TO: An interested Christian family From: Pen Pinscher
RE: Hypothetical example of "How I might help you" Originated: July 2008
This scenario is within context of my helping a supposed couple named Bill/Jenny, via the Internet, do their bookkeeping of personal finances as they utilize Jim Bramer's eEnvelope system. Initially Bill/Jenny were made aware of my covenant/vow with them and the Lord ( Click Here for an example, etc.) as I take on these assignments.
Let's also suppose that both of them are employed and they get paychecks, which, of course, is after the necessary tax withholdings, and their employers deposits them directly into their personal Checking Account. They have a fast Internet connection and they use the QBPro2003 (QBooks) software product that they obtained inexpensively as new via eBay. You will remember that I work from my home in Southern California and I serve Bill/Jenny " remotely" via the Internet. As I explain when you Click Here, I am almost completely deaf so we only communicate by Email or via use of the desktop product were we invite each other to our Desktop, etc. Bill/Jenny live in Florida, but their Bank - Evangelical Christian Credit Union - ECCU - is located in Southern California. Of course, they can use ATMs in Florida, or anywhere else.
Further, Bill/Jenny have an Online Banking relationship with ECCU (called ECCU-Web) that permits me to also use the Internet to access the equivalent of their Bank Statement at anytime. The ECCU-Web system further allows them to post their bank statement equivalent data directly to their QBooks software system. Bill/Jenny and I also have Online access to their Credit Card Account that allows us to know during the month what charges appear on their Credit Card Account.
With all of this in mind, here is how we function:
>> I help Bill/Jenny establish one tentative set of QBooks that we call QB99 which they primarily use to record/code activity that they originate. Of course, this includes recording deposits that often are distributed to the same Envelope each time so we use QBooks "memorize" features. Of course, they also can use the software to type out checks and they distribute both deposit and check info to their unique virtual Envelopes listed below --- to remind you; this list of virtual Envelopes is unique to Bill/Jenny.
Life Style - As needed Costs at Grocery Store
Bill's Money
Jenny's Money
Operating Costs of Auto
Clothing for entire family
Entertainment and Eating Out
House/Yard Maintenance
Medical and Dental Costs
Other unplanned Costs
Life Style - Mostly monthly repetitive
Church Tithe
Church Bldg Fund Pledge
House Payment
Vehicle Payment
Pay Off Old Debt Auto Insurance
Home Insurance
Phone/Internet/Utilities
Life Insurance
SetASide - for future use
Discretionary
Christmas
Vacation
>> I set up a permanent set of QBooks that we call QB01 that I initially use to be sure that the amounts agree to the data at the Bank (ECCU) and Credit Card Company -- or I do the weekly reconciling, etc. This includes using the Internet to move to QB01 the date and dollar amounts of deposit/checks from the Bank (ECCU) and the date/dollar/payee info from charges to the Credit Card Company.
>> Since I do not always know which Envelopes to charge these checks or Credit Card Charges to, I weekly access their desktop and connect up with Bill/Jenny as we do such things as the following: 1> Copy their QB99 tentative file from their computer to my desktop; 2> From the info within their QB99 file I have info so I can distribute the deposit and checks info to the applicable Envelope within QB01; 3> Have them answer any questions I have related to this process. By the way ---- Bill/Jenny have earlier provided me with a list of their usual Credit Card vendors and which Envelope to charge. Reminder: Bill/Jenny make the final decision as to which Envelope is involved, etc. They also tell me the amount to transfer from one Envelope to another.
>> From QB01 , I produce the weekly Financial Report (Click here for Sample) so Bill/Jenny know what they can spend from the balances in their virtual Envelopes during the following week.
>> Ultimately I replace the tentative QB99 file in their possession with a new QB99 file that is a duplicate of my permanent QB01 file where I have reconciled to the Bank and Credit Card company data. Bill/Jenny use the new QB99 file for posting next week's activity
>> Reminder: The QB99 file thrust is to provide payee/Envelope assignment info --- The QB01 file finalizes the dollars and links to the external amounts provided by the Bank and Credit Card company.
>> We weekly go through the above cycle.
If this is of any interest to you, please go to 5109 and see how I have done something similar in a Small Church setting.
I can only be contacted Online at Pen@rpfin.org. -- Click Here and find out why.
See Jim Bramer's www.bcidot.org Web Site Information below. FILE: 3100-01
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