.com
4. Accumulate an appropriate amount for an emergency fund. www.clevelandsaves.org
www.choosetosave.org

Your Long-Term Financial Planning Activities Resources

1. Set long-term financial goals related to education, housing, or retirement. PFP Sheet 19
www.statefarm.com/lifevents/lifevents.htm
www.dinkytown.net
2. Develop a savings plan, such as automatic withdrawals, to achieve Text pages
long-term financial goals. www.asec.org

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CONTINUING CASE

Money Management Activities

Life Situation Financial Data
Single Monthly Income (after taxes) $1,450
Age 21 Personal property $7,300
No dependents Savings $2,000
College student Student loan $3,000
Credit card debt $2,400
Rent $400
Utilities $75
Car insurance $100
Cell phone $50
Credit card payment $40
Gas/Car maintenance $100
Cable/Internet $45
Groceries $300
Clothing $50
Gifts & donations $50

Since Shelby has a fixed income each month, she has been using her credit card to make ends meet. Although she pays the minimum
required by the credit card company each month, her credit card debt is rising at an alarming rate. She knows that she is not clear
on where all of her money is going but she is glad to be able to share expenses with her roommate, Melinda. She does have a small
amount of savings, but she is not sure it is enough if an emergency were to occur.

Questions
1. Since a budget is made up of fixed expenses and variable expenses, identify which of Shelbys expenses fall into each category.
Then total each category and compare it to her monthly income to determine if she has a surplus or deficit.
2. Based on the information above, how much should Shelby have in an emergency fund? What steps should she take to reach this
amount?
3. Describe how Shelby might use the following Personal Financial Planner sheets for assessing her financial condition (Creating a
Personal Balance Sheet, Creating a Personal Cash Flow Statement, and Developing a Personal Budget).

DAILY SPENDING DIARY

I am amazed how little things can add up. However, since I started keeping track of all my spending, I realized that
I need to cut down on some items so I can put some money away into savings.

Directions
Continue or start using the Daily Spending Diary sheets, or create your own format, to record every cent of your spending in the
categories provided. This experience will help you better understand your spending patterns and help you plan for achieving financial
goals.

Analysis Questions

1. What information from your Daily Spending Diary might encourage you to reconsider various money management actions?
2. How can your Daily Spending Diary assist you when planning and implementing a budget?

The Daily Spending Diary sheets are located in Appendix C at the end of the book and on the student Web site at www.mhhe.com/kdh

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