Why it exists
It started as a spreadsheet.
For nearly six years, it was opened almost every single day. Not to see where the money went, but how low it would get before the next paycheck.
I2fx=$F$2+SUM($C2:$C11)
A
B
C
E
F
H
I
J
1
Date
Expense
Value
Acct
Current
Thru 10/31
Thru 11/14
Thru 11/28
2
10/28
Phone
$(85)
Checking
$2,600
3
10/28
Car repair?
$(1,100)
Savings
$1,200
$1,200
$1,200
$1,200
4
10/30
Streaming
$(18)
5
11/1
Paycheck
$1,940
Total
$3,800
$2,597
$2,303
$3,525
6
11/1
Groceries
$(150)
7
11/3
Rent
$(1,650)
8
11/4
Medical plan
$(120)
Payments
Total
Monthly
Finish
9
11/6
Electric
$(171)
Dentist
$1,140
$95
2027
10
11/9
Dentist plan
$(95)
Crib
$280
$35
2027
11
11/12
Pet food
$(48)
Medical
$3,600
$120
2029
12
11/15
Paycheck
$2,115
13
11/15
Groceries
$(150)
14
11/17
Car insurance
$(142)
15
11/20
Internet
$(60)
16
11/22
Car payment
$(389)
17
11/24
Crib (5/12)
$(35)
I2fx=$F$2+SUM($C2:$C11)
E
F
H
I
1
Acct
Current
Thru 10/31
Thru 11/14
2
Checking
$2,600
3
Savings
$1,200
$1,200
$1,200
4
5
Total
$3,800
$2,597
$2,303
6
7
Payments
Total
Monthly
Finish
8
Dentist
$1,140
$95
2027
9
Crib
$280
$35
2027
10
Medical
$3,600
$120
2029
A
B
C
1
Date
Expense
Value
2
10/28
Phone
$(85)
3
10/28
Car repair?
$(1,100)
4
10/30
Streaming
$(18)
5
11/1
Paycheck
$1,940
6
11/1
Groceries
$(150)
7
11/3
Rent
$(1,650)
8
11/4
Medical plan
$(120)
9
11/6
Electric
$(171)
10
11/9
Dentist plan
$(95)
11
11/12
Pet food
$(48)
12
11/15
Paycheck
$2,115
13
11/15
Groceries
$(150)
14
11/17
Car insurance
$(142)
The listEverything coming in and going out, by date.
- ?
The question markAnything not yet decided, typed in to see what it would do.
The boxes off to the sideThe lowest the balance would get before the next paycheck, and the one after that.
The math worked. Keeping it current was the work.
A dot for each day of nearly six years. - Type every bill in again, every month.
- Delete each one as it cleared.
- Stretch every formula to the right row.
- One wrong row, and every box was wrong.
And one spreadsheet only helps the person willing to keep it. Most people who need the answer will never open one.
This is what the boxes off to the side became.
The same answer the spreadsheet gave, without the spreadsheet.
Lowest day:
$1,103
Thu, Nov 12
Try a change
1 change on
Money out Money in Timing Your lowest day, $1,103, lands $897 below your comfort line.
- Car repair on Oct 28: $1,100 to keep getting to work.
Your lowest day, $1,653, lands $347 below your comfort line.
- A weekend trip on Oct 28: $550 for two nights away.
Your lowest day, $1,103, lands $897 below your comfort line.
- Car repair on Oct 28: $1,100 to keep getting to work.
Your lowest day, $1,453, lands $547 below your comfort line.
- Emergency vet on Oct 28: $750 for a visit that will not wait.
Your lowest day, $2,497, stays $497 above your comfort line.
- A bonus on Nov 1: $800 more.
Your lowest day, $1,553, lands $447 below your comfort line.
- A short paycheck on Nov 1: $650 less.
Your lowest day, $847, lands $1,153 below your comfort line.
- Rent due early from Oct 30: Rent moves four days earlier, ahead of payday.
Your lowest day, $577, lands $1,423 below your comfort line.
- Pay posts late from Nov 1: Every paycheck lands five days further out.
Lowest day:
$1,103
Thu, Nov 12
Try a change
1 change on
Money out Money in Timing Your lowest day, $1,103, lands $897 below your comfort line.
- Car repair on Oct 28: $1,100 to keep getting to work.
Your lowest day, $1,653, lands $347 below your comfort line.
- A weekend trip on Oct 28: $550 for two nights away.
Your lowest day, $1,103, lands $897 below your comfort line.
- Car repair on Oct 28: $1,100 to keep getting to work.
Your lowest day, $1,453, lands $547 below your comfort line.
- Emergency vet on Oct 28: $750 for a visit that will not wait.
Your lowest day, $2,497, stays $497 above your comfort line.
- A bonus on Nov 1: $800 more.
Your lowest day, $1,553, lands $447 below your comfort line.
- A short paycheck on Nov 1: $650 less.
Your lowest day, $847, lands $1,153 below your comfort line.
- Rent due early from Oct 30: Rent moves four days earlier, ahead of payday.
Your lowest day, $577, lands $1,423 below your comfort line.
- Pay posts late from Nov 1: Every paycheck lands five days further out.
Every rhythm of getting paid
Typed once. Bills and paychecks repeat on their own, and paydays move off weekends and holidays.
A comfort line you name yourself
The balance where things start to feel tight. It says so when a day drops below it.
A purchase you can try before you make it
One tap, and the months ahead answer.
Explore a sample forecast
If you've ever wondered how low it gets before payday, this was built for you.
No account, no card, no bank login required.