Database Preference - This preference allows you to decide which of the three databases you want to open automatically when you select products from the Consolidated Allocation window. Mutual funds is the default. If you choose Stocks and Bonds, WealthBuilder will open the Stock or Bond database, depending on which type of pie slice, equity or bonds, you select.
Database Loading - Choosing Background loads the database more slowly, but it allows you to work with the partially loaded data while the rest of the database is still loading. Choosing All at once, will load the Research Database from your disk at maximum speed, but you will be unable to work until the loading is finished.
Experience Level - Choose First Time User for step by step assistance when you create a new file - it shows additional help screens and cautions about common beginner mistakes. Choosing Expert permits you to use WealthBuilder's features more quickly - but there are fewer safety nets and you are not warned to avoid some elementary financial pitfalls.
NOTE: Even if you are a veteran MacIntosh "power user" you should choose First Time User until you thoroughly understand the intricacies of the financial planning process and the mechanics of the Portfolio Manager.
Savings reserve - WealthBuilder suggests that you keep an emergency reserve of cash or highly liquid assets - three months is the default value that automatically appears here. If you wish to change this value, enter the new number of months in this field. The result appears on the Suggested Asset graph in the Timeline. The values of the Suggested Asset graph are equal to the values of the Required Assets graph plus the inflation-adjusted emergency reserve.
Net Worth Start Date - Enter the date you wish to start monitoring the growth of your net worth. The default date will be the first time you use the program. You may change this date at any interval you choose. For example, you can change the Start Date annually to see the annual change in your net worth, or you can keep track continuously from the first day you used WealthBuilder.
Net Worth at Start Date - Enter your net worth amount from your Balance Sheet (under the Planning menu or the Balance Sheet Icon on the Timeline) the first time you use the program. If you don't enter your own amount, net worth will default to zero. This value is used to set a benchmark for yourself against which you can compare your performance over time. The results appear in Achievements under the Planning menu.
Use Mail Log - Click here if you want to use your mail log. Your mail can be "Received" from Reality, written by you but "Unsent", written by you and "Sent". This last is your copy.
Use Animation - Checking this box will activate all animations in this program.
Always process after sending - When you communicate with Reality, you can Send requests to Reality via the Send List and receive responses from Reality which are displayed on the Process List. Responses must be processed before they can be accessed in WealthBuilder. You can process information at your convenience when you have time and don't mind tying up your computer for a while. Click this box if you always want to Process the information as soon as you receive it from Reality. That way you can leave your computer once you have started the connection with Reality. All of Reality's resonses will be processed as soon as they are received. This is useful when you are downloading database updates.
Custom communications setup - Some Macintosh computers are configured uniquely, especially for features such as online communications. If this is the case with your Macintosh or, if Reality's Technical Support Department requires you to, click the Custom communications setup feature to access the Apple standards Connection Settings.
Note: You should not need to use this feature if you have a standard Macintosh computer.
Always Update Timeline start date - Each time you open WealthBuilder, a message appears asking if you want to update the Timeline screen date. Checking this box will automatically update the Timeline (if you Save the document) and you will no longer see the message.
