  AFFORD IT??? Help File  INDX Index:
ABCO About Interest and Compounding
ABLO About Loans and Loan Calculation
AMME Amortization Menu
CHPR Change Printout
CHPA Changing Parameters
DAEN Data Entry
DEFI Definitions
DEME Depreciation Menu
ERME Error Messages
FUKE Function, Alt, Ctrl KEYS, & DOS
GRME Growth Menu
METR Menu Tree
MISC Miscellaneous
OPME Options Menu
POCA Pocket Calculator
TRAC Tracker Menu & Uses
ABCO Section 1:  ABOUT INTEREST AND COMPOUNDING
 ------------------------------------------
  Interest on invested money can be compounded in a variety of ways.
  Quarterly compounding (4 times per year) is quite common throughout the
  business world.  Because there is no one standard time interval to
  use in compounding, a normalization technique is often employed.  When
  all is said and done, normalization makes it possible to compare values
  because they are on equal turf.

  The effective annual percentage rate (APR) is this normalized value.  It
  takes into mind the frequency of compounding within that system.  Imagine
  trying to determine the best value for your money between accounts at
  5.6% compounded daily, 6.1 % compounded quarterly, and 6.99% compounded
  annually.

  Often a person will see two interest rates given for an account -- the
  simple rate (i.e. 7.0% compounded quarterly) and the effective APR (i.e.
  7.1859%).

  In calculations which request both the interest rate and the frequency of
  compounding, you have two choices.  If you know only the effective APR,
  enter it at the request for the interest rate, and type in 1 at the
  request for frequency of compounding.

  The other choice is to use the simple annual interest rate and then
  enter the frequency of compounding at the program's request.  If you are
  not sure how to interpret the frequency of compounding, refer to the
  following table:

                                   TABLE 1
                                   -------
               Frequency of                      Number to enter
               Compounding                    (# of times per year)
               ------------                   ---------------------
               Annually                                 1
               Semi-annually                            2
               Quarterly                                4
               Monthly                                 12
               Semi-monthly                            24
               Weekly                                  52
               Daily                                  365


  Let us look at a quick example calculation:

       Say you invest $10,000 for 10 years at an effective APR of
       7.1859%.  The maturity value is $20,015.97.

       Now say you invest the same $10,000 for 10 years at an
       interest rate of 7.00% per year, and you know that the
       frequency of compounding is quarterly (4 times per year).
       The maturity value is $20,015.97.



ABLO Section 2:  ABOUT LOANS AND LOAN CALCULATION
 --------------------------------------------
  Loans are generally calculated through use of a variety of formulas.
  These formulas are usually of the variety in which all but one of the
  variables are plugged in, and the remaining unknown is found by solving
  the equation.  This is the format used by this program.

  These formulas were determined through algebraic manipulation, deriva-
  tion, and integration of exponential functions.  They were thoroughly
  researched and tested throughout the program development process.

  Loan calculation mode "A" (Add on installments) is probably the one
  which could be considered most standard.  It is often referred to as
  normal amortization.  In this mode, interest is basically paid first;
  principle is paid later.

  Loan calculation mode "E" (Equal principle reduction) is a newer method
  by which the principle is equally reduced every time a payment is made.
  This will result in a lesser amount of interest being paid over the term
  of the loan.

  Loan calculation mode "R" (Rule of 78's) is used in this program only to
  calculate pay-off amounts.  The reason is that business commonly uses it
  for this purpose since it is a method of approximating interest owed vs.
  unearned interest on a loan.

  Various financial institutions will "tweak" their calculation formulas
  for one reason or another.  Because of this fact, it is possible that the
  figures generated by AFFORD IT??? will not exactly match the figures
  generated by every financial institution.  They should be quite close,
  but these differences along with rounding errors, evaluation of
  significant figures, and varying time lengths could take their toll on
  exactness; therefore, the following disclaimer must be made:

  DISCLAIMER:
      The calculations done by AFFORD IT??? are meant to provide
      very good estimates.  For various reasons, the figures
      generated may not exactly match those from other sources.
      Although the material for this program was thoroughly
      researched before and during development, CleoSci and its
      authors do not claim to be experts on financial calculations.
      Consult qualified experts for further information.

      The results generated in AFFORD IT??? ARE NOT meant to be used
      as a legal defense, or any other type of defense, against
      figures provided by banks or financially related persons or
      institutions.  AFFORD IT??? is offered/sold as is and carries
      with it no other warranties, expressed or implied, including,
      but not limited to, warranties of merchantability, fitness for
      a purpose, and so on.  CleoSci and its authors shall NOT be
      liable for ANY type of damage caused by using AFFORD IT???



AMME Section 3:  AMORTIZATION MENU
 -----------------------------
  This menu has the following selections:

            Monthly Payment               Pay-off Amn't Now
            Term of Loan                  Definition
            Principle

  Monthly Payment determines your payment on a hypothetical loan which will
  be payed in equal amounts each month for a given number of months.

  Term of Loan determines the number of months (and years) that a loan will
  last provided an equal payment is made each month to pay back a certain
  amount of principle.

  Principle determines the amount of loan which can be taken provided that
  an equal payment will be made each month for a given number of months.

  Pay-off Amn't Now determines the amount needed to pay the loan in full
  TODAY assuming that an equal payment has already been made each month for
  a given number of months.  There are three calculation mode options:  A
  for Normal Amortization, E for Equal Principle Reductions, and R for Rule
  of 78's.  (See Section 2: About Loans and Loan Calculation for more
  information.)

  Definition simply displays on-screen the basic definition of amortiza-
  tion.



CHPR Section 4:  CHANGE PRINTOUT
 ---------------------------
  A line printer can be invoked for the main functions of AFFORD IT???.
  This allows for hardcopies of detailed amortization/calculation reports
  based upon the work you have done.

  The printer can be called nearly any time, but the Pocket Calculator and
  this help system display to screen only.

  Attempts to call a printer, which for some reason is unavailable for use,
  will generate error messages explaining the nature of the problem.  Output
  direction will either remain unchanged, or it will be redirected to the
  CRT screen.  AFFORD IT??? assumes the printer you will use resides on
  LPT1.  If you have only one printer, this case is most likely true.



CHPA Section 5:  CHANGING PARAMETERS
 -------------------------------
   Whenever a calculation is completed, a menu is displayed which asks you
   if you wish to a) Make Changes, b) Recalculate, or c) Terminate Process.

   Make Changes option puts you back to the first menu in which you were
   able to edit the entries pertaining to the particular calculation.
   Entries can be modified, and the new calculation can be generated by
   pressing Shift-Enter (hold Shift, press Enter).

   Recalculate will automatically change the calculation mode (if you are
   in amortization) and recalculate the equation using the same parameters
   (entries) as before.  This is helpful to show the differences in
   payments with the two modes.

   Terminate Process simply returns you to the main desktop and menu.



DAEN Section 6:  DATA ENTRY
 ----------------------
   Data for any of the equations can be entered by starting one of the
   calculation modes from the main menus (or by pressing the appropriate
   hot key).

   A limited number of digits may be entered at each numerical entry point.
   The number of digits allowed for each entry varies depending upon the
   numerical value the program is looking for in that entry (see the table
   at the end of this section).  Each numerical entry may be edited as
   well, and the following keys respond to editing:

        Backspace             Delete                   Down Arrow
        End                   Home                     Left Arrow
        Right Arrow           Shift-Backspace          Up Arrow
        Enter                 Shift-Enter

   Probably the only explanations needed are that a) the Shift-Backspace
   (hold shift down and press backspace) deletes the entire entry in one
   shot.  In contrast, the Delete and Backspace keys remove only one digit
   at a time, b) Enter enters that value as an answer to that question and
   toggles you downward to the next question, and c) Shift-Enter accepts
   all entered values for all questions, closes the menu, and proceeds with
   calculations.

   An added note is that the Up/Down Arrow keys toggle you between entries.
   Whatever digits you had at the current entry will be retained even if
   you use these keys to move to the next entry.

   The following table shows each type of expected data entry given a
   question relating to that data type.  Each entry can be no more than
   "# of digits" in size.  The maximum entry listed also shows the expected
   format for that data type.  The maximum entry for "# Pmnt's Made" always
   depends upon the value given in "# of Pmnt's."

                  # of     Maximum                         # of   Maximum
     Data Type   Digits     Entry            Data Type    Digits   Entry
    ────────────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────
     Principle     13   10,000,000.00   │   # Yr's. Withdr.  6     125.00
     Future Value  14  100,000,000.00   │   Deposit Amount   9  50,000.00
     Rate           9       35.000000   │   Deposit Freq.    3        365
     # of Pmnt's    3             480   │   Withdr. Freq.    3        365
     Pmn't Amount   9       50,000.00   │   Compound Freq.   3        365
     Withdr. Am't   9       50,000.00   │   Date             8   MM/DD/YY
     # Pmnt's Made  3             ###   │   Calcult'n Mode   1    A, E, R
     # of Years     6          125.00   │   Line Number      3        480



DEFI Section 7:  DEFINITIONS
 -----------------------
  Annual Percentage
  Rate                 The normalized interest rate based on one full year.
                       This rate takes into account all compounding during
                       that year.

  Compounding          The process of charging interest to itself.  In
                       other words, if an account starts with $100 and it
                       earns 10% interest, the value of the account at the
                       end of the period is $110 -- gain of $10.  The next
                       time interest is earned at 10%, the account gains
                       $11 -- $10 on the original principle and $1 on the
                       interest from the previous period.

  Compound Frequency   The number of times within a year that interest is
                       compounded.  For example, quarterly compounding
                       means that interest is compounded 4 times per year
                       at equal intervals.

  Compound Interest    The amount of interest earned as a result of
                       compounding; interest earned on itself.

  Principle            The full starting amount of a loan or savings
                       deposit; the amount in an account on which interest
                       may be calculated.

  Simple Interest      The basic interest rate accumulated on an account.
                       This rate DOES NOT include compounding.



DEME Section 8:  DEPRECIATION MENU
 -----------------------------
  This menu has the following selections:

            Steady Withdrawal Am't        Principle Needed
            How Long Money Will Last      Definition

  Steady Withdrawal Am't computes the amount which can be regularly with-
  drawn from an account given a starting principle, the interest rate,
  the number of years for which withdrawal is desired, and the number of
  withdrawals per year.

  How Long Money Will Last computes when the money will run out provided
  that you have invested the money at a certain rate and that you regular-
  ly withdraw an amount of money from the account.

  Principle Needed computes the amount of money which must be invested in
  order to regularly withdraw a specified amount of money for a certain
  number of years.

  Definition simply displays on-screen the basic definition of deprecia-
  tion.



ERME Section 9:  ERRORS
 -------------------
  CANNOT ACCESS HELP SYSTEM:  This error has a rather lengthy message to
         aid you as you will not be reading this if it occurs.  Basically
         it means that the file AFFORD.HLP is missing from the main program
         directory, is corrupted, or there are too many programs already
         being run but not terminated before the AFFORD IT??? session was
         started.

  CANNOT CREATE FILE "AFFORD.CFG":  This probably means that the disk/drive
         on which you have your main AFFORD IT??? files is full (or nearly
         full).  The configuration file is very small; therefore, if you
         can move even one data file to some other place, this error will
         probably go away.

  CANNOT READ DATA FILE:  This error occurs when AFFORD IT??? cannot
         properly read the requested tracker data file.  Be sure that the
         file is a valid AFFORD IT??? tracker file and that you have spec-
         ified the correct path to search for the file.  If you have, then
         perhaps the file has been corrupted.  If you have made a backup
         copy of the file on another disk somewhere, try that one.  You
         could also try opening the .BAK file of the same first name.  If
         this does not work, you may have to re-enter your data.

         If you cannot open ANY tracker file, and you are SURE they are
         valid tracker files, your AFFORD.EXE program may be corrupted.
         Contact us if you feel you cannot correct the problem yourself.

  CONFIGURATION FILE NOT FOUND:  This error really is not serious.  It
         simply causes the program to use default settings.  If you HAVE
         already saved new colors, AND you get this message, the file
         AFFORD.CFG was probably accidently deleted or moved to a new
         location.  Either locate the file and move it back, or reset the
         colors and save them again.

         This message will display (although you may not see it) the first
         time the program is run.

  FILE NOT AFFORD IT??? DATA FILE v2.0:  the file either is not an AFFORD
         IT??? tracker data file, or it is a tracker file from an older
         version of AFFORD IT???.  If you are certain the file IS a tracker
         file from an older version of AFFORD IT???, run the program
         TRKCON.EXE to convert to the new format.

  INFINITE DIVERSION:  There is a limit to the low-end amount of a monthly
         payment that may be made on a given loan.  Below this point means
         divergence to infinity -- the loan can NEVER be paid off.
         Generation of this error flashes a warning followed by a minimum
         payment amount.  Edit the entry to be AT LEAST this amount.

  INVALID INTEGER REPRESENTATION:  Integer values do not allow decimals.
         The number of payments made, for example, must be an integer.

  INVALID NUMERIC REPRESENTATION:  This most likely means there are too
         many decimals in the numeric value (example:  4.05.2).  Perhaps an
         alpha character made its way into the number.  To correct the
         problem, simply edit the entry at the point of error.

  PRINTER ERRORS:  These are identified at the time of occurrence.  Check
         your printer to correct the problem(s).

  UNABLE TO LOCATE...:  The named file was not found in the current
         directory.  To avoid this problem, it is best that AFFORD IT???
         and ALL of its supporting files reside in the current directory.

  UNRECOGNIZED "AFFORD.CFG" FILE FORMAT:  This causes the program to use
         default settings.  It is generated when it finds an older version
         of the AFFORD.CFG file than the program requires.  You should run
         the program CFGCON.EXE to convert your old configuration file to
         the new configuration file version which will be accepted by this
         program.

         As an alternative, you could simply reset the colors yourself and
         answer "Y" when asked if you wish to save to file AFFORD.CFG.  A
         new, updated file would then be created.



FUKE Section 10.1:  F (Function) KEYS
 --------------------------------
  F1:  Hot key to activate the "Find Monthly Payment" menu option.
  F2:  Hot key to activate the "Pay-off Amn't Now" menu option.
  F3:  Hot key to activate the "Track Payments" menu option.
  F5:  This key works exactly as the ESC key.  It has been left active for
       historical reasons.
  F7:  Hot key to activate the "Num. of Yrs. to Maturity (One Deposit)"
       menu option.
  F8:  Hot key to activate the "Maturity Value (Continuous Deposit)" menu
       option.
  F9:  Hot key to activate the "Steady Withdrawal Am't" menu option.
  F10: Hot key to activate the help system index.

 Section 10.2:  Alt KEYS
 ------------------------
  Alt-F1: Hot key to activate the "Term Of Loan" menu option.
  Alt-F7: Hot key to activate the "Maturity Value (One Deposit)" menu
          option.
  Alt-F9: Hot key to activate the "How Long Money Will Last" menu option.
  Alt-C:  Hot key to activate the "Pocket Calculator" menu option.
  Alt-I:  Hot key to activate the "Convert Interest Rates" menu option.
  Alt-M:  Hot key to activate the "Change calculation mode" menu option.
  Alt-N:  Hot key to activate the "New operating colors" menu option.
  Alt-P:  Hot key to activate the "Printer/Screen" menu option.
  Alt-Q:  Hot key to activate the "Quit AFFORD IT???" menu option.

 Section 10.3:  Ctrl KEYS
 ------------------------
  Ctrl-F1:Hot key to activate the "Principle" menu option.
  Ctrl-F7:Hot key to activate the "Present Value (One Deposit)" menu
          option.
  Ctrl-F8:Hot key to activate the "Deposit Amount (Continuous Deposit)"
          menu option.
  Ctrl-F9:Hot key to activate the "Principle Needed" menu option.

 Section 10.4:  OTHER KEYS
 -------------------------
  ESC:    Hot key to exit from the current process.  The F5 key does the
          same thing, and it remains active for historical reasons.

 Section 10.5 ACCESS TO DOS
 --------------------------
  It is possible to conveniently access the DOS Command Shell (through the
  "Options" menu) in order to perform various DOS commands.  During this
  time AFFORD IT??? stays resident in memory.  Typing "Exit <return>" at
  the cursor will go back to the AFFORD IT??? environment providing that
  nothing else has been started and "left running" AFTER your temporary
  leave from AFFORD IT???.  Care must be taken not to load up too many
  resident programs at one time as they will quickly consume precious RAM.

  If you get an error when trying to shell to DOS, you may already have
  too many things "running" on your system at one time.  Please refer to
  the section on error messages for more information.



GRME Section 11:  GROWTH MENU
 ------------------------
  This menu has the following selections:

                    Num. of Yrs. to Maturity (One Deposit)
                    Maturity Value (One Deposit)
                    Present Value (One Deposit)
                    Maturity Value (Continuous Deposit)
                    Deposit Amount (Continuous Deposit)
                    Definition

  Num. of Yrs. to Maturity (One Deposit) calculates the number of years it
  will take for an account to reach a specified value.

  Maturity Value (One Deposit) determines the amount of money an account
  will have after a certain number of years given a specified starting
  value.

  Present Value (One Deposit) determines the amount needed to deposit in an
  account in order for it to reach a specified value after a certain length
  of time.

  Maturity Value (Continuous Deposit) calculates the amount of money an
  account will have at the end of a period of time given that equal
  deposits are made to the account regularly.

  Deposit Amount (Continuous Deposit) determines the amount to be regularly
  deposited in order to reach a certain amount after a specified length of
  time.

  Definition simply displays on-screen the basic definition of growth.



METR Section 12:  MENU TREE
 ----------------------
  ≡ ─┐                  Amortization          Depreciation
     │                   │                     │
    About AFFORD         ├ Monthly Payment     ├ Steady Withdrawal Am't
    IT???                ├ Term of Loan        ├ How Long Money Will Last
                         ├ Principle           ├ Principle Needed
  Help                   ├ Pay-off Amn't Now   └ Definition
   │                     └ Definition
   ├ Index
   └ Browse

  Growth                               Options
   │                                    │
   ├ Num. of Yrs. to Maturity (1 Dep.)  ├ Pocket Calculator
   ├ Maturity Value (One Deposit)       ├ Convert Interest Rates
   ├ Present Value  (One Deposit)       ├ Change Calculation Mode
   ├ Maturity Value (Con't. Dep.)       ├ New Operating Colors
   ├ Deposit Amount (Con't. Dep.)       ├ Printer/Screen
   └ Definition                         ├ Quit AFFORD IT???
                                        └ Access to DOS
  Tracker
   │
   ├ Create New File
   ├ Work on Existing File
   └ Definition



MISC Section 13:  MISC
 -----------------
  HIGHLIGHTED/KEY LETTERS: These letters define shortcuts.  For example,
       to view the definition of depreciation, press the keys "Alt" and "D"
       at the same time.  Then press "D" when you see the Depreciation
       menu.

  NEGATIVE INTEREST:  It is possible (although not fully realistic) to
       generate negative interest on some of the tables.  If this happens,
       it simply means that some of the figures are incorrect (or that you
       are extremely astute in the business sense ).  An example is this:

       Principle:           $1000.00
       # of Payments:       20
       Amount of Payments:  $20.00

       It can clearly be seen that there is no possible way the entire
       $1000.00 can be paid in full in 20 - $20 payments unless the lender
       is paying YOU interest to borrow HIS/HER money.

  "1.00 MIL" or "> 1 BILLION" NOTATION:  In some cases where screen space
       is at a premium, this space saving notation has been used.  In these
       cases, the values will be listed in a short decimal form of millions
       of dollars (i.e. $1.25 mil), or as greater than one billion dollars
       ( > $1 billion).

  WRONG COLORS:  If the colors which come up in the AFFORD IT??? environ-
       ment are not as you had remembered setting them, it is possible
       AFFORD IT??? could not find the configuration file at start up time.
       AFFORD IT??? sets default colors in this case.  Check to see that
       AFFORD.EXE and AFFORD.CFG both reside in the same directory.  Also
       check to see if AFFORD.CFG exists at all.  You may wish to reset
       your colors.  Upon exiting the color selection process, choose "Y"
       when asked to save values to AFFORD.CFG otherwise, your color
       changes will not show up the next time you run the program.

  ZERO VALUES:  If at some time you read a value of zero that does not make
       sense (i.e. Principle = $0.00  while  Maturity Value = $10,000.00),
       this indicates that the principle has a value less than one cent.
       Since our U.S. monetary system is, for all intents and purposes,
       divided into 1/100's of a dollar, the actual value is not registered
       on the screen when it is less than one cent (although the computer
       uses it for calculation).



OPME Section 14:  OPTIONS MENU
 -------------------------
  This menu has the following selections:

            Pocket Calculator             Printer/Screen
            Convert Interest Rates        Quit AFFORD IT???
            Change Calculation Mode       Access to DOS
            New Operating Colors

  Pocket Calculator invokes the program CALCULTR.EXE.  See Section 16:
  POCKET CALCULATOR in this help system for more information.

  Convert Interest Rates allows you to calculate matching values between
  simple and compound interest rates.

  Change Calculation Mode allows you to switch the loan amortization mode
  between mode "A" (Add on installments) and mode "E" (Equal principle
  reduction).  See Section 2:  ABOUT LOANS AND LOAN CALCULATION for more
  information.

  New Operating Colors allows you to change the colors of the AFFORD IT???
  environment.  If you wish, you can save the colors so they will be in
  effect the next time you run the program.  The following keys can be
  used to move through the color change menus:

         Down Arrow           End            Enter          Home
         Left Arrow           Right Arrow    Esc        Up Arrow

      You can select a prototype from the menu on the left by pres-
      sing the enter key when the prototype is blinking.  This will
      move you to the menu on the right where the cursor will be
      located at the current color selection for that prototype.
      Use the arrow keys to move to the desired new color, and press
      the enter key.  The change will show up on the blinking proto-
      type.

      Press Esc to end the process.  If you have made changes, you
      will be asked if you wish to save those changes to the config-
      uration file.

  Printer/Screen allows you to direct the printout to a printer for a hard-
  copy.  See Section 5:  CHANGE PRINTOUT for more information.

  Quit AFFORD IT??? allows you to close and exit the AFFORD IT??? environ-
  ment.

  Access to DOS allows you to temporarily shell to the DOS environment.
  See Section 10.5:  ACCESS TO DOS for more information.



POCA Section 15:  POCKET CALCULATOR
 ------------------------------
  The pocket calculator is a separate DOS program which allows you to do
  additional mathematical calculations at any time from within (or outside
  of) the AFFORD IT??? environment.

  It functions much the same way a regular pocket calculator does, but it
  also has some extra features.  Among them are: a) the backspace key can
  be used to delete erroneous key entries, b) parenthetic expressions can
  be used to force early evaluation, and c) exponents can be calculated.

  It DOES follow operator priority assignments.  This means that multi-
  plication and division are evaluated before addition and subtraction.
  Parenthetic expressions are evaluated before anything starting with the
  inner-most pair of parenthesis.

  The following examples show effects of parenthesis and operator
  priorities:

       1) (8+5)*2 = 13*2 = 26         8+5*2  = 8+10 = 18
       2) (5*(9-6)) = (5*3) = 15      5*9-6  = 45-6 = 39
       3) (6+2)/((8-1)*3)=            6+2/8-1*3 = 6+0.25-3 = 3.25
          (6+2)/(7*3) = 8/21 = 0.381

  Exponents can be calculated by using the " ^ " key in the following
  manner:

            2^4 = 16          5^3 = 125          10^2 = 100

  Because the Pocket Calculator is a separate program, the AFFORD IT???
  help system will not be available while the calculator is being run.  It
  does, however, have its own help-screen which shows the basic functions.

  If the error message "Unable to access file CALCULTR.EXE" occurs, it is
  probably necessary to transfer this file to the default drive, or change
  the current drive to the one containing this program.



TRAC Section 16:  TRACKER MENU & USES
 --------------------------------
  This menu has the following selections:

            Create New File               Definition
            Work on Existing File

  Create New File simply requests all information essential to making a
  new tracker file.  The file is then created and ready for your own data
  to be added.

  Work on Existing File opens a tracker file which already was created in
  the "Create New File" mode.  This is the main data entry mode for the
  tracker file.

  Definition simply displays on-screen the basic definition of the use
  of the tracker mode.



  Reading a File
  --------------
  You may type in the entire path at the open "File" window, or you may
  select a file from the list in the "Select" window.  Alt-F (File) and
  Alt-S (Select) toggle between the two.  The current path shown in the
  window above these two windows is the one from which the "Select" list
  was created.  You may also use a combination of the two options until
  you have reached the proper location and file.

  The Basic Tracker
  -----------------
  The tracker is a powerful feature which allows you to track how much,
  when, and how long you pay on your loans.  It serves equally well if
  you loan money to other people.  You can use it to track when the pay-
  ments come in from them.  It keeps a running tally of the balance due
  on each loan.  Every loan requires a separate file to be kept; however,
  the files are quite small in terms of disk space.  They may also be
  compressed without harm if you wish to do so (use a file compression
  utility).

  Each time you add a data line to the tracker file you have opened, it
  asks you for the amount and date of the payment.  It uses this informa-
  tion to calculate principle and interest added to and subtracted from
  your loan.  Since most lending institutions base their loans on 12
  periods in a year, you will want to enter the date that your payment is
  due (assuming it is not late) NOT the date on which you mail your pay-
  ment.

  If your payment is late, this becomes a little trickier.  You will need
  to use the date on which your loan institution credited your payment
  since they will be charging additional interest on your overdue payment.
  (NOTE:  Your payment is probably not late if you do not need to pay an
  additional "late payment" penalty.)  You also may need to add to the
  principle the amount of any penalty required by your lending institution
  for late payment.

  Restructure File (Alt-R)
  ------------------------
  This brings to light the option Alt-R which allows you to modify any of
  the initial parameters of your loan.  A data entry menu is displayed
  just like the one shown in "Create New File."  You may alter the data
  just like you would in any data entry situation (see Section 6:  DATA
  ENTRY for additional information).

  If any of the parameters affecting calculation are modified, it will ask
  you from which date you wish loan recalculation to begin.  If the date
  you post matches or is close to one already in the file, the file date
  will show up with an "*" in front of the payment number to signify that
  an important change was made around this time.  If the modification is
  due to the addition of a late penalty, for example, you would simply
  enter the date on which your payment became late.  The "new" principle
  amount (see "The Basic Tracker") would take effect as of that date.

  As a second example, let us assume you have discovered (12 months later)
  that you initially set up your file with the wrong amount of principle.
  You now wish to put in the correct amount.  Choose Alt-R and make the
  changes.  When the program requests the date to begin recalculation,
  enter the same data as the loan was begun.

  Del, Insert, Change (Alt-L)
  ---------------------------
  As additional conveniences, you may delete any line in the file (except
  the first one), insert a line in between other lines, and/or modify the
  information contained in any line in the file (except the first line).

  PgUp, PgDn, Home, End, Arrow keys, Print (Alt-P)
  ------------------------------------------------
  You may use the page, home, end, and arrow keys to view the contents of
  the file, and you may print the ENTIRE file on a printer as well.
