User Guide

Your first forecast, step by step

1. Gather your starting figures. Have an opening account balance, regular income and bills, payment dates, and upcoming one-time costs ready.
2. Start with Cashflow. Choose the account and starting period. Enter a balance from before the transactions you intend to model, then add income and expenses.
3. Look beyond the month-end balance. Review the lowest projected balance and the timing of bills. A positive month-end balance can hide a shortfall earlier in the month.
4. Build your retirement plan. Review Retirement Inputs, including spending, income, retirement year and assumptions. Current spending is a starting point; retirement spending may differ.
5. Explore a change. Use Retirement What-If to compare retirement years, then Monte Carlo to explore varying simulated outcomes. Review the assumptions behind each result.
6. Keep it useful. Update balances and scheduled items when circumstances change. Compare the same account and period when checking results.

Choose your guide

Before you rely on a result

Check the account, starting date, units and forecast period. A projection follows the inputs and assumptions you enter; it does not verify bank activity or guarantee future results. If the same money appears in two calculators, do not count it as two separate assets.

Have a specific question? Search the FAQ for answers about payment timing, overrides, retirement costs and scenario results.