Read your running balance

The running balance is the projected amount left after each day's calendar items are applied.

What changes the balance

• Income increases the balance on its calendar date.
• Expenses decrease the balance on their calendar date.
• Recurring items appear on future dates based on their schedule.
• Cleared status helps you track what has already happened.

What to watch

Look for the lowest future balance before your next paycheck. That low point tells you whether today's spending plan is safe.

If the balance goes negative

CalBudget shows warning banners when the month or specific days go negative. Use those warnings to move a planned purchase, shift a due date, or add income before the low point.

How CalBudget reads each day

Each calendar day starts with the previous day's projected balance. CalBudget then applies the items on that date and shows the resulting balance. This gives every day a simple meaning: if all listed items happen as planned, this is the balance you should have after that day.

Use the low point first

The most useful number is often not today's balance. It is the lowest future balance before the next income date. That low point shows whether your plan has enough room for bills and normal spending.

1. Find the next paycheck or income date.
2. Scan the days before it.
3. Look for the lowest projected balance.
4. Open that day and review the transactions causing the drop.
5. Move, reduce, or remove planned spending until the low point is acceptable.

Why balances may not match your bank

CalBudget is a planning tool, not a live bank feed. A real bank balance can include pending card holds, delayed deposits, or transactions you have not entered yet. If the difference matters, update your account balance or add the missing calendar item.

When to adjust the plan

Adjust the plan when a future date goes below your comfort level, when a bill changes amount, when a paycheck date changes, or when an unplanned purchase affects the next few days. Small updates keep the forecast useful.

Quick balance audit

• Check the starting account balance.
• Confirm the next paycheck date and amount.
• Look for large expenses before the next paycheck.
• Open any negative day and review every item on that date.
• Update transactions that have already cleared for a different amount.

Planning rule of thumb

Use the future low point as the decision number. If the low point is too close to zero, treat extra spending as already unavailable. If the low point stays comfortable, the plan has room.