TITLE
CHECKBOOK HELP
SUBTITLE
GENERAL



START
The Checkbook Subsystem will keep track of up to 999 different checkbooks.  It
will calculate balances, and do automatic Credit Payments.

The Main Checkbook Screen will display your checkbook entries.  You can use
the arrow keys as well as PgUp, PgDn, Home, and End keys to move from one
record to another.


Each record is displayed in the following format (a description line will
appear at the bottom of the Main Window while in the Checkbook):

The first column is the Record Number - This column is mainly for the program
    to use.  The numbers in this column move up sequentially zero (0).  You
    can also use these numbers in the Print system as "from/to" parameters .


The second column contains the Transaction Code - This number refers to the
    type of transaction that the record contains.  The transaction types are
    listed in the Information Window

The third column contains the Check Number - This is the number of the check
    that was written.  A Check Number of zero (0) will leave this column
    blank.

The fourth column is the Transaction Date - This is the date that the
    transaction was entered into the database.

The fifth column is the Transaction Description - This is a brief a
    description of the transaction.



The sixth column contains the Transaction Amount - A negative number in this
    column represents a withdrawal from your account.  A positive number
    represents a deposit.

The seventh column is the Balance - This lists the current balance of your
    account.


The last column is the Paid asterisk - If an asterisk appears in this column,
    then the transaction has been paid.  This is used for balancing purposes.

The available options in the Checkbook Menu are:  Add, Edit, Print, Balance,
and Switch.  The following screens will go into more detail on each of these
options.  For more information on the Print option please see the Print help
section.

TITLE
CHECKBOOK HELP
SUBTITLE
ADD RECORD



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Unlike the Credit System, when Add Record (F2) is chosen in the Checkbook
system, you will keep adding records until the Escape (ESC) Key is pressed
when you are asked for a transaction code.

The first question you will be asked is for a transaction code.  These are
listed in the Information Window in the bottom left hand side of the screen.
Depending on the type of transaction selected, one or more of the following
questions will be asked:
(1) Check Number - Enter the check number of the check that you writing.  This
    asked only during the WRITE CHECK and CREDIT CARD PAYMENT transactions.

(2) Description - Type in a brief 1 line description of the transaction that
    is being performed.



(3) Amount - Type in the amount of the transaction.  DO NOT TYPE IN A PLUS OR
    MINUS SIGN.  THE PROGRAM WILL AUTOMATICALLY DETERMINE IF THE TRANSACTION
    IS A DEPOSIT OR A WITHDRAWAL.  If an ATM WITHDRAWAL is selected, then you
    will also be asked to enter the ATM Service Charge.




(4) Credit Card Selection - If a CREDIT CARD PAYMENT is selected, then the
    Information Window will be cleared and a listing of the available cards
    will be displayed.  Use the UP and DOWN Arrow keys to select a card.
    Press RETURN to select the current card.

After you have finished adding records, press the ESC to return the Checkbook
Menu.

TITLE
CHECKBOOK HELP
SUBTITLE
EDIT RECORD



START
If an error is made when entering a record, it can be fixed by choosing Edit
(F3) from the Checkbook Menu.  The Edit subsystem allows for more flexibility
in entering information.  The only way to change the date record is through
the edit subsystem.

While in edit, you will be asked to enter all the information again.
IMPORTANT:  EVEN IF THERE ARE NO CHANGES, THE INFORMATION MUST BE RE-ENTERED.

Once in edit, you must finish editing the record.  There is no way to exit out
until you have completed all changes.

The edit subsystem will allow you to enter invalid numbers.  I have made this
available for people who would like to make or use there own transaction
codes, however, when these are printed out, the statement OTHER will appear
under the transaction description column.

TITLE
CHECKBOOK HELP
SUBTITLE
BALANCING YOUR CHECKBOOK



START
The one thing I like about using about computer to do the checkbook is that I
can balance my accounts in a couple of minutes.  I have spent hours trying to
do my account on paper and figure out where the hell I messed up.

By selecting Balance (F5) from the Checkbook subsystem you are put in Balance
mode.  By using the cursor keys, select the lines of paid checks and
transactions and press the space bar.  The paid asterisk will toggle between
paid/unpaid every time the space bar is pressed.
Once all paid checks are marked and all service and finance charges have been
added, press the Calculate (F2) key and the computer will attempt to calculate
your balance.  Enter the balance amount from your bank statement and the
computer will tell you whether your balance is over, under, or even.  If your
checkbook does not balance then you will be asked if you want to correct your
checkbook.  If you answer yes then your checkbook will be updated.

Quick, simple, and easy!
TITLE
CHECKBOOK HELP
SUBTITLE
SWITCHING/CREATING CHECKBOOKS



START
This program has the ability to keep track of 999 different checkbooks.  To
switch between one checkbook and another, or to create a new checkbook, hit
the Switch (F6) key.

To choose a different checkbook, use the Up and Down keys to select the
checkbook that you are interested in.  Once the name of the description of the
checkbook you want is on the same line as the cursor, press the Enter key.

To create a new checkbook, press the Create (F2) key.  You will be asked to
enter a checkbook name and description.

There is no way to delete a checkbook once it is created.  Make sure that all
the information you enter is correct before you hit the enter key.



END
TITLE
CREDIT CARD HELP
SUBTITLE
GENERAL


START
The eighties and nineties are going to be know as the age of credit.  Even our
government works on credit.  Once you get credit, they start offering you more
credit.

This is what happened to me.  I wanted just a little credit.  Enough to get me
by, but once I got credit I had companies knocking down my door to give me
more.  Stupidly I took it.  This is the root of the financial rut I'm in.
I even bought my computer on credit.  I needed to keep track of my credit card
balances.  I wanted to see which card I owed more on and which needed payments
more than others.  This program has helped me keep my own finances in line,
I'm sure it can help you with yours.

I also designed this program so that if a check is written to make a credit
card payment, the computer will automatically adjust the respective card.
This made life a lot easier when it came to figuring out how much I owed (or
how much I could spend without getting charge mega-fees).
There are two sections to the Credit Card system.  The first section is the
Credit Card Section.  This section keeps track of the actual cards and there
credit limits.

The second section is the Transaction section.  This section keeps track of
each individual transaction.  All transactions for all cards are kept here.
This section is a little bit complicated.  I will get into this more later.

TITLE
CREDIT CARD HELP
SUBTITLE
CREDIT CARDS--GENERAL



START
To get to this section, press the Credit Card (F2) key from the Credit Card
menu.  I list of the cards that you have currently on record will be displayed
along with there respective credit limits.

If a card has no credit limit, then the word NONE will be displayed in the
credit limit column.


TITLE
CREDIT CARD HELP
SUBTITLE
CREDIT CARDS--ADDING



START
To add credit cards to the file, press the Add (F2) key.  Unlike the checkbook
system, you must finish adding the card after you have hit the F2 key.  This
is not a problem because you can always delete or edit the card if you made an
error.




You will be asked three question when adding a credit card.  First, you will
be asked who issued the credit card.  This is usually the name of the bank
that actually gave you card (e.g. CitiBank).  If the issuer and the card are
the same, I usually put that information here also (e.g. Sears).




The second question that will be asked is a description of the card.  This is
meant for the type of card (e.g. MasterCard, Visa, Gold Card, etc.).  If the
issuer of the card is the same as the type of card I usually leave this
section blank.




Here is an example of a what I mean:

Issuer             Description
Citibank           Visa
American Express   Gold Card
Sears
Texaco
Chemical Bank      Master Card
The last question that is asked is the Credit Limit on the card.  If the
credit card has no credit limit, for instance, gas cards and American Express,
enter 0.  This tells the computer that you want to keep track of the balance
on the card instead of the credit available.




TITLE
CREDIT CARD HELP
SUBTITLE
CREDIT CARDS--EDITING



START
Credit Card Companies have the reputation of once they give you credit,
they'll be more than glad to give you more credit.  The credit limits on my
card change faster than the signs at McDonalds!  This is the main reason
behind the Card Editing feature.

By pressing Edit (F4) from the credit card menu, you will be able to edit the
card on the selection line.  Just like with all the other edit selections, you
must re-enter ALL the information, even it does not change.
Enter the information in the format as in the Add Card section.







TITLE
CREDIT CARD HELP
SUBTITLE
CREDIT CARDS--DELETING



START
For those of you out there that have had the mis-fortune of having a credit
card taken away from you, or those of you who are smart enough to have ripped
the card into little pieces and mail it back to the company with a letter
telling them where to go, it is possible to remove a card from the list.

To delete a card, move the selection line until the card to be deleted is
highlighted.  Press the Delete (F3) key.  You will be asked to confirm the
deletion.  Pressing 'Y' will remove, Pressing 'N' will abort.
ONCE A CARD IS DELETED, THERE IS NO WAY OF GETTING IT BACK.  All transactions
in the transaction file will be moved to card 9999 'Deleted'.  You will not be
able to add anymore transactions to deleted cards.





TITLE
CREDIT CARD HELP
SUBTITLE
TRANSACTIONS--GENERAL



START
This section is the heart of the credit card system.  This is where ALL credit
card transactions are kept.  To get to this section press the Transactions
(F3) key from the Credit Card Menu.  The screen will be cleared and a list of
all your transactions will appear.  Like in the checkbook, using the Up, Down,
PgUp, PgDn, Home, and End keys will move you from one record to another.

The Input Window will display all the pertinent information on the currently
highlighted card.
The following information will be displayed on the screen (a description line
will be displayed on the bottom of the Main Window while in the Card
Transaction mode):

The first column contains the Record Number.  This column is mainly for
internal use, but it can also be used as a from/to range in the Print system.


The second column contains the Transaction Code.  An explanation of the codes
will appear in the Information Window.

The third column contains the Card Number.  This is used as a cross-reference
to the Credit Card Table.  This number corresponds to a specific card, whos
information will be displayed in the input window.  If 9999 appears in this
column, then the record corresponds to a deleted card.

The fourth column contains the Transaction Date.  This date corresponds to the
date that the transaction was entered into the file.

The fifth column contains the Transaction Description.  This is a brief
description of what the Transaction was all about.



The sixth column contains the amount of the Transaction.  A negative number
means either a purchase (for cards with a credit limit) or a payment (for
cards without credit limits).  A positive number means just the opposite.  The
program will automatically determine whether the transaction is an credit or a
debit.

The seventh column contains the current balance as of that particular record.

The eighth and last column tells you whether the number in the seventh column
is the current balance on the card or if it is the credit available on that
card.

The available options from the Credit Card Transaction menu are Add, Edit,
and Sort.


TITLE
CREDIT CARD HELP
SUBTITLE
TRANSACTIONS--ADDING



START
To add transactions to the file, press the Add (F2) key.  Unlike the checkbook
system, you must finish adding a record once you have started.  When you add a
transaction, you will be asked to answer some of the following questions:

(1) You will first be asked for the transaction code.  These are listed in the
    information window.  Choose the appropriate code for the transaction being
    performed.  NOTE:  If you are choosing a payment, you could might be able
    to do it from the Checkbook system.  Please see Checkbook Help.
(2) Description - You may be asked for a description of the transaction.
    Write a brief explanation of the transaction being performed.

(3) Amount - Type in the amount of the transaction.  You do not have to
    specify whether it is a positive or negative transaction.  The program
    will determine the sign of the transaction.


(4) Select a Card - The information window will be cleared and a list of the
    cards in the system will appear.  Use the arrow keys to put the cursor on
    the same line as the wanted card and press the Enter key.

Once a record has been added, it cannot be deleted.  To fix a record, you must
the edit selection.


TITLE
CREDIT CARD HELP
SUBTITLE
EDITING



START
To edit a record, move the records so that the record that you want to edit is
highlighted and press the Edit (F3) key.  Once you choose to Edit a record you
must answer all the questions, even if there are no changes!  The edit
function in the credit card system is just like the edit funciton in the
checkbook system.  It was designed to allow invalid answers for added
flexibility, however, I would highly suggest that you be extremely careful
when entering these numbers.

TITLE
CREDIT CARD HELP
SUBTITLE
SORTING



START
The credit card system will put all new records at the bottom of the record.
This will cause the output to become hard to read.  When you choose Sort (F5),
the records will be sorted by card number making it easier to read output.

When you choose this option, please be patient.  When the file gets rather
larger, it may take a few seconds for the file to be sorted properly.


END
TITLE
PRINT HELP
SUBTITLE
GENERAL


START
The print subsystem is one of the better uses of checkbook programs.  It is
neater and easy to read than most typical checkbook register (a hell of a lot
easier than mine that's for sure!)

To enter the print subsystem, press the Print (F4) key from almost any other
major menu.  Once in the print subsystem, you will have the ability to print
one of three different files.  These outputs are:  Checkbook, Credit Cards,
and Credit Transactions.
Pressing F2 will allow you to print out the current checkbook.
Pressing F3 will allow you to print out your credit cards.
Pressing F4 will allow you to print out your credit card transactions.

There are also selection categories underneath each one of these options,
which will be explained later.


TITLE
PRINT HELP
SUBTITLE
PRINTING CHECKBOOK



START
When you select checkbook you will be asked whether you want to make a normal
printout or print a range.  If you type 'N' your entire checkbook will be
printed out.

Selecting 'R' gives you a choice of printing out your checkbook by Date or by
Record Number.  If you select Date by typing 'D', you will be asked to enter
the start and stop dates that you want printed out.  If you enter a range that
is invalid, you will only get print headers.
It is also possible to enter dates that are invalid (e.g. February 30) and the
program will still printout dates within the selected range.

If print by record is selected, you will be asked to enter two record numbers.
The record numbers are the numbers listed in the left hand column when in the
checkbook system.

Only the records within the selected ranges will be printed.
On the last page of the output, a listing of the total number of withdrawals
and deposits will be listed along with the amount of each.  The average
deposits and withdrawals will be listed, along with the average balance.
Please note that this is the average balance NOT the average daily balance.




TITLE
PRINT HELP
SUBTITLE
CREDIT CARD PRINT



START
Printing out the credit card file is done exactly the same as the checkbook,
except that printing a date range has no effect.






TITLE
PRINT HELP
SUBTITLE
CREDIT CARD TRANSACTIONS



START
Printing out your credit transactions is done the same way as the checkbook
system with the addition of one option.

When you select credit transaction print from the menu you will be asked
whether or not you want to printout yearly finance charges.  If you answer
yes, you will be asked for which year you want the output.


The tallies will be printed out on the last page of the output along with
Federal tax return information.

NOTE:  Either use Normal print, or make sure that if you use range print that
you select the entire year that you wanted printed out, otherwise your values
maybe invalid.


END