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Home budget analysis

Managing your monthly budget can be difficult and frustrating. One of the most important aspects of controlling your budget is to determine where your money is going. This calculator helps you do just that. By entering your income and monthly expenditures, you can see how much you have left to save and where your money is being spent. In addition, you can click "View Report" to see your entry results in detail, which can help identify areas for improvement.

Information and interactive calculators are made available to you as self-help tools for your independent use and are not intended to provide investment advice. We cannot and do not guarantee their applicability or accuracy in regards to your individual circumstances. All examples are hypothetical and are for illustrative purposes. We encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding all personal finance issues.

Calculators are provided by an independent third party and are being made available to you as self-help tools for your independent use and are not intended to provide investment advice or be representative of actual results. We do not guarantee their applicability or accuracy in regards to your individual circumstances. The determinations made by these calculators should not be construed as guarantees or projections. Moreover, the reasonableness of certain information may change over time because of changes in tax law, investment trends and your personal circumstances. The information contained here is based on current law and has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but we do not guarantee its accuracy. It is important that you periodically review and update your plans. Raymond James does not provide tax or legal advice. You should contact your tax or legal advisor concerning your particular situation.

“Who do I turn to for financial guidance?”

This is the question to which this hardworking couple in their mid-60s – and on the verge of retirement – sought an answer. Jim and Amanda had each saved diligently over the years in their company 401(k)s and, together, had amassed a large retirement nest egg. Now that they were considering retirement they realized there were many important questions to which they didn’t have answers. They also wanted professional help in creating a clear road map for their financial lives – both now and into their retirement years. And with so many choices for financial advice – from stockbrokers to CPAs – they didn’t know where to turn or to whom. Fortunately, the couple learned about Lynn and our firm and became interested particularly in Lynn’s designation as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional.

Soon, Jim and Amanda made an appointment and came in to talk with Lynn. They immediately discovered that she really listened to them and they learned about her knowledge of complex employee retirement savings plans, including the special circumstances surrounding things like employer stock, making the choice of taking a pension in either monthly payments or a lump-sum, and the tax issues of retirement savings.

With Lynn’s help, Jim and Amanda mapped out a plan for retirement that is part of a complete financial plan that can be adjusted as things change in Jim and Amanda’s life. But as for today, accounts are in order. Dates have been set. And most important, the couple now has a more confident outlook for the future.

What’s your question?

This case study is for illustrative purposes only. Individual cases will vary. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Prior to making any investment decision, you should consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation.