High Voltage Shareware/high1.zip/high1/DIR15/BF327.ZIP/BIGFIN.DOC

Text File | 1994-01-04 | 37KB | 689 lines

                  BigFin Financial Program Documentation

                                  v 3.xx

                                    by

                               Gary D. Moore
                              5161 Howard Road
                        Smiths Creek,  MI 48074-2023

                            Copyright (c) 1985-94

             License is granted upon registration of BigFin program










                                  Disclaimer

  Gary D. Moore will not be liable for any damages, including any decrease
  in profits, losses or other incidental or consequential damages arising
  from the use of, or inability to use BigFin, or related software products,
  even if Gary D. Moore has been advised of the possibility of such damages,
  or for any claim by any other party.  BigFin and related programs are
  distributed with the understanding that if it is used and found to be of
  value, the user will register for a contribution of $20 with the response
  form.  Registration is  appreciated and encouraged.  (The "monies" go to
  a College Memorial Scholarship Fund.  Thanks for helping!)  Upon receipt
  of registration, a diskette with the most recent version of BigFin, and
  related programs will be mailed to the user.  Registered users will be
  notified of major revisions and updates.  A modest fee will be charged for
  the updates.  For a large number of BigFin copies (and related programs)
  contact Gary D. Moore at the address on the response form about site
  licensing and/or quantity purchases.  BigFin can be used like a book...
  one person using it at a time.  One registration is not a site license.



                              BigFin Un-History

 The history of BigFin (short for Big Financial Program) may not matter to
 some users, so an un-history is provided below:

 The "un-history" of BigFin... on a wintry Michigan night in 1985, a friend
 and I were trying to determine finance charges.  The available programs for
 the PC had too many errors to be reliable (not even close to Barron's
 figures).  Thus, crash code, no frills, no selection menu, etc., and BigFin
 was born.  Within a very short period of time, suggestions came from
 associates for more formulas/calculations that kept me digging through college
 texts, and reviewing notes from various college finance classes (have you ever
 looked at notes several years after you wrote them...?).  Solutions have been
 provided for most suggestions.  (SEND IN YOURS!!!!)

 My rational for BigFin is to provide a practical, multipurpose finance
 program.  Five areas are included with BigFin.  Those areas are 1) Annuity &
 Savings, 2) Business & Finance, 3) Loans, 4) Miscellaneous, and 5) Currency
 Conversion.  Each of the menus has several formulas/calculations.  The
 Miscellaneous Menu is comprised of "things" that did not fit into the normal
 financial menus, and may or may not be FINANCIAL in nature (they don't cost
 extra).

 BigFin's un-history hasn't ended yet... BigFin is still evolving.  If you
 have a SUGGESTION, and want to be a part of BigFin's history, please send it
 to me.



                                 BigFin Notes

 ASCII Files:

 BigFin allows printing a "screen" to an ASCII file.  You can direct the TEXT
 to any (legal) PATH.  An extension may also be added (if no extension is
 provided, BIG will be appended to the FileName).  Beginning with v 3.16,
 you can APPEND to an EXISTING file.  This suggestion was brought to you by
 Ken K. from New York State.  A helpful feature if you want to include BigFin
 data in a word processing file.  Please NOTE:  a PAGE FEED is provided with
 the ASCII file, so you may will (manually) need to remove it if you use the
 "output" in an ASCII file.  Also NOTE:  To ascertain that a file contains the
 correct information, you can use the File Viewing Utility on the Miscellaneous
 Menu to review it.  When using File View, enter the same PATH (or none), then,
 select the desired file.  VIEW is a handy BigFin feature.

 Caution/Warning/Disclaimer:

 Math is double precision, thus, very accurate.  Nevertheless, because of
 varying standards in calculating, it is my request that results be used for
 estimating only.  There are too many "unknowns" to claim these figures
 accurate in every instance (i.e. late payment charges, early payments,
 surcharges, insurance, taxes, etc.).  Use the results as a guide only, and
 please review the disclaimer at the top of this document.

 A "benchmark" calculation is a loan of 8,000.00 at 8% for eight (8) years,
 the PAYMENT should be 113.09.  Some early "chips" had a floating point error
 that caused inaccuracies.

 Comment/Memo Note:

 You can "add" a fifteen line (sixty chars. per line) COMMENT/MEMO/NOTE to
 the print-outs and ASCII files created by BigFin.

 Printing:

 Control codes are written to output ASCII text.  Therefore, most printers
 should work without problem.  Results can be sent to a printer by selecting
 "P" (as prompted).  After the screen is dumped, the page is ejected from the
 printer (this also works with laser printers).  If the printer is not
 available, a message displays: "Turn printer ON! (Press <Enter>)"  If the
 printer is not available after three cycles, the program will continue (thus,
 not hang you up).  If a print spooler/buffer is enabled, the information is
 sent as though the printer was receiving data.

 NOTE:  You can input the number of LINES to PRINT (before a PAGE FEED)...
 suggested by Clark L. (this has been implemented because of varying page
 lengths with "laser" printers).

 Registration:

 Registered copies of BigFin are available (and encouraged) from the address
 provided on the Response Form.  Please enclose a check or money order for
 $20 (US funds).  Registered users will be notified about major revisions.
 An update (for a registered user) can be obtained by sending $6 (US funds)
 at anytime.  Please send the response form provided, or PRINT the screen on
 the Miscellaneous Menu about REGISTERING BIGFIN.  Using the response form is
 better, since the "questions" posed are helpful to me.

 Oh yes, if you didn't read it in the above... the "monies" collected from
 BigFin go to a College Memorial Scholarship Fund, so thanks for helping the
 kids who need it (my family members are not eligible, so rest assured that
 this isn't a scam).

 System Requirements:

 BigFin displays on Monochrome/CGA/EGA/VGA monitors.  The minimum system
 configuration is one floppy disk drive and 256K RAM.  (Hard disk users
 should set their PATH to the directory where BigFin resides, therefore,
 BigFin is available anytime at the system prompt, i.e.
 PATH=C:\;\C:\UTIL;C:\DOS).  BigFin runs flawlessly on virtually all TRUE
 compatibles.  If it does not run on your computer, please send me the
 computer information via the "BigFin Response Form" at the end of the
 document.

 NOTE:  Some Leading Edge machines, or near compatibles, do not display
        the menu boxes as they should.

 TSR Programs:

 If you have difficulty running BigFin and your machine is a 100% (PC)
 compatible, a TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident) program may be the culprit.
 A TSR program (STACKEY) prevented BigFin from working on my friend, Dr.
 Jensen's, AT with a speed up crystal.  We thought it was the speed crystal,
 but it was, indeed, the TSR program.  BigFin functions flawlessly with
 SuperKey and Sidekick (by Borland).  Please inform me of any TSR programs
 that conflict.

 Odds & Ends:

 1) Knowledge of Finance and Insurance terminology is helpful.  Please
    reference appropriate dictionaries for unknown terms.

 2) BigFin Bar-Menu allows selection by number (1 to 9, that is), or using
    cursor keys. The HOME and END keys move the cursor bar to the First and
    Last item of the menu respectively.  Function Keys F1 and F10 "pop-up" a
    Calendar, and a Calculator respectively.  Handy items to have when using
    a financial program.

 3) Users should know prevailing interest rates (for loans and annuities),
    and the number of annual compounding periods (it is possible to have up
    to 365 COMPOUNDING PERIODS in a year,  BUT not more than 365).  BigFin
    calculations will print (and use) 365 if a larger number is entered in
    any of the Annuity/Savings calculations.

 4) DO NOT use a DECIMAL point when entering PERCENTAGES nor a COMMA when
    entering dollar amounts (i.e. 14% is "14", not .14, and $1400 is "1400"
    not 1,400.  However, 10.125% is "10.125", and $99.99 is "99.99").  A
    decimal point in the wrong place will produce an erroneous calculation.

    If your answer looks out-of-line, you may have made an entry error (it's
    okay, you're human!!!!).

 5) The <Esc> (Escape key) allows the user to QUIT and return to the Main
    Menu.  Also note, you must enter a number unless the field is "OPTIONAL"
    such as, the YEAR and MONTH of the Loan Amortization Schedule.  All
    OPTIONAL fields are indicated as such.

 6) A pop-up calendar and calculator are available at any MENU.  Press
    Function Key One (F1) or Function Key Ten (F10) to use these.  The Calendar
    will increment the MONTHS forward with PgDn while PgUp increments the
    MONTHS backward.  Press any other key to return to the MENU.  The
    Calculator has basic functions, add, subtract, multiple and divide.  The
    prior results are kept.  Press "C" to clear any entry.

 7) Feedback is welcome.  Positive comments are encouraged, but negative
    constructive opinions are also welcome.  Please be honest about BigFin.
    Selling BigFin is not meant to make millions, but rather provide a good
    product at a reasonable price.  BigFin is marketed via the "Shareware"
    approach.  BigFin is copyrighted and protected under applicable copyright
    laws.  The author is the only legal agent to register and sell BigFin
    unless other agreement has been made.

 8) Site registration is available.  For a large number of BigFin copies
    (and related programs) contact Gary D. Moore at the address on the
    response form about site licensing and/or quantity purchases.  BigFin can
    be used like a book... one person using it at a time.  One registration
    does not mean site license.

 9) You can press (Function Key) F10 (as indicated on the lower right-hand
    corner of your screen) for a "pop-up" Calculator at "any" numeric entry.
    However, the "result" does NOT transfer BACK to your "entry" field...
    I'll wait for feedback on that.

 Acknowledgements and Reference:

 Encouragement from friends in the Accounting, Securities, and Insurance
 professions have helped me select several problem solving modules in BigFin.
 BigFin formulas have come from a variety of sources (college math and
 finance professors, the producers of the books listed below, and real-life
 situations).  The following are recommended resources for any library:

  Huffman. Programmed Business Mathematics, Vol. 1 & 2, Fourth Edition, 1980
  Logan. Strategy, Policy and Central Management, Eighth Edition, 1981
  Maaz, Dr. Statistics, Ferris State College, 1981  (Class notes)
  Maaz, Dr. Statistical Inference, Ferris State College, 1981 (Class notes)
  Niswonger & Fess. Accounting Principles, 12th Edition, 1978
  Weston & Brigham. Essentials of Managerial Finance, Fifth Edition, 1979

  Thanks:

  Especially to the great staff at Crescent Software for several routines
  included in BigFin.  To name "each" would take a long time.  However, none
  of their MATH routines are included (I felt more comfortable with my own).

  Appreciation is also due the "many" registered users and "friends" who
  have "suggested" enhancements to BigFin.  To list "everyone" would take a
  long, long time.  So, thanks!

  Finally:

  BigFin will help you realize why John Paul Getty said, "...(compound)
  interest is the eighth wonder of the world."  Happy financing!


                 BigFin Financial Program (Menu) Information


                         Annuity & Savings Programs

 The Annuity and Savings Menu consists of several programs.  Results obtained
 from these programs will convince you about the rewards of saving.  It is
 recommended that BigFin users be familiar with terminology in Finance,
 Insurance, and Securities industries.  A brief explanation follows for each
 program module by title (in alphabetical order):

 Earned Interest Calculation - provides the amount earned on an investment
 over a period time at a fixed interest rate.  A great module to prove the
 rewards of saving.  One thousand dollars at 7.5% for 10 years will yield
 $1061.03 in interest (a total of 2,061.03), while $1000 at 7.5% for 15
 years produces $1958.88 in interest (a total of 2,958.88).  Saving for five
 more years at the same rate almost doubled the interest earned.

 Effective Interest of an Investment - depicts actual earning power of an
 investment.  This can be considered to be like the average interest rate of
 an investment.  Use with caution!

 Estimated Income from an Investment - calculates the amount of investment
 needed for a desired withdrawal.  This figure is based on the number of
 withdrawals per year, the interest rate, and number of years to withdraw.
 This is a great tool for planning cash flows, or retirements.

 Future Value of a Single Deposit - shows the future value of an investment
 at a fixed interest rate compounded at regular intervals for a specific
 period of time.  Depicts the power of saving.  This algorithm showed
 friends who just had a baby what a thousand dollars would yield in 18
 years.  A thousand dollars at 7.9% (compounded quarterly) yields $4,016.80
 for college.  Of course, adding to that annually will yield much more.

 Future Value of a Single Deposit (Annualized) - is essentially the same as
 the preceding, but shows the annual growth rate.  This growth is the
 cumulative interest plus the initial investment.  Simple?  Thanks Tom L.
 for the suggestion (others like the results too).  Oh yes, if the investment
 is more than fifteen years, you are asked if you want a printout (hardcopy).
 Pressing anything by "Y" will send the results to the screen.

 Future Value of Regular Deposits - calculates future value of (equal value)
 deposits at a fixed interest rate for the number of compounding periods
 over a time period.  My brother has a hard time squirreling away a
 thousand dollars a year for an IRA, but he can manage $15 per week.  That
 fifteen dollars per week fifty-two times a year at seven percent interest
 (compounded quarterly) will yield him $33,499.80 at the end of twenty years.
 The monies can then be transferred to another fund from which he can draw a
 retirement supplement.

 Interest Paid and Interest Earned - derived from my buddy ("JC") who always
 wants to know what monies "borrowed" cost (in interest) compared to the
 same monies "invested."  This module has a highlight bar referencing the
 Loan, Investment, or both.  (Loan payment is automatically calculated).
 Information regarding the loan and investment must be known.  The end result
 clearly shows the cost of monies borrowed verses monies invested.

 Investment Interest Rate Calculation - calculates the Effective Annual
 Interest Rate (EAR) of savings, or annuity.  It is akin to the method of
 finding the APR (Annual Percentage Rate) of a loan, but in regard to
 savings.

 Present Value Required for a Future Value - determines the estimated amount
 of an initial deposit required to obtain a desired future value.  This is
 based on the desired future value, compounding periods, fixed interest
 rate, and number of years deposited.  A desired $25,000 in ten years is
 obtained by investing $12,490.02 at seven percent (compounded quarterly)
 now (the system date appears on the screen).

 Rate Of Return of an Investment - simply, the ROI, or Internal Rate of
 Return.  This equation shows the average interest rate earned by an
 investment.

 Regular Deposits Required for a Future Value - calculates the deposit
 needed to realize a future value.  Deposits are made on a regular basis.
 The interest rate, compounding periods, and time period of the investment
 must be known.  If $25,000 dollars was your goal, a regular deposit of
 $34.94, fifty times a year at seven percent interest (compounded quarterly)
 for ten years will accomplish it.  It's incredible what thirty-five dollars
 a week can do when saved on a regular basis.

 Regular Withdrawals from an Investment - calculates how much may be
 withdrawn from an investment WITHOUT reducing the initial investment.  A
 calculation for the conservative minded who want their nest-egg secure.

 Total Depletion of an Investment - this module is effective when a lump-sum
 is to be spent over a period of time.  The amount is selectable by the user
 as is the time period.  This module demonstrates a good way to see how long
 it takes to spend monies (so that the relatives who didn't earn it, don't
 get it when you're gone).  As the bumper sticker says, "I'm having a ball
 spending my kids inheritance...."  I added an optional INCREASE per year.
 Though, the INCREASE is based on an annual amount... not on the WITHDRAWAL
 amount.  A value does not have to be entered.

 Varying Rates, Future Value of a Single Deposit - provides a future value
 of an investment at various rates with the chosen interest rate as a
 midpoint.  The user has the ability to enter one rate (e.g., 10%) plus a
 variance of the rate to compare returns.  An exercise in "What if the rate
 was higher or lower?"  Covers those situations where investment interest
 rates vary (as some "guaranteed" annuities may have in small print).  The
 VARIANCE entered by the user will show the least amount returned to the
 greater amount returned.  Variances are twice the variance below and above
 the entered amount.  This module is a modification of FUTURE VALUE OF A
 SINGLE DEPOSIT.  A practical application is an investment in ZYX Annuity
 Fund guarantees five percent as a low rate of return, and nine percent as a
 high.  Ten-thousand is the initial investment, compounded quarterly for ten
 years.  Entering the information with seven percent as a midpoint with one
 as the variance shows that this investment will yield $16,436.19 at five
 percent (low rate), and $24,351.89 at nine percent (high rate).  This
 variance shows (at a glance) the variance to be expected from the investment.
 ZYX Annuity is fictitious, but these kinds of annuities are real.  This is a
 good "ball park" estimator.



                        Business and Finance Programs

 This menu consists of programs related to business and finance, but do not
 fit other areas.  A brief explanation follows for each program module by
 title (in alphabetical order):

 Break Even Calculation - shows amount of sales needed to break even on an
 item (or service) when FIXED COSTS, RETAIL PRICE, and VARIABLE costs are
 entered.  Provides the break even amount and number of items (services)
 necessary to sell for suggested profit.

 Discounted Commercial Paper - is a complex financial problem made simple
 after supplying the maturity value of a note, the amount of interest it
 bears, and the number of days until it reaches maturity.  It is a common
 practice to buy Account Receivables at a discount then receive full amount
 "X" days later.

 Earnings/Wage Calculation - selected by Annual Salary or Hourly Rate.  Hourly
 Rate uses the hourly wage, number of hours worked per pay period, and number
 of pay periods per year.  Result for both entries show earnings per Minute,
 Hour, Pay Period, Month, Year.  (No matter how MUCH we earn... it's NEVER
 enough!!!!)

 Internal Rate of Return (IRR) Calculation - (for "old" BigFin users, the
 IRR calculation has returned in v 3.15+.)  IRR equates the present value (PV)
 of the expected future cash flows (or receipts) to the initial investment.
 The INITIAL investment must be known, and the NUMBER of cash flows must be
 ONE or more.  And, the CASH FLOWS (negative for additional investment and
 positive for returns) must be known (estimated).  The IRR calculation takes
 a bit longer than most calculations since it keeps looping until the Present
 Value of the cash flows from the investment is about equal to its cost.  When
 this equalization occurs, the result is the IRR.  Please remember, IRR is a
 "guess-ta-mation" equation... USE IT WITH CAUTION!  Howard C. requested that
 I add (revitalize) IRR in BigFin.

 Lease/Buy Decision - (back by popular demand) provides a guess-ta-mation
 for Leasing and Buying.  This calculation is based on the Net-Present-Value
 of monies.  The cost of the ASSET, Amount of the LOAN, Percentage Rate of the
 LOAN, Length of the LOAN, Salvage Value at the END of the LOAN (or BUY BACK
 value), Tax Rate (optional), Monthly lease rate, and Depreciation (for EACH
 year of the LOAN) must be entered as prompted.  The (Net) Present Value of the
 LEASE and LOAN are displayed. The ADVANTAGE (to Lease or Buy) is shown.

 Mean (Average) & Standard Deviation Calculation - a very simple module that
 allows entry of data to produce an average.  If Linda F. needs to know the
 average of her class test scores, she can input the scores and determine
 an average as well as the deviation from the average.

 Population Sample Size Calculation - is a Statistics formula.  It provides
 the necessary number of people/items for sampling based on a population for
 a Scientific Systematic Survey.  The user supplies the base (number) for
 sampling.  (Note:  The population/base must be greater than 125.)



                               Loan Programs

 Loan programs in BigFin are helpful for anyone financing anything.  A study
 of the loan modules will open a new view on the world of financing.  Because
 modules are simple to understand and easy to use, the explanations are
 brief.  All calculations use simple interest based on the standard formula
 INTEREST equals PRINCIPAL times RATE times TIME (plus a few more wiz-bangs
 added).  An explanation follows for each module by title (in alphabetical
 order):

 Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of a Loan - provides the actual interest rate
 paid on a loan.  This is very helpful when a rate is advertised to be a
 bargain, such as, an automobile ad.  The formula will depict the real
 "cost" of a loan.  Also note:  Credit Life should be added to the loan
 repayment to attain a true and accurate APR.  This formula is the same as
 the one perscribed by The Truth and Lending Law (formula is provided on the
 screen for those questioning its validity).

 (Daily) Interest on Loan Principal Calculation - computes interest paid for
 the number of days (supplied by the user) for a specified loan principal at
 an annual interest rate.  Note: Interest figured on 365 day year.  If zero
 (0) is entered, the user can enter specific dates.  Calculation for the
 number of days is derived from the entered dates.

 Final Payment Calculation - will ascertain the last payment amount for a
 loan.  A very simple calculation, but variance occurs because of "hidden
 and unknown" factors.  Please use with caution... it's an estimate!

 Interest Paid and Interest Earned - Please see explanation in Annuity and
 Savings section.  This selection is common to Loans and Annuities, thus
 it is on both menus.

 Loan Amortization Calculation - provides a summary of a loan (a second menu
 prompts output to the Screen, Printer, or ASCII file (PATH Optional)).  The
 loan program is excellent for calculating Land Contracts.  Calculations
 have an annual summary for principal and interest paid.  Output shows the
 Payment Number, Month/Year, Payment, Principal, Interest (per payment),
 Interest-To-Date (ITD), and Balance of the Principal (as of that payment).
 The annual summary is January through December with Year-To-Date totals for
 Principal, and Interest paid.  The "last" payment is designated as LAST, and
 may appear as the thirteenth payment in the final year.

 Notes:  1) A BONUS payment option can be entered (maximum two (2) per year)
 for the indicated months (i.e. 1 = Jan, 2 = Feb, etc., 0 = Quit).  The BONUS
 payment is in ADDITION to the NORMAL payment.  The DEFAULT is a double
 payment.  You can enter what you wish.  2) A BALLOON PAYMENT OPTION allows
 calculates by either a Number of Payments, or Month and Year of the Last
 Payment.  3) As of v 3.17 you can EDIT the entered VALUES.  A message prompts
 "MODIFY ANY OF THE ABOVE ENTRIES (Y/N)?"  The user MUST enter either a 'Y' or
 an 'N' to MODIFY or continue respectively.  4) A summary and disclaimer appear
 at the end of the listing.  5) If there is a REMAINING LOAN BALANCE at the end
 of a BALLOON Loan Amortization, the user may select "Y" at the prompt,
 "ANOTHER (Y/N)?"  The REMAINING LOAN BALANCE with then be the Loan Principle.
 Other previous values are retained.

 Loan Payment Calculation - determines the payment needed to satisfy a loan
 based on interest rate, length (years) of the loan, number of payments per
 year, and the loan principal.  Provides the amount of interest paid.  This
 payment calculation is the same rendered by the two amortization
 calculations in BigFin (and Barron's Loan Amortization Schedule).

 Loan Principal Calculation - calculates the loan principal after entering
 the number of payments per year, amount of payment, interest rate, and the
 length of time to repay a loan.  Real life circumstance... "JC" believes
 he can afford $300 a month for a car.  He knows the interest rate on the
 car is twelve percent.  Based on a four year payment schedule twelve times
 a year, the calculation shows he can borrow $11,392.19.  Be cautious, this
 amount can vary because of "hidden" expenses, late fees, etc., when
 borrowing.  However, it is a good estimation tool.

 Loan Repayment Period /w Total Interest Repaid - shows the length of time to
 repay a loan.  You supply the annual interest rate, the number of years to
 repay the loan, and loan principal.  Beware of "hidden" expenses of a loan,
 these costs can distort the calculation.  Incremental increases depict the
 merit of a quicker pay off.

 Lump Sum Payment Calculation - determines the interest and lump sum payment.
 This is helpful when someone makes a set payment on a loan with interest.  A
 number of farms in Michigan have been sold using this method (payment plus
 interest, paid once a year).  This module was a suggestion by Gale F., a life
 long friend and securities guru.

 Remaining Loan Balance - helps determine the payoff on a loan.  The number
 of payments per year, the interest rate, the amount of the payment, and
 number of payments made thus far are required.  If you secure a loan for
 your home based on twelve payments per year at ten percent interest at $400
 per payment on $42,000, and you have made three payments into your tenth year
 (123 payments), you would owe $32,926.58 on the loan.  This information is
 essential if you are thinking about re-financing, or obtaining a second
 mortgage.  Hidden expenses/fees will distort this figure, please use this
 result with caution.  As with other calculation, remember that this is only
 an ESTIMATE!

 Spread Sheet Loan Amortization Schedule - information entered regarding
 Loan Principal, Interest Rate, Length of Loan (in years), Month and Year
 (loan begins) is used in the spread sheet.  This module provides a "what-if"
 scenario.  Inclusion of this module has been the MOST difficult and time
 consuming of any single effort within BigFin.  (I'm not complaining, just
 stating a fact for those who will request changes, alterations, etc.)
 Note:  1)  If you put in a payment that is GREATER than what is needed, the
 number is changed to the amount to payoff the loan.  2) The OUTPUT to SLK
 file is done to enable "users" to DUMP data to a Spread Sheet of choice.  I
 use the SLK (Symbolic-Link) format to avoid law-suits (the 1-2-3 people have
 "sued" in the past).  Most Spread Sheets import SLK (or SYL) format.  Oh yes,
 the "formulas" go with the SLK export.  Exceptions are the "annuals" (for
 Interest and Principal); these are NOT included (too many  variables).
 Additionally, the SLK files import to Microsoft Excel retain the formulas.
 I CAN NOT vouch for Lotus 1-2-3 to do this.

 Variable Payment Loan Amortization Calculation - provides a summary of a
 loan (a second menu allows selection of output to the screen, printer, or
 an ASCII file (PATH optional)).  This loan program is very helpful to
 calculate loans paid bimonthly, every two weeks, or when you want to make
 thirteen payments a year verses twelve. Output displays Payment and
 Year, Payment Amount, Principal Paid, Interest Paid, Interest-To-Date (ITD),
 and Balance of the Principal (as of that payment).  Annual summary is
 January to December with Year-To-Date totals for Principal and the Interest
 paid that year.  A summary and disclaimer appear at the end of the listing.
 (This was suggested by a friend to ease his land contract woes in figuring
 variable payment amounts.  Good suggestion, Dick!)  Caution:  When using
 this program, the payments begin at the first of the month of the system
 date, therefore, it may look like an extra payment is being made that year.
 Payments are numbered rather than having the Month displayed.



                           Miscellaneous Programs

 The miscellaneous programs are financial and business related formulas that
 do not fit other sections of BigFin.  However, they are handy.  A brief
 explanation is provided for each module by title in alphabetical order:

 Age Calculation - enter your birthday (MMDDYY), and you have the years,
 or hours, or minutes, or seconds you have lived.  Great for kiddies who
 MUST know how many minutes they are old (the rest of us want to forget).

 Area to Square Feet/Square Yard Calculation - computes number of feet/yards
 of material need to cover an area.  If total square feet is known, it can be
 entered.  Cost per square yard can also be entered.  (Square METERS also
 displayed.)

 Area (Square Feet) to Acreage Calculation - a simple equation to determine
 acreage.  If total square feet is known, it can be entered; length and
 width are requested otherwise.  Acreage is return to the hundredth.  A lot
 90 feet by 100 feet is .21 acres.  (Square METERS also displayed.)

 ASCII Chart - was added to help "me" quickly find a character when
 programming.  Uses cursor keys to move around the chart.  Same code as my
 ASCIIWIN program.  (A 'steal' from the Crescent collection... in assembler.)

 Circle, Area & Circumference Calculation - provides the radius of a circle,
 and several variations of the results is displayed.

 Cubic Foot/Yard Calculation - is very useful when estimating the amount of
 concrete or fill need.  If the total square feet is known, it can be entered.
 If not, the user is prompted for the length and width.  The depth is also
 required.  An OPTIONAL cost per cubic yard is prompted.  If a cost is
 provided, an estimated COST is given.  A neat calculation for estimating the
 fill dirt needed to "level" your yard.

 File Viewing Utility - provides a means to look at files.  The files do NOT
 have to be ASCII text (but, I don't know many people who can make sense of
 the "guru" characters on the screen).  You can enter any PATH (e.g. \TEXT
 or B: (for the diskette in Drive B:)), then select the desired file by
 moving the cursor bar over it and Press <ENTER>.  The "screen" contrast menu
 pops up.  Change the contrast, or Press <ENTER> to use the one already
 selected.  (Hope you find this useful!  It is, essentially, the same code as
 my VIEW utility.)

 Fuel Consumption and Cost Calculation - needs the number of units
 (gallons/liters), the cost of each unit, and miles/kilometers driven.  The
 calculation figures the cost per mile and kilometer.

 Home Owner's Cost Calculation - was essentially a Public Domain program
 that has been drastically altered to produce the output to the screen, or
 the printer.  These calculations are based on a single residence tax
 deduction, and provide estimation of savings by realization of gain through
 increase property value, reduction of mortgage principal, and recovery based
 on a person's tax bracket.  These calculations are to be used as a guide for
 prospective buyers.  Please... use this for an ESTIMATE only!

 How To Become A Registered User - hopefully, everyone will read this first
 and immediately send their registration fee to the author.  This selection
 displays an address with which to register BigFin if the documents are not
 available.

 Systems Information Summary - is the system configuration summary of the
 computer on which BigFin is running.  It is essentially the same code used
 in my SysInfo.COM program.

 Text Editor (ASCII File) - this is a simple TEXT editor added due to demand.
 It is very easy to use.  A "cheat-sheet" (Big_Edit.DOC) is included to show
 the various HOT-KEYS the BigFin Editor uses.  The TEXT file size CAN NOT
 exceed 400 lines (about 16K).  When exiting, you are prompted IF you would
 like FILENAME.BAK created.  "Y" creates a "backup" of the file.  The Editor
 is added as of version 3.24.  Note:  The file must EXIST before you can edit.

 Time Transfer Calculation - is helpful to determine time needed to transfer
 a file via a modem.  Baud rate is selectable.  Cost per minute can also be
 entered (optional).



                               Document Menu

 The DOCUMENT Menu displays this text to screen within BigFin.  You can also
 print the Response Form, and this Document to the printer attached to printer
 port ONE (1).  The response form can be folded, then sent with the
 appropriate First Class postage.

 I provided a DEFAULT "path" for the BigFin Document to be either \UTIL\
 or \MISC\BIGFIN\ (thus, making it easier to find).  (The INSTALL program
 installs BIGFIN.EXE and BIGFIN.DOC in the \UTIL directory as its default.
 NOTE:  If you have an early version of BigFin, you may also have BigFin1.DOC
 and BigFin2.DOC, these can be "deleted".  The current version uses ONE
 document BigFin.DOC)

 Change Screen Color - gives users better color contrast when reading the
 Documents with BigFin.

 Print Documents - these are "self-explanatory" on this menu.


                            Currency Conversion

 The CURRENCY CONVERSION Menu - Provides a means to convert several "world"
 currencies to U.S.  The "exchange amount" is determined by the "date"
 specified in the program.  However, you can modify the amount as indicated.
 Other "exchanges" will be added as suggested.



                                SHELL to DOS

 SHELL to DOS (Option) - Allows user to get to DOS without exiting BigFin.
 The prompt is 'set' to BF: Drive:Path, i.e. BF: C:\UTIL    Typing 'exit'
 will return user to BigFin Main Menu.  Why 'shell' to DOS?  If you want
 to 'unstick' your printer, change Drive/Directory (to create files), etc.
 Remember to type EXIT when you are finished since BigFin resides in memory
 (approximately the size of BigFin's EXE, plus two(2) K).  SHELL will NOT
 work with DOS v 2.xx



 BigFin and Windows*

 BIGFIN & WINDOWS* - Included with the "registered" version of BigFin are
 files necessary to run under Windows* 3.x.  These files are BIGFIN.PIF,
 BIGFIN1.ICO, and BIGFIN2.ICO.  The PATH in BIGFIN.PIF is C:\UTIL\BIGFIN.EXE
 (change this to the directory in which BigFin resides on your computer).
 BIGFIN1.ICO and BIGFIN2.ICO are "sample" icons for BigFin.  If someone more
 'artsy' would like to create a better icon(s), I welcome the assistance.  To
 install BigFin (as a Windows application) follow the simple instructions in
 your Windows* manual.

 The PRINT SCREEN, and document PRINTING functions work fine while using
 BigFin (a DOS application) within Windows*.

 WINDOWS* 3.0 Users:  It is necessary to have these files in your
 WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory: EGA80WOA.FON, EGA40WOA.FON, CGA80WOA.FON, and
 CGA40WOA.FON   These must exist to run DOS applications, or you'll get an
 error message ***** WINDOWS* 3.0 ONLY!!!  Microsoft "fixed" this in v 3.1.

 * Windows is a Trademark of Microsoft Corporation

 End of BigFin.DOC  940104