Graphic Accounts offers a fresh intuitive approach to personal financial planning. On the first tab of its compact three-tab interface you can find all the tools you need to model your income. Large, easy-to-use spin controls let you set the parameters which affect present and future income - these include your estimates for interest, tax and inflation rates. In the dual chart display you can see instantly the effect of different assumptions. And the powerful Optimize tool shows you the ideal expenditure level for this income scenario. On the second tab are tools to create your base budget - set it to match known current expenses. This is then built up into an intuitive hierarchical tree display. The expenditure estimate for any category can relate to whatever time period is convenient such as annual, monthly, weekly or any specified number of days. When the base budget is complete switch to the third tab. This contains the integrated rescaling tool which allows you to increase or decrease the budget total whilst maintaining the relative sizes of the categories. (The only categories which don't rescale are those marked as Essential Expenses in the original base budget.) The key to preparing a realistic budget is to reconcile planned expenditure with available income. The Synchronize tool achieves this at the click of a button, and then allows you to see the effect on individual categories. All adjustments to income parameters are now simultaneously reflected by changes in the chart and budget displays. Finally, when you are satisfied with the overall balance of your budget, use the enhanced print preview options to format the output. For example, you can choose the number of category levels, and which time periods to include. For people who haven't got the time, or inclination, to use a traditional accounting program, Graphic Accounts now provides an alternative - a fast and fun way to prepare an effective budget.

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