How it Works

Click each subject below, to learn more. First - decide on a checking account option

Two Checking Accounts (Recommended)

We highly recommend the two-checking option because it takes the amount needed for the entered expenses “out-of-sight, out-of-mind”. Stashing away funds keeps it safe for when your expenses are actually due.

Account A - The Any & All Account
- Any and all monies and incomes are deposited into Account A.
- Use this account to pay all other Incidental Expenses, aside from the expenses entered in your UsableCash account.
  (See: Expense Definitions)
- The majority of your left over cash will be in Account A, for these Incidental Expenses.
Account B - The Bills & Building Account
- Each payday, transfer the entered income from Account A into Account B.
- Use this account to pay all the entered expenses.
- Do not rely on the actual bank balance of Account B, as it will appear inflated, since it is continually increasing as it builds funds to be available when your expenses are due and/or the need arises to use your Reserve Funds.
- Only rely on the Usable Cash amount on your My Budget page, to avoid overspending between paychecks.
Initial Funding - To start off, deposit the amount needed to cover the immediate upcoming expenses into Account B. You’ll see exactly how much is needed by going to the My Budget page, after entering all expenses and incomes.
If negative balances appear, see: Satisfying Negative Balances, click below

One Checking Account Option

With the one-checking account option, all income (deposits) and expenses pay through one account.

Enter the least projected income, but equal to or greater than, the Average Minimum amount, as your entered income.
Ending up with more income than projected, simply results in more Usable Cash.
Only rely on the Usable Cash to pay for Incidental Expenses.
Be sure to leave a cushion of Usable Cash, before withdrawing cash from your bank account, and/or in case any expenses have varying due amounts.
See: Expense Definitions, click below

Income - Definition

Since UsableCash.com calculates the Average Minimum income, needed per pay period, to cover all the entered expenses (over a 5-year rolling period) the definition of ‘Income’ is not your actual income amount. In Step #2 of the income details, all we ask is for your main income source and how often you are paid, or plan to deposit, or transfer, into your “Bill Account”. That's it!

Then, in Step #3 you enter an income amount that is somewhere between the Average Minimum amount and the least expected total income.

It is important to not over-project your income. If you make or deposit more than projected, this simply results in more Usable Cash. The Average Minimum amount is the least amount needed to cover the entered expenses and Reserve Funds. This will be your lightbulb moment, and can help you decide whether or not you can afford all the expenses you entered. Then it’s up to you if any changes, adjustments, deletions, etc. need to be made.

If self-employed, or paid intermittently, enter the ‘Income - Starting on Date’, as the date you plan on depositing or transferring the entered income amount into your Bill Account.

UsableCash.com is just the tool you need to help project how much is needed per deposit, or transfer, every payday; self-employed, or not.

Temporary Loss of Income

If your actual income is ever going to be less than what you entered, for example, an unpaid vacation, enter that loss of income as an expense. If the Usable Cash maintains a positive balance, then you’re good to go. But if the results are negative, see: Satisfying Negative Balances, click below. That is, if you haven’t already input the loss of income as part of your Reserve Funds or Vacation, in Fun & Family on the My Info page.
Think of it this way: Loss of income = Expense.

UsableCash.com

Discover your AVAILABLE spending cash limit: TODAY & over 5-rolling years!

How it Works

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