Budgeting

A written spending plan for your money that includes Giving, Saving, and Spending is critical to achieving financial freedom.  There is nothing more powerful than planning your spending BEFORE any of the money ever shows up and BEFORE the month begins.

To get started using these budget tools, We highly recommend that you first read the “How Do I Budget” series HERE.

These tools require the use of Microsoft Excel.  If you do not have Excel, use a free alternative like Open Office (MAC or Windows) or Google Docs which are both excellent alternatives to purchasing Excel)

• The best tool to use if you are paid monthly or if you have enough money in the bank to pay ALL of the bills at the start of the month.
• Click HERE to read how to best use this tool.

• The best tool to use to plan every single paycheck received during the month.
• Click HERE to read how to best use this tool.

• A great tool to use for planning how “found money” will be spent.  “Found money” includes tax refunds, bonuses, inheritance, or money obtained from selling something.
• Click HERE to read how to best use this tool.

The below tools are web-based and do NOT require Microsoft Excel but please be aware that THE DATA YOU ENTER WILL NOT BE STORED!

• Does NOT require Microsoft Excel
• Similar to Excel Monthly Budget

 Monthly Budget Form (by Week) (web-based)

• Does NOT require Microsoft Excel
• Similar to Excel Monthly Budget (by Week)

Debt

Debt has the potential to rob people of their plans, hopes, and dreams.  We are passionate about helping others become DEBT-FREE so they are freed up to go do EXACTLY what they have been put on earth to do – regardless of the income potential.

Use the tools below to get started on your Debt Freedom March.

Some of these tools require the use of Microsoft Excel.  If you do not have Excel, use a free alternative likeOpen Office (MAC or Windows) or Google Docs which are both excellent alternatives to purchasing Excel)

• This calculation is designed to provide an estimate of your Debt Freedom Date.
• Enter your debt balances and monthly payments to calculate when YOU will become DEBT-FREE!
• Click HERE to read how to best use this tool.

 Actual Cost Of Debt Calculator

• A more detailed version of the Debt Freedom Date Calculator
• Enter your debt names, balances, monthly payments, and interest rates.  This calculator will tell you how much of your payments are actually reducing the amount you owe and how much is going to the banks!
• If you have high-interest credit cards, it is essential to surf the balances to zero-percent cards to ensure that ALL of the payment is going toward reducing the balance owed.
• Click HERE to read how to best use this tool.

 Early Pay-Off Calculator

• Use this tool to find out how much sooner you can be debt-free by making extra payments every month.
• Click HERE to read how to best use this tool.

The below tool is web-based and does NOT require Microsoft Excel but please be aware that THE DATA YOU ENTER WILL NOT BE STORED!

• Does NOT require Microsoft Excel
• Similar to Excel Debt Freedom Date Calculator

Saving

It is important to save and invest to fund three major categories:
• Emergencies
• Known, Upcoming Expenses
• Dreams (Retirement, College, Trip around the world)

We define “savings” as money that will be needed within the next five years.  This money should be saved in no-risk, guaranteed accounts.  We define “investing” as money that will not be needed within the next five years, therefore we are OK with taking additional risk with that money.

Use the tools below to prepare for all of your plans, hopes, and dreams!

• Calculates the future value of your investments based on the interest rate, number of months, current value, and monthly amount invested.

• Calculates the nest-egg required in order to retire based on the annual amount you want to retire on and when you would like to retire.

 Known, Upcoming Expenses Calculator

• Allows you to save for known, upcoming non-monthly expenses like vacation, Christmas, annual insurance premiums, annual property taxes,etc.
• Click HERE to learn how to best utilize this tool.

 Savings Account Balance Tracking Tool

• It is important to know where every dollar is intended to be used.  If you have multiple savings and checking accounts, this is a tool you can use to name every dollar you have.

Calculators

Use the calculators below to plan for your financial future.   We recommend that you try several scenarios to see the effect of different financial decisions you are considering.  This really helps take a lot of the emotion out of the decision process!

Known, Upcoming Expenses Calculator

Debt Freedom Date Calculator

Retirement Nest-Egg Required Calculator

 Investment Value Calculator