Understanding Your Financial Future¶

Doughsense's Timeline feature is like a crystal ball for your finances. It shows you exactly where your money will be in the future based on your current situation and plans.

What is the Timeline?¶

The Timeline takes everything you've told Doughsense about your finances and projects it forward, showing you:

How your net worth will grow
When you'll reach your goals
How life events will impact your finances
What happens if you make changes today

Think of it as a financial GPS - it shows you where you're headed and helps you navigate to where you want to be.

How to Use the Timeline¶

Viewing Your Timeline¶

Go to any tab (Dashboard, Portfolio, Budget, or Plans)
Look for the date selector at the top
Tap to see a calendar view of your financial future
Select any date to see your projected finances

What You'll See¶

When you select a future date, Doughsense shows:

Net Worth - Total value of everything you own minus what you owe
Account Balances - Projected balance of each account
Debt Balances - Remaining balance on each debt
Asset Values - Estimated value of your properties and assets
Cash Flow - Money available for spending

Understanding the Projections¶

The Timeline automatically calculates:

For Your Accounts

Interest earned on savings
Investment returns based on your growth rates
Impact of deposits and withdrawals

For Your Debts

Interest charges
Payment progress
Exact payoff dates

For Your Assets

Appreciation (like home values going up)
Depreciation (like car values going down)

For Your Budget

All scheduled income
All planned expenses
The net effect on your accounts

Key Features¶

See Goal Achievement¶

The Timeline shows exactly when you'll reach each goal:

Emergency fund fully funded
Debt completely paid off
Retirement savings targets met
Down payment saved

Test "What If" Scenarios¶

Want to see how changes affect your future? Try:

Increasing your savings rate
Making extra debt payments
Changing investment contributions
Adjusting expense amounts

The Timeline instantly shows the impact of any change.

Spot Problems Early¶

The Timeline helps you identify issues before they happen:

Cash flow shortages
Delayed goal achievement
Insufficient retirement savings
High interest costs

Reading Your Timeline¶

Color Coding¶

Doughsense uses colors to help you quickly understand your timeline:

Green - Positive cash flow, goals on track
Yellow - Caution areas, tight cash flow
Red - Negative cash flow, attention needed

Key Milestones¶

The Timeline highlights important events:

Goal achievements
Debt payoff dates
Retirement eligibility
Major purchase readiness

Trends to Watch¶

Pay attention to:

Net Worth Trajectory - Is it steadily increasing?
Cash Flow Patterns - Any months with shortfalls?
Goal Progress - Are you on track?
Debt Reduction - Is it happening fast enough?

Practical Examples¶

Example 1: Emergency Fund Planning¶

Sarah wants a £10,000 emergency fund. The Timeline shows:

Current savings: £2,000
Monthly contribution: £500
Interest earned: £50
Result: Fund complete in 16 months (June 2025)

Example 2: Debt Payoff Strategy¶

Mike has £15,000 in credit card debt. The Timeline reveals:

Minimum payments: Paid off in 8 years, £7,200 interest
Extra £200/month: Paid off in 3 years, £2,400 interest
Savings: £4,800 and 5 years

Example 3: Retirement Planning¶

Jennifer, age 35, wants to retire at 60. The Timeline projects:

Current retirement savings: £50,000
Monthly contributions: £500
Projected value at 60: £842,000
Monthly retirement income: £3,500

Making the Most of Your Timeline¶

Regular Check-ins¶

Review your Timeline monthly to:

Ensure you're on track
Spot opportunities to optimise
Adjust for life changes
Celebrate progress

Scenario Planning¶

Use the Timeline to answer questions like:

"What if I get a raise?"
"Can I afford a new car?"
"Should I pay off debt or save?"
"When can I retire?"

Decision Making¶

Before major financial decisions, check the Timeline:

See long-term impact
Compare different options
Avoid costly mistakes
Make confident choices

Tips for Accuracy¶

The Timeline is only as good as your data:

Keep Balances Updated - Monthly updates ensure accurate projections
Use Realistic Rates - Conservative estimates are better than optimistic ones
Include All Items - Missing accounts or expenses skew projections
Inflation is Automatic - Doughsense applies inflation to all projections

Common Questions¶

Q: How far into the future can I see?
A: The Timeline projects up to 100 years or to age 100, giving you a complete lifetime view.

Q: What if my projection seems wrong?
A: Check that all your accounts, income, and expenses are entered correctly with appropriate growth rates.

Q: Can I see different scenarios side by side?
A: Currently, you can quickly switch between scenarios by adjusting values and noting the results.

Q: Do projections account for taxes?
A: Enter your after-tax (take-home) income. For retirement accounts, you can set up transfer multipliers on the account to model taxes on withdrawals or tax relief on contributions.

Q: How does Doughsense handle inflation?
A: Automatically! When you set growth rates (using presets or custom values), use nominal rates. Doughsense calculates real returns and applies inflation to all projections. Plan targets can be set as "actual money" or "today's money" (inflation-adjusted).

Your Financial GPS¶

Remember, the Timeline isn't set in stone - it's a dynamic tool that changes as you make different choices. Use it to:

Navigate toward your goals
Avoid financial pitfalls
Make informed decisions
Stay motivated by seeing progress

The future is yours to shape, and the Timeline shows you exactly how your choices today create your tomorrow.

Next Steps¶

Now that you understand your financial future:

Set meaningful goals to work toward
Track your progress with key metrics
Personalise your projections for better accuracy

Remember: Small changes today can have huge impacts on your future. Use the Timeline to find the changes that matter most for your goals.