What does it mean to Prog Out your money? It simply means to forecast exactly how much money you’ll have on any specific date in the future.
It’s based on the word prognosticate…
Does this seem like an impossible task? Well, if you have an idea of money you’ll receive and the money you’ll have to spend in the future, you can easily Prog Out your money for whatever time frame works for you.
“Doesn’t my bank track this for me?”
Banks don’t track the future. How can they? Only you know your future! They can give you a general idea of what you’ve spent in the past, which is important. This can be used to help you figure out your future. But only you know when a bill will be paid off, or how long you’ll be earning a salary.
“Can’t I buy fancy software to do this for me?“
Most budgeting tools track what you’ve done in the past. They don’t track the future. Progging your money involves making a list of every bill you have to pay in the future – rent, utilities, phone, etc. – the specific amount and the specific due date. Then make a list of every time you expect to receive money in the future – the specific amount and the specific date. When you sort the list by date, you now have a list of exactly how much should be in your bank account on any specific date based on the information you just provided.
“But I don’t know!“
If you don’t know how much you’ll receive or how much you’ll spend, then guess! Yes! This is how budgets are determined. You estimate how much you need to make, estimate how much you think you’ll spend, and estimate the dates you think you’ll make and spend that money. And yes, you should even estimate how often you buy food and take cash out of the ATM.
“I’ll wait until I know I’m making more money.”
Big mistake. It’s important to Prog Out your money BEFOREHAND, that way you can plan effectively.
- If you have a lot of debt and know you don’t make enough money to pay it off, Prog Out your money now so you have a clear picture of what you can pay and by when. That will help you plan better for your future – exactly how much more money do you have to make? How long will it actually take to pay off the debt?
- If you’re unemployed, don’t wait until you get a job to Prog Out your money. Do it beforehand so you’ll know how long before bills are due or if your savings will last. This can also help you know which bills can wait, and exactly how much money you’ll need and by when.
- If you want to move out of your current living situation, and you’re not sure if you can afford a new place, Prog Out your money so you can determine what you can and cannot afford and by when.
“I make plenty of money – I shouldn’t need to do this.”
Everyone needs an effective tool for managing their day-to-day money life. Regardless of how much money you make, everyone can benefit from Progging Out their money. Does your spending get out of control? Do you forget to pay bills, or pay overdraft fees? Are you not saving as much as you’d like, or feel like your debt should be paid off faster? Progging Out your money can be a powerful tool to help you stay on top of your financial goals.
“This seems like an overwhelming task.”
And that’s when you call a Budget Counselor. I will sit with you and help you Prog Out your money. The process is faster than most people expect and the information can be so helpful. Go online and book an appointment today.
“I don’t have the time to think about my money this often.”
Once a Progging spreadsheet is created for your specific money situation, it requires just a few minutes of attention every week. I’ve been Progging Out my money for years. When money is tight, I typically look at my spreadsheet every day, so I know what’s going on. When I have more money, I look at it once a week. I usually spend 5-10 minutes on it each time. How often you look at it and update it is based on how often you spend money and how often you need to make changes to your money life.