



                     Blue Collar Budget Manager 2.0
                        this program is freeware

   
   ABOUT THE PROGRAM
   This program was written in Qbasic and compiled in VBdos.
   
   It was written initially to provide a better method for my wife and I
   to budget our income, which always seems to just about get us by.

   INSTALLING THE PROGRAM
   Installation is simple: Create a directory of your choice, then unzip
   the file (or copy the unzipped files) to that directory.

   WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
   Five files must reside in your directory:
      bcbud2.exe
      recondep.exe
      reconchk.exe
      budget.ini (ASCII text file)
      default.rec (ASCII text file for setting up accounts, etc.)
      and
      readme.txt (this file) if you need it
   
   To run the program, make your chosen directory the current directory, 
   then type "bcbud2" at the dos prompt.
   
   If you run this program under Windows, run it full-screen. Don't 
   run it in a window; it will behave badly.
   
   Play with the program "as is" to get a feel for it. Test everything
   to see what happens. If you decide it may work for you, then:
      
      Delete every file in your chosen directory except those listed
      above;
      
      Edit "default.rec" to include those accounts that YOU deal with,
      but don't change the format of the file, as shown below:
      
      ACCOUNT NAME,  DEPOSIT AMT       ACCOUNT TYPE       BALANCE
                     $$ PER WEEK,  (CHeck,CAsh,SAvings),  
      -----------------------------------------------------------  
        mortgage  ,      185    ,           ch         ,     0

      (You must include commas as delimiters)

      If you wish to change display colors or some other available
      setting, edit "budget.ini".

      Run the program.

   When you run the program in earnest, the file "current.rec" is
   created; it is this file that you must edit if you want to add new
   account data or delete account data later on.
      
   Criticism is welcome. Leave mail at Compudata BBS, Turnersville, N.J. 
   (609-232-7747), for Roger Keeny
       
