PERSONAL FINANCE FORECAST Version 1.3 For Windows 98/ME/NT/XP/Vista/7/8 ( by Vinny Graphics ) INTRODUCTION The Personal Finance Forecast software allows financial analysis in the privacy of your own home. The package is driven by a financial math model that forecasts annual cash flow and net worth. It can be used for all age groups and should appeal to both professional and non-professional planners. Data entry is made easy by instructions on each page. Information can be entered in any order and intermediate results can be obtained at any time. The major financial assumptions can be modified if desired. The program can help the user answer questions such as: 1-When should I retire? 2-Should I buy a home? 3-How often should I replace my cars? 4-Can I afford to pay for college? 5-Where am I spending my money? 6-What changes should I make to retire early? 7-Can I afford to give a major gift to my children? 8-Will I run out of money? When? The user will be asked to enter a snap shot of their current financial situation and their future plans. The program uses this data to forecast expenses, income and net worth as a function of user age. Estimates include the effects of inflation, home purchases, salary growth, pensions, social security, investment growth, automobile purchases, educational expenses, income taxes and tax deferred distributions just to mention a few. RECOMMENDED USE This program is recommend for any planner who wants to estimate long term personal annual cash flow and net worth. ZIP PACKAGE CONTENTS The zip package [vplan.zip] contains eleven files: 1-Readme.txt (This file) 2-install.exe (The install file) 3-vplan.hlp (Program WIN32 help file) 4-Help_HTM.htm (Program HTML help file) PROGRAM INSTALLATION Make sure that before you install Personal Finance Forcast all files have been extracted from the zip package [vplan.zip]. If you click on [install.exe] from within the zip package an installation ERROR may be generated. After the extraction is complete click on the [install.exe] file. It will install all program files in a directory of your choosing. The install file will also create a Windows start menu item, optionally install a desktop icon and register the [.plan] extension with the main program file [vplan.exe]. If you use the installation program you can use the [uninstall.exe] file to clear the installation. FIRST USE When the program is first used it automatically opens the the sample file [Double.plan]. Section 25 in the program [Window|Help] file offers an expaination of [Double.plan] and of the five other sample plans. If you want to view the samples and use the the help file make sure they are in the same directory as the main program file [vplan.exe]. HELP The program has instructions on each data entry page and in addition has a context sensitive help system. You can strike the [F1] key at any time to activate the context sensitive help or click on the [Window|Help] menu item. If you need more help contact the author via email. His email address is given below. The context sensitive help may not work when used with Windows Vista. An HTML file [Help_HTM.htm] is provided which can be accessed from the [Start Menu][Vinny Plan] or from inside the the program using the main menu [Window][Help HTM]. REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS Personal Finance Forcast program offers a 5 day free trial period. Before it ends, email Vinny Graphics at address below and request an activation code. You will also have to go to the Personal Finance Forcast product page and click on the "Buy Now" icon. You can reach the product page by using the URL below or the Vinny Home Page button. This will allow you to purchase a Personal Finance Forcast license for ($5) using PayPal or any major credit card. As soon at the payment is received a Personal Finance Forcast activation code will be emailed to you. ABOUT THE AUTHOR The author is a retired engineer. He lives in Bolton, CT. If you have any questions or comments, contact him at one of the addresses listed below. MAIL ADDRESS Vincent J. Sansevero, Jr. 9 Deming Road Bolton, Ct 06043 EMAIL ADDRESS vinny@vsansevero.com HOMEPAGE URL http://www.vsansevero.com/