***************************************************************** -> This file contains detailed instructions for installing, loading and using YOUR-PLAN. It can be used for reference purposes or resolving any problems encountered when using YOUR-PLAN. -> The file has been supplied as an integral part of YOUR-PLAN. This is a personal financial planning software package developed as a shareware package for use on a 'try-before-you-buy' basis by Invest-Tech Limited. For contact details, see end of this file. -> To view this file page-by-page, type "TYPE MANUAL.TXT|MORE" To print this file, type "PRINT MANUAL.TXT" (Press CTRL+BREAK to quit now) ***************************************************************** YOUR-PLAN (r2.1) ================ Personal Cashflow Planner ========================= Invest-Tech Limited 27 Ardmeen Park, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland Irish Tel: 01-283 4083 UK Tel: 01232-315454 (Call 9 to 9 weekdays and 10 to 6 weekends - GMT/BST) Fax: 278 2391 Fax codes: Irish:01- UK:00-353-1- Inter'l:+353-1- CompuServe: 100606,2665 Internet: 100606.2665@compuserve.com *************************************************************** CONTENTS OF THIS FILE ===================== 1. Introduction 2. Very Quick Start 3. Loading YOUR-PLAN 3.1 Loading from a Hard Disk or 3.5" Disk 3.2 Loading from Two 5.25" Disks 4. Basics of YOUR-PLAN 4.1 Loading a YOUR-PLAN Budget 4.2 Key Instructions 4.3 Saving Assumptions 4.4 Changing Display Settings 4.5 Changing Printer Settings 5. Exploring YOUR-PLAN 5.1 First Exercise - Reports & Assumptions 5.2 Second Exercise - Getting Help 5.3 Third Exercise - Using CTRL 6. Using YOUR-PLAN 6.1 Getting Started 6.2 Building the Budget 6.3 Printing Graphs 6.4 Advancing Projections 6.5 Using the Budget 7. Support & Assistance ***************************************************************** 1. INTRODUCTION =============== Invest-Tech's main activities relate to management consultancy and the development and sale of business and financial planning software. Details of our other products are contained in the Help Pages within YOUR-PLAN and in the text file, README.TXT, accompanying YOUR-PLAN. For a general introduction to YOUR-PLAN, its system requirements and related information, please refer to the README.TXT text file. YOUR-PLAN is a shareware product and supplied on a "try-before- you-buy" and unsupported basis. If you wish to continue using it after a 30-day trial period you must register as a user with Invest-Tech. In return for registering, you will be able to use YOUR-PLAN indefinitely and you will receive a copy of PERS-PLAN, a greatly enhanced version of YOUR-PLAN, with a complete manual. You also gain access to full support for both products. See README.TXT for further details. You can use the Registration Form in the text file REGISTER.TXT to register via Invest-Tech. If you are located in North America, you can register via "PsL" (Public software Library). You can also upgrade and register directly with Invest-Tech via our World Wide Web (WWW) site on the Internet using a credit card and its special built-in forms. See bottom of file for details of its location. Our Web site, called PlanWare, contains downloadable versions of *ALL* our financial planners for businesses and the home. It also offers useful advice in the form of text files on such topics as business planning, cashflow forecasting etc. as well as lots of other interesting stuff. The information and data contained in this file are subject to change without notice and do not represent a commitment by the vendor. The described software is supplied under a licence agreement and may be used only in accordance with the terms of the User Licence Agreement which is included in README.TXT. YOUR-PLAN can only be distributed or copied under the terms of the Distributor Agreement contained in the VENDOR.TXT file. This is the most comprehensive of all the text files accompanying YOUR-PLAN. The other text files are as follows: Read-1st.txt Key introductory info. to be read by all new users. Filelist.txt Contains a list and descriptions of all YOUR-PLAN's files. Readme.txt Basic text file. Should be read by new users. Enterass.txt Contains detailed guidance on entering assumptions. Will be useful to first-time users. Register.txt Contains registration details and Registration Form. Use to register. Vendor.txt Contains short/long descriptions of YOUR-PLAN etc. as well as a copy of Distributor Agreement and Form. For use by shareware libraries. Money.txt Dozens of quotes about money to amuse and/or inform users. Tax.txt Contains a selection of quotations about income tax along with summary tables of tax allowances and tax rates applicable in the UK and Ireland. The following batch files also contain explanatory text: yp.bat Used to load YOUR-PLAN in conjunction with an *.ASS file specified by the user. Go.bat Special introductory program to be run by new users as soon as they have installed/unzipped YOUR-PLAN. Start.bat May not be present. Used to facilitate installation and unzipping of YOURPLAN.EXE. ***************************************************************** 2. VERY QUICK START =================== The following guidelines assume that you have already installed (i.e. copied, unzipped, unarchived, uncompressed etc.) the complete set of YOUR-PLAN files onto a hard disk, a 3.5" disk or two 5.25" disks. If you wish to check that you have received all YOUR-PLAN's files, refer to README.TXT or FILELIST.TXT. Once you have completed the instructions immediately below, skip down to Section 4. If YOUR-PLAN has been installed onto a hard disk: ------------------------------------------------ a) Get into the sub-directory where you have installed all YOUR-PLAN's files (for example if the sub-directory YOUR was used, type "CD YOUR" and press RETURN at the DOS prompt). b) For general introductory information, type "GO". If your PC uses a very old type of display, do not select this option - choose c) or d) below. or c) For guidance about the syntax for loading YOUR-PLAN etc. type "YP". or d) Type "YP MASTER" to load YOUR-PLAN along with a set of specimen assumptions in a file called MASTER.ASS. Make a working copy of MASTER. From the Main Menu, press F (for File), N (for New) and enter a file name (WORKING is the recommended name). If you are running YOUR-PLAN from a 3.5" drive: ---------------------------------------------- a) Place the disk to which you have installed YOUR-PLAN in a drive. If necessary, switch to that drive by typing the drive designation followed by a colon, e.g. "A:", and press RETURN. b) For general introductory information, type "GO". If your PC uses a very old type of display, do not select this option - choose c) or d) below. or c) For guidance about the syntax for loading YOUR-PLAN etc. type "YP". or d) Type "YP MASTER" to load YOUR-PLAN along with a set of specimen assumptions in a file called MASTER.ASS. Make a working copy of MASTER. From the Main Menu, press F (for File), N (for New) and enter a file name (WORKING is the recommended name). If you are running YOUR-PLAN from dual 5.25" disk drives: -------------------------------------------------------- a) Place the two disks to which you have installed YOUR-PLAN (and labelled as A & B) into their respective drives. Switch to the drive with the disk labelled A, e.g. type "A:" if Disk A was inserted in drive A and press RETURN. If you are unsure about the correct distribution of YOUR-PLAN files on the A and B disks, refer to README.TXT. b) Type "YP B:MASTER" to load YOUR-PLAN along with a set of specimen assumptions in a file called MASTER.ASS which is assumed to be on Disk B in the B drive. c) Make a working copy of MASTER. From the Main Menu, press F (for File), N (for New) and enter a file name (WORKING is the recommended name). For further guidance about the syntax for loading YOUR-PLAN etc. type "YP". ***************************************************************** 3. LOADING YOUR-PLAN ==================== This Section repeats (in greater detail) the instructions for loading YOUR-PLAN which was already presented in the previous Section. Skip this Section if you have already loaded YOUR-PLAN without encountering any problems. Refer to Section 3.1 if you are loading from a Hard Disk or 3.5" Disk, and to Section 3.2 if you are using dual 5.25" disks. 3.1 Loading from a Hard Disk or 3.5" Disk ----------------------------------------- If using a hard disk, get into the sub-directory on the hard disk where YOUR-PLAN has been installed, i.e. type "CD YOUR" and press RETURN at the C:\> prompt if YOUR-PLAN was installed onto a sub-directory called YOUR on a hard disk called C. If using a 3.5" disk to run YOUR-PLAN, it may be wise to make a backup copy of the supplied files/disk before continuing any further. To run YOUR-PLAN from a hard disk or a 3.5" drive proceed as follows: a) If a Hercules mono display is being used, run a special set-up programme called MSHERC at the DOS prompt (e.g. C:\YOUR>) before loading YOUR-PLAN. b) Type "YP MASTER" (ensure that a single space is inserted between YP and MASTER) and wait whilst YOUR-PLAN loads itself together with a set of specimen budget assumptions contained in a file called MASTER.ASS. c) After a few moments the title screen for YOUR-PLAN will appear. Press any key a few times to move through the introductory screens. If the video display is unsatisfactory, press I (for Initialise) from YOUR-PLAN's Main Menu and then V (for Video) to select a different type of display. If using a LCD display, YOUR-PLAN's on-screen cursor may not be visible until the display has been reset to LCD/B&W within the Video sub-menu (press I, V & L from the Main Menu). If a Hercules display is being used, YOUR-PLAN's graphs will not display unless Step a), described above, was completed prior to loading YOUR-PLAN. You should now make a working copy of the specimen budget (called MASTER) which was supplied with YOUR-PLAN and which you have just now loaded. To do this proceed as follows (if necessary, get back to YOUR-PLAN's Main Menu by pressing the F10 function key which is located along the top or to the side of the computer's keyboard, or choose Goto as a sub-menu option): Press F (for File) from YOUR-PLAN's Main Menu and then press N (for New). Enter a unique file name (WORKING is recommended) when requested by screen prompts, and press RETURN to save this file on the same disk (and directory) as MASTER. Use WORKING as your primary working copy of the specimen budget for experimental purposes and normal use. Repeat the foregoing procedure to make a second copy of MASTER called BACKUP if desired. YOUR-PLAN will automatically add .ASS as the file extension to these names. When specifying a file name, the maximum permissible number of letters is eight and do not include the character "." (full point) as part of the file name. To quit YOUR-PLAN, press G (for Goto), if necessary, to get back to YOUR-PLAN's Main Menu, then press Q (for Quit) from the Main Menu and give "Y" responses to any subsequent questions. You should now skip to Section 4 below. 3.2 Loading from Two 5.25" Disks -------------------------------- It might be wise to make backup copies of all YOUR-PLAN's files before you continue any further. If you wish to check the distribution of YOUR-PLAN files on your previously labelled A and B disks, refer to README.TXT. Proceed as follows to load YOUR-PLAN: a) Insert Disk A in one drive and Disk B in the second drive. b) If using a Hercules mono display, run a special set-up programme called MSHERC, before loading YOUR-PLAN, by typing "MSHERC" at the DOS prompt for the drive containing Disk A (e.g. at A:/>). c) At the DOS prompt for the drive containing Disk A (e.g. at A:/>), type "YP B:MASTER" (ensure that a single space is inserted between YP and B:MASTER). This command has assumed that Disk B is in drive B (if not so, replace B: in the command by the appropriate drive designation). Wait whilst YOUR-PLAN loads itself from the disk in drive A together with a set of specimen budget assumptions contained in a file called MASTER.ASS which should be on Disk B in drive B. d) After a few moments the title screen for YOUR-PLAN will appear. Press any key a few times to move through the introductory screens. If the video display is unsatisfactory, press I (for Initialise) from YOUR-PLAN's Main Menu and then V (for Video) and select a different type of display. If using a LCD display, YOUR-PLAN's on-screen cursor may not be visible until the display has been reset to LCD/B&W within the Video sub-menu (press I, V & L from the Main Menu). If a Hercules display is being used, YOUR-PLAN's graphs will not display unless Step b), described above, was completed prior to loading YOUR-PLAN. You should now make a working copy of the specimen budget (called MASTER) which was supplied with YOUR-PLAN and which you have just now loaded. To do this proceed as follows (if necessary, get back to YOUR-PLAN's Main Menu by pressing the F10 function key which is located along the top or to the side of the computer's keyboard, or choose Goto as a sub-menu option): Press F (for File) from YOUR-PLAN's Main Menu and then press N (for New). Enter a unique file name (WORKING is recommended) when requested by screen prompts, and press RETURN to save this file on Disk B alongside MASTER. Use WORKING as your primary working copy of the specimen budget for experimental purposes and normal use. Repeat the foregoing procedure to make a second copy of MASTER called BACKUP if desired. YOUR-PLAN will automatically add .ASS as the file extension to these names. When specifying a file name, the maximum permissible number of letters is eight and do not include the character "." (full point) as part of the file name. To quit YOUR-PLAN, press G (for Goto), if necessary, to get back to YOUR-PLAN's Main Menu, then press Q (for Quit) from the Main Menu and give "Y" responses to any subsequent questions. Now that you have loaded YOUR-PLAN, you can learn the basics of its operation in the next Section. ***************************************************************** 4. BASICS OF YOUR-PLAN ====================== This Section explains the general syntax for loading YOUR-PLAN; key instructions for using YOUR-PLAN; and procedures for changing display and printer settings. 4.1 Loading a YOUR-PLAN Budget ------------------------------ This Subsection describes in detail the command line which must be used to load YOUR-PLAN along with a set of budget assumptions. To start loading YOUR-PLAN once it has been installed onto a hard disk, get into the appropriate sub-directory on the hard disk. For example, type " CD YOUR" and press RETURN at the DOS prompt (e.g. at C:\>). To start loading YOUR-PLAN when using 3.5" or 5.25" drives, insert the working copy of Disk A into a drive. Users with 5.25" drives should also insert the working copy of Disk B into the second drive. The syntax for loading YOUR-PLAN with a specimen budget is as follows: YP(SPACE)[X:]FILENAME The following is an explanation of this command line: "YP" is a simple batch file which loads YOUR-PLAN's two main files (Your.exe and Plan.ovr). "(SPACE)" signifies a single blank space. "[X:]" is optional and refers to the disk drive/path containing a file called FILENAME (see next par.). It needs to be used only when FILENAME is not on the same drive or sub-directory as YOUR-PLAN's other files, for example, when using dual 5.25" drives. If FILENAME resides on a different sub-directory to that containing YOUR-PLAN, the path should be entered immediately before FILENAME. For example, to load FILENAME located in drive D in a sub-directory called PRIVATE, use the following command line: YP(space)D:\PRIVATE\FILENAME "FILENAME" (maximum of 8 characters) is the name of the file containing all the assumptions relating to a specific budget. YOUR-PLAN automatically adds a file extension .ASS to FILENAME when you save FILENAME. It is unnecessary to type the extension .ASS when loading FILENAME. Typically, a *.ASS file requires only about 5k of file space. To load YOUR-PLAN along with a budget for the Smith household (previously saved as a file called SMITH.ASS in the same sub-directory as YOUR-PLAN), the command line would be as follows: YP SMITH TIP: If, in future sessions, a budget's file name cannot be remembered, simply type "YP(space)X" [or "YP(space)B:X" if dual 5.25" drives are being used] and wait until the "File does not exist" message appears. Press RETURN to by-pass this message; use the cursor to locate the required file from the list which will automatically appear at the top of the screen; and then press RETURN to load it. YOUR-PLAN always looks for its help system file (YOUR.HLP) on the same disk/subdirectory as is used to hold its assumption files (*.ASS). If the help file is not found, an error message "Help file not found" will be displayed. To restore the help facility, copy YOUR.HLP onto the disk/subdirectory containing the assumption files (*.ASS). This task must also be done if the disk being used to hold assumption files become full and another disk is going to be used. TIP: For on-screen guidance about the syntax for loading YOUR-PLAN etc. type "YP" (i.e. without any FILENAME). For general introductory information, type "GO". 4.2 Key Instructions --------------------- The following instructions are fundamental to using YOUR-PLAN. They explain how to use its menus, enter assumption values etc. Section 5 below contain exercises which explore these matters in greater detail. If the appearance of reports is unsatisfactory, or the cursor fails to appear when viewing reports or graphs do not display, refer to the tasks described in Section 4.4 below to change the video display. If you wish, you can now load YOUR-PLAN with the previously saved working copy of the specimen budget (you called it WORKING). Get into the appropriate drive/directory etc. (see the very start of Section 4.1 if you need guidance), then type "YP(space)WORKING" if using a hard disk or a 3.5" drive. Type "YP(space)B:WORKING" if dual 5.25" drives are being used. Use WORKING to explore and experiment with YOUR-PLAN by following the instructions given below. To move around YOUR-PLAN's menus, either (a) use the cursor keys to position the cursor over a specific menu item and press RETURN or (b) type the first capital letter (displayed in red on a colour display) of the menu item's name (without pressing RETURN). Pressing G (for Goto) or RETURN when the cursor is at the first item in any sub-menu always brings a user back to the Main Menu. From the Main Menu, experiment by pressing R (for Reports) and move the cursor down the sub-menu to a specific report; and then press RETURN to select it. When viewing a report, use the cursor keys to move the rectangular (red) or flashing cursor around it. The computer will beep when the boundary of a report has been reached. A mouse can be used with YOUR-PLAN to select menu items (press left-hand button to select an item) and to move around reports displayed on the screen. All YOUR-PLAN's formulae and most of the variable descriptions contained in its reports have been "secured" to prevent any possible accidental changes. You can only enter data or make changes to assumptions in cells, or blocks of cells, which are unsecured within the four Assumption Reports. These cells are identified by the ->> and <<->> arrows and their light-coloured or white backgrounds. Attempts to enter data in any other cells will be frustrated by a "Secured cell" error message (press RETURN to clear). To enter an assumption value, place the cursor at the desired position within an unsecured cell, enter the value and press RETURN. To get back to the Main Menu from within a report, press the F10 function key (on most computers, these function keys are located along the top or left side of the keyboard). Alternatively, use one of the other function keys (F2 to F4), as indicated by the function key strip at the bottom of the screen, to directly call up a sub-menu relating to the monthly reports or graphs. If a menu unexpectedly disappears at any stage, press F10 to bring up the Main Menu. Alternatively, press a function key (F2 to F4) to display a sub-menu and press RETURN or G (for Goto) one or more times to get back to YOUR-PLAN's Main Menu. If a system error should occur due to conflicting commands being issued to YOUR-PLAN, it may be necessary to press CTRL+BREAK (press and hold down the CTRL key, tap the BREAK key and then release both keys) to clear the error and then press F10 to retrieve the Main Menu. 4.3 Saving Assumptions ---------------------- There is no limit to the number of budgets, i.e. assumption files, you can create, save or load using YOUR-PLAN. To save a set of assumptions on disk as an *.ASS file, press F (for File) at the Main Menu to get into YOUR-PLAN's File sub-menu. This offers a range of options including Replace, Backup, New etc. for saving assumptions using either a new or an existing file name. When using the File options, take care never to attempt to replace or back-up a non-existent file, or to create a new file where a file with the same name already exists. The second line of YOUR-PLAN's screen display always shows the name of the currently loaded file and its disk/directory location (path). When using the File Replace option, YOUR-PLAN overwrites the existing file with a new version and does not create a back-up copy. File Backup renames the current file by changing its extension name from .ASS to .BAK before saving the updated copy onto disk. If necessary, the back-up file (*.BAK) can be changed back to an .ASS file using the DOS Rename command. When using the File New option to enter a new file name, its name (with a maximum of 8 characters) can be edited using the Backspace key. When using File Erase, be sure to only erase files with the .ASS file extension otherwise key program files could be lost. Press F10 after erasing a file in order to return to the Main Menu. Use File Default to change the default (normal) drive and/or directory (i.e. path) which YOUR-PLAN uses for holding its assumption files (*.ASS). If YOUR-PLAN is being used on a computer with a hard disk which can be accessed by other people, a user may wish, for personal security reasons, to always save assumption files on a removable disk rather than on the hard disk. The default drive should be changed to refer to this disk drive by pressing F (for File) and D (for Default) from the Main Menu and editing the indicated path using the Backspace key. To completely exit from YOUR-PLAN, press Q (for Quit) from its Main Menu and give "Y" responses to subsequent questions. Be sure that the assumptions have been saved! To switch from one set of assumptions to another, save the first set, exit YOUR-PLAN using the Quit command and then load the next set in the normal way by typing "YP(space)FILENAME" (or "YP(space)B:FILENAME"). To create a completely new budget, the basic procedure is as follows: * Load an existing file. * Remove all its assumptions. * Enter new assumptions etc. * Save the new assumptions with a new file name. This procedure is fully explained in Section 6.2 below. 4.4 Changing Display Settings ----------------------------- For most monitor displays, YOUR-PLAN will correctly detect the type of display being used. If the video display is unsatisfactory, press I (for Initialise) from YOUR-PLAN's Main Menu and then V (for Video) and select a different type of display. If using a LCD display, YOUR-PLAN's on-screen cursor may not be visible until the display has been reset to LCD/B&W within the Video sub-menu (press I, V & L from the Main Menu). If a Hercules display is being used, YOUR-PLAN's graphs will not display unless the supplied MSHERC program is run prior to loading YOUR-PLAN. Precise settings and appearances may vary from monitor to monitor. If the white and bright white letters or values (denoting Help Notes and "drill-down" values respectively) cannot be distinguished on a mono display, try changing the monitor's contrast settings. If it proves difficult to display YOUR-PLAN, or to see its cursor when viewing reports or Help Pages, try changing the video display (from the Main Menu press I, V etc.). 4.5 Changing Printer Settings ----------------------------- YOUR-PLAN runs satisfactorily with dot-matrix, laser and ink-jet printers. This Section explains how to set up YOUR-PLAN for these printer types. If using a dot-matrix printer, use the Initialise sub-menu to enter setup strings and page lengths for the printer so that it will automatically print YOUR-PLAN's reports using a condensed pitch and to the correct page length for the size of paper and type of printer being used. For details of the correct strings to use, consult the printer's manual or dealer. If the appropriate strings are not immediately available, ignore, for the time being, the instructions given below in the paragraph starting with ### and see what happens when the strings supplied with YOUR-PLAN for resetting the printer (\027\064) and for condensed print (\015) are used. The supplied page length is 66 lines per page and should prove satisfactory with most types of dot-matrix printer using either A4 sheets or 8.5" x 11" continuous paper. If a laser printer is being used, select a small pitch from the printer's control panel, e.g. 16.66 cpi, or use the procedure given in the paragraph marked ### below to enter the appropriate strings and page length. If a HP LaserJet printer or compatible is being used, try "\027(s16.66H" for the string and 64 for the length. ### From the Main Menu, press I (for Initialise) to get into the Initialise sub-menu, press S (for Strings) and press any key once to skip the explanatory note. Enter a set of strings in response to the prompt which will appear on the screen (or press RETURN to accept the offered strings). Next, enter a page length in response to the prompt which will appear on the screen (try 66 or 64) and then wait a few moments whilst these settings are being installed. If necessary, change the printer margins by choosing M (for Margins) from within the Initialise sub-menu. Select one margin to be changed, enter a new value and press RETURN. Repeat this procedure to change other margins. New users should ignore this step and try the margin settings supplied with YOUR-PLAN. If it proves necessary to change other printer defaults for the interface and paper handling, choose D (for Default) from within the Initialise sub-menu. As supplied, YOUR-PLAN uses the following defaults which can be altered by a user one at a time: * Interface set for a parallel printer (LPT1:) * Give line feed after RETURN * Do not wait for paper to be loaded at a new page Finally, go to the Main Menu and use F (for File) and R (for Replace) to save the new printer settings, as an updated copy of WORKING incorporating any new settings for the printer. Having set up the printer, test the printing of any report. From YOUR-PLAN's Main Menu, press P (for Print) etc. If successive reports tend to creep down/up the page during printing, reduce/increase the page length being used by YOUR-PLAN by the number of lines of creep. As YOUR-PLAN sends extended ASCII characters to the printer no other printer configuration should be necessary. However, if the printer fails to print the "œ" (pounds currency) sign, it may be necessary to switch the printer to using a different character set or symbol set (try an "IBM" set). Refer to your printer's manual for guidance. If, during printing, problems of alignment, line or page skipping, line wraparound etc. are encountered, refer to the guidance notes in the Help Pages dealing with Resolving printer problems [ display the Main Menu, press P (for Print) and F1 ]. Then, either use the I (for Initialise) sub-menu to change the printer set-up, or make changes directly to the printer using its own controls. A final initial task which a new user may wish to perform at this stage is to print YOUR-PLAN's seven reports containing the specimen assumptions and budget. Put the printer online, prepare it with paper and then press P (for Print) from the Main Menu and A (for All) to print all seven reports in succession on separate pages. To discontinue printing a report at any stage, press CTRL+BREAK, use the printer controls to clear its buffer and, if necessary, press F10 to retrieve the Main Menu. To conclude this Section, you may wish to resave WORKING by pressing F (for File), B (for Backup) etc. ***************************************************************** 5. EXPLORING YOUR-PLAN ====================== This Section introduces the main facilities provided by YOUR-PLAN by means of short exercises covering the following areas: * Viewing reports and entering assumptions * Using YOUR-PLAN's help system * Using the CTRL function keys to speed up data entry etc. The exercises can be completed using WORKING. So long as no changes made to it are saved, no harm can be done to WORKING by working through the guidance notes below and altering assumption values. If you wish, save your work under a different file name (for the Main Menu, press F, N etc.). If floppy disks are being used, always keep the working copies of the disk(s) in their disk drive(s) when using YOUR-PLAN. 5.1 First Exercise - Reports & Assumptions ------------------------------------------ This exercise explains how to view reports, enter assumptions, access help facilities and use the primary function key commands. To start, load a copy of the model which was set up in the previous Section, namely WORKING, by typing "YP(space)WORKING" at the YOUR sub-directory prompt (if using a hard disk or 3.5" disk). Type "YP(space)B:WORKING" if using dual 5.25" drives. YOUR-PLAN is divided into a series of reports containing assumptions and calculated results. Begin by exploring these reports with the aid of the menus. To access any report, get into YOUR-PLAN's Main Menu (press F10 if necessary), press R (for Reports) to view the range of reports and then select and access a particular report (by moving the cursor and pressing RETURN or by pressing the first capital letter). Once inside a report, use the down/up/right/left cursor keys to hop from cell to cell and to explore the contents of the report. Use the computer's PgDn or PgUp keys to move the cursor quickly down or up a report and the CTRL+LEFT or CTRL+RIGHT (or TAB) keys to step across a report. Use the HOME key to jump to the top left-hand corner of a report and END, HOME to jump directly to its bottom right-hand corner. The computer will beep when the boundary of a report has been reached. Alternatively, use a mouse to scroll around a report. Notice that when viewing a Report, a function-key menu strip always appears along the bottom of the screen. Any of these primary function keys (F1 to F5) can be used to directly access sub-menus or operations without having to revert to the Main Menu. When finished with a report, press the function key F10 to get straight back to the Main Menu or use one of the other primary function keys (F2 to F4) to directly display a sub-menu which will pop-up on top of the report. For the Income, Expenditure, Bank Account and Salary Deduction Assumption Reports, note that assumptions can be entered only in unsecured cells within rows of cells adjacent to the <<->> and ->> arrows and shown in reverse video on most displays. Variable descriptions in the left-hand column of some reports opposite the <<->> arrows and shown in reverse video can be changed by the user or left blank. Zero values are signified by the .. symbol and are automatically changed to blank spaces during the printing of reports. To enter an assumption value, place the cursor at the desired cell position within an unsecured area, enter the value and then press either RETURN or a cursor key to move directly to an adjacent cell. The following rules about entering assumptions must be observed: * YOUR-PLAN will not permit the entry of values other than in cells or areas (blocks of cells) which have been designated for inputted assumptions. Otherwise, a "Secured cell" error message will be displayed (clear by pressing RETURN). * All YOUR-PLAN's formulae and most variable descriptions have been 'secured' to prevent any possible accidental changes. Attempts to enter data in these secured cells will be frustrated by a "Secured cell" error message (press RETURN to clear). * When entering a value into a cell, always complete the entry process by pressing RETURN or a cursor key. Never start to enter a value and then, in midstream, try to invoke a menu or function key option. * To leave a cell empty, always enter a zero. NEVER enter a 'space' and NEVER use the letter "o" as in "oh!"). * YOUR-PLAN allows "in-cell" arithmetic in unsecured cells. For example, "2*3+7" could be entered into a cell and the result, 13, would be displayed as soon as the RETURN key is pressed. The usual calculator rules about precedence and bracketing apply. If you make a mistake while entering a value into a cell, use the Backspace key to remove it and then press RETURN. Note that YOUR-PLAN does not update projections until the C (for Calculate) option within the Main Menu or the F5 function key within a report has been selected. 5.2 Second Exercise - Getting Help ---------------------------------- YOUR-PLAN incorporates extensive on-line help facilities. Use the primary function key F1 at any stage to access a context-sensitive Help Page. For example, press the F1 function key when viewing any report to access help regarding its origin and contents. Alternatively, access the main Index to the Help Pages by pressing F1 & PgDn when YOUR-PLAN's Main Menu is being displayed. Once in the Help Page Index, use the down/up cursor keys to move the special Help Page cursor bar to a highlighted item and press RETURN. If a hard disk is not being used, there might be a slight delay whilst the help file on the disk (labelled B, if two 5.25" disks are being used) is being accessed. To exit from a Help Page, press the ESCAPE key or refer to the instructions at the bottom of the page. Brightened letters and values have a special significance as explained below. If these cannot be distinguished, try changing the monitor's contrast. Variable descriptions shown with brightened LETTERS in the left-hand column of reports contain Help Notes relating to the brightened description. A Help Note can be accessed by placing the cursor on top of a brightened description, pressing RETURN and then pressing the keyboard's PgDn key. Press the PgUp key to clear the Note, or simply let it scroll off the screen, or let it be tiled over by another Note. Rows with brightened VALUES contain "drill-down" cells which enable a user to view the assumptions on which the cells' values have been based. To drill-down, place the cursor anywhere inside a block of drill-down cells, press RETURN once to see the underlying assumptions and press RETURN a second time to get back to your starting point. The drill-down facility can also be used to jump to a row of assumptions for the purpose of inserting or changing a SINGLE assumption value immediately prior to pressing RETURN to get back to the start point. If an assumption has been altered, be sure to recalculate by pressing the F5 function key. Note: If a Help Note has been accessed immediately prior to drilling, you must press RETURN followed by PgDn to initiate drilling. 5.3 Third Exercise - Using CTRL ------------------------------- This exercise introduces a second set of function key commands which can be accessed by holding down the computer's CTRL key BEFORE pressing a function key. These can be used to speed up the entry of assumptions etc. With some slower computers there might be a very slight delay before these function key commands take effect. As soon as the CTRL key is pressed a different menu strip appears at the bottom of the screen. To use a CTRL function key, hold down the CTRL key while tapping one of the listed function keys. These work as explained below whenever a report is being displayed on the screen: CTRL+F1 ------- This accesses context-sensitive Help Pages relating to the CTRL function keys. CTRL+F2 ------- This enables a user to automatically mark the cursor's current position, move to a new location anywhere in YOUR-PLAN, perform a task or tasks (such as checking, entering or changing assumptions), and then jump back to the initial position. Try pressing CTRL+F2, move the cursor sharply downwards, change an assumption and then press ESCAPE to jump back to the start again. After CTRL+F2 has been invoked, the cursor can be moved freely around any of YOUR-PLAN's seven reports. Avail of this facility to become familiar with the sequence of reports and their locations relative to each other. CTRL+F3 ------- This creates a synchronised second window which splits the screen horizontally to enable a user compare data etc. from two separate reports anywhere in YOUR-PLAN. To try, locate the cursor in the middle of the screen, press CTRL+F3 to split the screen, move the cursor up or down to inspect another report (or to enter or change assumptions). Press ESCAPE to get back to the starting position within a single window. After this command has been invoked, the cursor can be moved freely around any of YOUR-PLAN's seven reports. If you inadvertently return to the Main Menu while the screen is split, get back into any report, press CTRL+F3, move the cursor and then press ESCAPE to clear the split. CTRL+F6 ------- CTRL+F6 (or F6 by itself) can be used to speed up the entry of constant values across a row reserved for assumptions in an Assumption Report. To use it, place the cursor on a cell in a row containing a ->> or <<->> arrow and in the column for the first month. Hold down the CTRL key, press the F6 key and release both keys (or, more simply, tap F6 by itself). Next, enter a constant value as directed, and press RETURN. This value will be automatically copied across the remaining months and the cursor will move down one row. On some slower computers, allow a few moments for this command to take effect. CTRL+F7 ------- This can be used to erase assumption values in a cell or group of cells within a rectangular assumption area. To try it, get into an Assumption Report and proceed as follows: a) Position the cursor at a corner of the unsecured area whose values are to be erased. b) Press CTRL+F7, move the cursor to the diagonally opposite corner of the unsecured area to be erased and press RETURN. Note that with a colour display and some B/W displays, the cursor can be used to paint the area to be erased. With some mono displays, the cursor may change from a solid dark block to a flashing dash during copying etc. Experiment to gain familiarity with these CTRL function keys before using real data. Bear in mind that YOUR-PLAN only permits copying or erasing values within unsecured areas shown in reverse video. Values must not be copied to areas which overlap into secured areas or extend beyond a report's limit. If such tasks are attempted, the command may fail; the computer will beep; or an error message will be displayed (clear by pressing CTRL+BREAK and/or F10). If a "Secured cell" message is encountered, press RETURN to clear it. ***************************************************************** 6. USING YOUR-PLAN ================== On the first occasion that YOUR-PLAN is used to produce a personal or household budget, curtail the number of initial monthly assumptions relating to income and expenditure. For example, start by only entering key assumptions relating to major items of income and expenditure. Review the results and then progressively add greater detail. 6.1 Getting Started ------------------- YOUR-PLAN contains many variables and features which may not be required by every user. These can be left empty or with zero values (displayed as .... on the screen). YOUR-PLAN runs satisfactorily with only the minimum number of assumptions relating to income, expenditure etc. Starting to construct a budget for the first time is likely to reveal some very significant gaps in the information which is required to plan effectively. It may be necessary to review old bills, cheque stubs etc. or to set up a simple accounting system to temporarily record details of expenditure. To get going, load a copy of WORKING and erase all its monthly assumptions by using the R (for Remove) command within the Initialise sub-menu. A printout of the Income, Deductions, Expenditure and Bank Account Assumption Reports with all the assumptions erased can be used to facilitate the compilation of assumption data away from the computer. To do this, put the printer on-line and then press P, I, D, E and K from the Main Menu. Assumptions can be entered only in rows containing ->> or <<->> arrow signs on a printout and shown in reverse video on the screen. Variable descriptions opposite <<->> arrows and shown in reverse video in the left-hand column of Assumption Reports can be altered by a user (or simply left empty if not needed). Zero values display as ... on the screen and change to blank spaces during printing. When entering assumptions, make liberal use of the facilities provided by the CTRL function keys especially (CTRL+F6 or F6 by itself); consult YOUR-PLAN's Help Pages; access the Help Notes appended to brightened variable descriptions; and use the "drill-down" cells associated with brightened values. 6.2 Building the Budget ----------------------- To use YOUR-PLAN to prepare a household budget, proceed as described in detail below. (After entering any batch of assumption values, you can recalculate to check progress using the F5 function key) ------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From the Main Menu, press I (for Initialise) and B (for Basic). Follow the on-screen instructions to enter the number of the first month to be covered by the budget (1 for January, 2 for February etc.); the year (as 19??) to be covered by the budget; the first name of the principal wage earner in the household; and the currency symbol and units to be shown in reports (œ, IRœ, $, 000's etc.). If the currency units being used are in 000's, enter ALL assumptions to the nearest thousand (YOUR-PLAN does not accommodate decimal values for income and expenditure assumptions). If œ, $ or similar denomination/value currencies are being used, do not use 000's (unless very wealthy!) as YOUR-PLAN can handle values up to 99,999. If a mistake is made when entering this basic data, correct it immediately using the computer's Backspace key, otherwise repeat the entire procedure. Once the basic data has been entered, the first name of the wage earner will be automatically entered throughout the model, and the appropriate months, years and currency symbols will be inserted into all the report headings. ------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From the Main Menu, press I (for Initialise) and T (for Title) to give the budget a specific title e.g. "First Attempt". This will be inserted at the top of the screen and on the cover page when all the monthly reports are printed as a set using the (P)rint (A)ll command. ------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From the Main Menu, press I (for Initialise) and R (for Remove) to remove all existing assumptions. ------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From the Main Menu, press F (for File) and N (for New) to save this 'empty' budget under a new name, for example, TRY-1. ------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From the Main Menu, press A (for Ass) and I (for Income) to get into the Income Assumptions Report. Concentrate initially on entering the most significant and/or approximate values with a view to refining them later. For detailed guidance on entering income assumptions, refer to a separate text file, ENTERASS.TXT. Refer also to the Help Pages (press F1) and to Help Notes. When entering gross salaries, note that a separate assumption report must be used to enter details of salary deductions for income tax etc. Until this report has been completed, in the next step, any values given for deductions in the Income Assumptions Report are likely to be meaningless. Use the facility for "in-cell" arithmetic and use the CTRL+F6 (or F6 by itself) function key to quickly enter constant values across the six months. ------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From the Main Menu, press A (for Ass) and D (for Deductions), or press F2 and then D, to get into the Salary Deductions Assumptions Report. Enter details of variable deductions which involve income tax allowances and banded rates in Table 1. Use Table 2 to enter details of other deductions. For detailed guidance on entering these assumptions, refer to a separate text file, ENTERASS.TXT, and to the Help Notes appended to several descriptions. Refer also to TAX.TXT for basic information on tax rates and allowances for the UK and Ireland. This file also contains some quotations about tax which might amuse you, or cheer you up if you pay too much tax !!! ------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From the Main Menu, press F (for File) and R (for Replace) to save this updated version of TRY-1 to disk. Alternatively, press B (for Backup). ------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From the Main Menu, press A (for Ass) and E (for Expenditure), to get into the Expenditure Assumptions Report. Concentrate initially on entering the most significant and/or approximate values with a view to refining them later. For detailed guidance on entering expenditure assumptions, refer to a separate text file, ENTERASS.TXT. Refer also to the Help Pages (press F1) and to Help Notes. Use the facility for "in-cell" arithmetic and use the CTRL+F6 (or F6 by itself) function key to enter constant values across the six months. ------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From the Main Menu, press A (for Ass) and B (for Bank), or press F2 and then B, to enter opening bank and credit card balances and details of credit limits, interest rates etc. If necessary, enter approximate values which can be refined later. For detailed guidance on entering these assumptions, refer to a separate text file, ENTERASS.TXT. Refer also to the Help Pages (press F1) and to Help Notes. ------------------------------------------------------------- 10) Calculate using the Main Menu or F5 function key. Watch for and respond to any advisory messages which may pop-up on the screen. You can review the main output reports - Budget and Analysis - by pressing R (for Reports) etc. or by using the F2 function key. Use the "drill-down" facility to review or change underlying assumptions (see Section 5.2 above for guidance). ------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From the Main Menu, press F (for File) and R (for Replace) to save this updated version of TRY-1 to disk. Alternatively, press B (for Backup). ------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From the Main Menu, view graphs (press G etc.), inspect reports (press R etc.) and print results (press P etc.). If necessary, review procedures for changing the printer strings, margins, page lengths etc. being used by YOUR-PLAN. ------------------------------------------------------------- 6.3 Printing Graphs ------------------- YOUR-PLAN offers a choice of two methods of printing graphs. The first method uses specially generated PIC files in conjunction with a supplied utility called PICprint. It is the more complicated and slower method but it produces higher quality output and offers the user a high degree of control over layouts, formats etc. The second method uses DOS's GRAPHICS program to dump screen graphs to the printer. These methods are described below in Sections 6.3.1 and 6.3.2 respectively. Depending on how YOUR-PLAN was archived by the shareware library supplying the package and the number and size of disks, you may not receive a copy of this graph printing utility (it comprises seven PICPRT.* files and is likely to have been distributed inside YOURPLAN.ZIP if the library uses 720k disks or in a separate archive file called YOURPLAP.ZIP on a second 360k disk). If you wish to get a copy of this utility, please contact the library to secure it for the price of a disk. Alternatively, write to Invest-Tech enclosing a cheque/draft for 3 pounds (sterling or Irish) or US$5 and advise the disk size required (3.5" or 5.25"). Note that you must have a hard disk or be running YOUR-PLAN from a 3.5" drive in order to use PICprint. Of course, you can still print YOUR-PLAN's graphs without PICprint by using the method described in Section 6.3.2 below. 6.3.1 Printing Graphs using PICprint ------------------------------------ Prior to printing graphs with PICprint, special graphic files, known as PIC files, must be created for each of the YOUR-PLAN's graphs by selecting P (for PICs) from within the T (for picprinT) sub-menu and following the on-screen instructions. This process takes a few minutes to complete for all six graphs and requires approximately 50k of free disk space. As any existing PIC files will be automatically overwritten, these should be copied to another directory before initiating the process if they must be preserved. (To temporarily exit from YOUR-PLAN to DOS for this purpose, press F & T from the Main Menu). The procedure for printing graphs entails temporarily leaving YOUR-PLAN in order to use PICprint. Depending on the system set-up, YOUR-PLAN may require about 300k of space on the hard disk for temporary storage of its program files (in a file called SLASHS.TMP). Be sure that sufficient space is free before starting to use PICprint. To load PICprint once the PIC files have been created, choose O (for Output) from within the T (for picprinT) sub-menu. Allow a few moments delay for YOUR-PLAN to temporarily save some of itself onto the hard disk in order to create sufficient space in memory for PICprint. If there is insufficient free space on the hard disk, PICprint will not load or the entire system might hang! To return to YOUR-PLAN at any stage, select Q (for Quit) from PICprint's Main Menu and wait while YOUR-PLAN reloads itself into memory. The text file PICPRT.TXT gives detailed instructions on using PICprint. Section 1 contains a general introduction. First-time users will need to configure PICprint to suit their printer etc. by referring to the instructions in Section 2 of this text file. In particular, make sure to: Set the correct Picture Directory by pressing C (for Configure) and F (for Files) from the main PICprint menu. The supplied default directory is C:\YOUR. If this is not the drive and directory to which you have installed YOUR-PLAN, change it immediately. Select the appropriate Graphics Device by pressing C (for Configure) and D (for Device). These and other changed settings should be saved as defaults by pressing C (for Configure) and S (for Save) before starting to use PICprint. To print a graph, follow the detailed instructions in Section 3 of the PICPRT.TXT file. Depending on the graph's complexity and the settings being used, it may take a few minutes to "Generate Pictures" and print a graph. As supplied, PICprint will print two graphs per page. If a single graph is printed over several pages, try setting Options Eject to No. Once configured, PICprint can be used independently of YOUR-PLAN to print previously created PIC files by typing PICPRT at the DOS prompt for the YOUR sub-directory. 6.3.2 Printing Graphs using DOS Graphics ---------------------------------------- The GRAPHICS program supplied with MS-DOS can be used by YOUR-PLAN to print a graph while it is being displayed on the screen directly to a printer. Try it before using YOUR-PLAN with real data (or immediately after having saved a model file), in case the system hangs etc. To use GRAPHICS, run it before loading YOUR-PLAN by entering GRAPHICS at the hard disk's root directory DOS prompt. Refer to the DOS manual for further guidance on the range of options provided by the GRAPHICS program to accommodate different printer types etc. especially if a laser printer is being used. If this method of printing graphs is used frequently, it would be worthwhile adding the GRAPHICS command line to the batch file (YP.BAT) used to load YOUR-PLAN . Enter it immediately above the line shown as "YOUR PLAN %1". Having loaded GRAPHICS before running YOUR-PLAN, proceed to display one of its graphs on the screen. Make sure the printer is online, press the SHIFT+PrintScreen keys and wait a short time while a very presentable copy of the graph on the screen is print (depending on the printer set-up, a page feed might be required to eject the printed page). To improve the appearance of the printed output, try changing the parameters used by GRAPHICS (refer to the DOS manual for details). Also, if using a colour monitor, change the display temporarily over to LCD/B&W (press I, V & L from the Main Menu) before printing. 6.4 Advancing Projections ------------------------- YOUR-PLAN incorporates a facility to advance or roll-forward assumptions and projections one month at a time. For example, if a budget had been originally prepared for the six months commencing March, the Advance facility could be used to replace March's assumptions & projections by April's and so on for the remaining months. The Advance facility makes YOUR-PLAN ideally suited for preparing regularly updated short-term cashflow forecasts and financial plans. Because most assumptions will not change dramatically from one month to the next, the task of updating assumptions can be very simple and quick. Before using the Advance facility, it might be wise to save a copy of the budget, currently in-memory, using a descriptive file name, for example, MAR94. To use the Advance facility, press D (for aDvance) and follow the on-screen instructions. Once assumptions have been advanced, the opening balances in the Bank Account Assumptions Report for the following items must be updated (Press B from within the Assumptions sub-menu): - Current account - Credit card account - Deposit/savings account - Work expenses due (for principal wage earner) As all the income and expenditure assumptions for the new sixth month will now be the same as for the old sixth month, they should be reviewed carefully, paying particular attention to once-off items which will be automatically duplicated in both the new fifth and sixth months. Some of the original income or expenditure assumptions for the earlier months, particularly for non-recurring major expenses, may also need to be revised in the light of recent experience. Your original assumptions relating to salary deductions are not altered by the Advance facility. 6.5 Using the Budget -------------------- Once an initial budget has been constructed, more detail and accurate assumptions can be entered. "What-if" analyses can be readily undertaken with YOUR-PLAN. For example, the consequences of deferring major expenditures could be examined or the benefits of a possible salary increase could be assessed. A soundly based budget will help anticipate financial problems and opportunities or identify issues which might need to be pursued. These could include such matters as: # Determining the overall financial health of the household over the coming 6 months. # Providing an early indication of possible financial problems or opportunities # Smoothing out expenditure peaks by cancelling or deferring major items or acquiring them by other means. # Critically examining anticipated expenditure with a view to reducing specific items or devising alternatives. # Planning future savings if surplus cash is projected to accumulate in the current account. # Maximising credit card purchases to avail of the free credit periods associated with most cards. # Using any funds on deposit, or other savings, to offset projected overdraft or credit card borrowings. # Switching borrowings from credit card accounts to an overdraft with much lower interest rates. # Negotiating loan facilities, justifying salary increases, assessing other possible sources of income, measuring the likely consequences of changes in taxation etc. Now that you have prepared a budget, discovered just how wealthy (or poor ?????) you are and made (or cancelled ????) plans for a holiday, you might like to have a look at the MONEY.TXT file in order to see what other people have said about money - making, using and losing it !!!!!!!!!!!!!! ***************************************************************** 7. SUPPORT & ASSISTANCE ======================= YOUR-PLAN has been supplied as shareware at minimal cost to enable users to try it out before registering and upgrading to PERS-PLAN, our personal planning package on which YOUR-PLAN was based. We regret that we can only provide support to YOUR-PLAN users who have registered with us and secured a copy of PERS-PLAN with its comprehensive manual. In addition to YOUR-PLAN and PERS-PLAN, Invest-Tech offers an extensive range of business and financial planning packages for use by businesses. As the same basic structures, menus etc. are used throughout the product range, conversion from one product to another would be very straightforward for a YOUR-PLAN user. General information about these other products is contained in Help Pages within YOUR-PLAN or in README.TXT. More comprehensive details can be obtained by contacting Invest-Tech. Invest-Tech would like to hear from distributors and dealers in the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, North America, Australia and Asia interested in reselling its financial planning products. Shareware distributors etc. throughout the world are invited to apply to Invest-Tech for authorisation to distribute YOUR-PLAN in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the accompanying VENDOR.TXT text file. ***************************************************************** YOUR-PLAN (c) Copyright Invest-Tech Limited 1992, 1993, 1994 All Rights Reserved Invest-Tech Limited 27 Ardmeen Park, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland Irish Tel: 01-283 4083 UK Tel: 01232-315454 (Call 9 to 9 weekdays and 10 to 6 weekends - GMT/BST) Fax: 278 2391 Fax codes: Irish:01- UK:00-353-1- Inter'l:+353-1- CompuServe: 100606,2665 Internet: brianf@iol.ie WWW Site URL: http://www.planware.ie/resource/planware ***************************************************************** To view this file page-by-page, type "TYPE MANUAL.TXT|MORE" *** End of MANUAL.TXT file ***