Horse Economics. Catherine E O'Brien

each month, record the actual amounts spent. Comparing your budgeted figures to the actual numbers helps you gauge how realistic and attainable your budget is. There is room for improvement in any category where expenditures exceed budgeted amounts. (See fig. 2.3 for an example of a monthly budget worksheet.)

       Managing Cash Flow

Unfortunately, coming up with a workable budget does not help you manage your cash flow. For this, it’s practical to draw up a cash requirement worksheet (figs. 2.4 A—C). With this worksheet, you can create a separate, special bill-paying account (either checking or savings) to put aside cash for items that become due quarterly, semi-annually, or annually and ensure you have enough money to cover those larger bills. Think of your special bill-paying account as an escrow^♦ account for your future obligations.

      The cash requirement worksheet is a simple tool that can be designed with spreadsheet software, or simply drawn on paper. The amount saved monthly toward payment of a bill is entered and then crossed out when the bill is paid. The amount in your special bill-paying account should equal the total sum of the columns on this worksheet.

      The cash requirement worksheet is just one element in your overall cash-management system. A simple operating cash flow statement helps you see the “big picture” where your money is concerned. See fig. 2.5 for a cash flow statement showing the months of January, February, and March for this household. (Blank monthly budget and cash flow requirement worksheets are available in the Appendix for you to use.) The special bill-paying account outlined in figs. 2.4 A—C is listed as a “cash account” on the statement of cash flow.

       SO YOU KNOW…

♦ An escrow account is used to set aside money to pay certain predetermined bills, which in our example household’s case are new tires, automobile insurance, taxes not withheld, vacation, veterinary bills, medications, and hay for horses (see figs. 2.4 A—C).

       Explanation of items on worksheet:

       New tires costing $850 will be purchased at the end of 2005. Saving $71 per month will reach that goal. ($850 ÷ 12 = $70.83)

       Automobile insurance premiums totaling $1,800 annually are paid in $450 quarterly installments. $150 set aside per month is required. ($1,800 ÷ 12 = $150)

       Taxes of approximately $600 are due April 15th. ($600 ÷ 12 = $50)

       Vacation next January will cost approximately $1,950. A monthly savings of $165 should cover it. ($1,950 ÷ 12 = $162.50)

       Veterinary costs for this household’s two horses average $1,200 per year. ($1200 ÷ 12 = $100)

       Animal medications cost approximately $1,080 per year. ($1,080 ÷ 12 = $90)

Debt Management

      According to the Federal Reserve (the Fed), the total amount of debt owed by consumers in the United States (credit card debt, car and personal loans—but not mortgages) has doubled in the last ten years, and toward the end of 2003 reached $2 trillion. At the same time, the nation’s savings rate has gone down considerably.

       Explanation of items on worksheet:

      Paid during the month of March: a $450 quarterly automobile insurance payment; the veterinarian ($100 for shots); and $180 worth of pet medications. The total of this household’s special bill-paying account at the end of March should be $1,998.

       The Effect of Interest Rates

During 2003, the Federal Reserve reduced the benchmark federal funds rate^♦ to the lowest level in over 45 years. As of December 2003, the funds rate was 1 percent, which many hoped to mean the continuance of lower interest rates on many types of loans for consumers and businesses. However, during 2004, the Fed started to tweak rates upward. Why? Because of a change in the demand for money. And, it seems forecasters and analysts are divided as to whether the economy may face a significant increase in inflation in 2006 and beyond. Further, there is a large federal budget deficit that appears as though it will continue to increase in the years to come. A budget deficit is a sign of instability in both individual business and government. It is viewed as a credit risk, and riskier borrowers are charged higher interest rates by lenders and investors. The federal deficit, therefore, sets the stage for future increases in interest rates.

       SO YOU KNOW…

♦ The federal funds rate is the interest rate banks charge other banks for overnight loans.

       Explanation of items on worksheet:

      In April, this household paid $600 in taxes. The total in the account at the end of the month should be $2,099.

      

       PRIME RATE FLUCTUATIONS

The economy is cyclical in nature. For example, during the Great Depression years (1933—1935), the prime rate^♦ was approximately 1.5 percent. Below are some random time frames that show the fluctuation in the prime rate, according to the Federal Reserve:

1933-1935	1.5%
August 1956	4%
June 1969	8.5%
July 1974	12%
December 1976	6.25%
April 1980	20%
July 1981	20.5%
February 1989	11.5%
November 2001	5%
February 2005	5.5%

      These months represent highs and lows over the years. Between them, there were fluctuations. Rates steadily declined from 2001 until 2004, when it averaged 4 percent.

      As interest rates again rise, households that have considerable consumer debt may very well be stressed. Their debt burden will increase and continue to grow as loans with variable interest (credit card loans, for example) cost more.

       SO YOU KNOW…