Check C1 to assign a bill to check 1. Unchecked = check 2. F = fixed, V = variable.
William's bills
Rachel's bills
Shared household bills
Summary
William total
$0
Rachel total
$0
Shared total
$0
Household total
$0
Gas is a real obligation not discretionary spending. Check 1 survival money is not safe to spend freely.
William — check 1
Check amount
—
Gas
—
Left until check 2
Survival money — not safe to spend
—
William — check 2
Check amount
—
Real breathing room
—
Rachel — her lane
Monthly income
—
Her breathing room
—
Emergency fund
Emergency fund
Goal: 3 months expenses
0%
$0 savedGoal: $9,000
Savings buckets
Debt payoff — snowball
1
Family loan ~$7,000
Honor the relationship first. $200/mo minimum.
2
William credit cards
Redirect family loan payment once paid off
3
Rachel credit cards
Already in better shape — maintain
4
Personal loan
Final target — redirect everything
Fractional investing — start with $20. John Hope Bryant is right. Starting small is what matters.
Monthly investment amount
Amount$20
Return %8%
Growth over time
5 years
—
10 years
—
20 years
—
30 years
—
Where to start
Fidelity
Fractional shares from $1 — most trusted
Free
Robinhood
Simple interface, fractional shares
Free
Acorns
Rounds up purchases and invests the change
$3/mo
Home affordability calculator
What home can we afford?
$500k vs $750k — payment, income needed, credit score
→
2-year home ownership roadmap
1
Complete the move
End two-state costs
2
Build emergency fund to $9,000
Lenders want 3 months reserves
3
Credit scores to 680+
Both members for best mortgage rate
4
Save down payment 3-5%
FHA on $250k needs ~$8,750
Enter your target home price and current details. HomeCFO will tell you exactly what you need to qualify and what you can truly afford.
Target home price
Home price target
What you are shopping for
Combined annual income
William + Rachel gross
Down payment saved
What you have set aside
Mortgage rate %
Current market ~7%
Affordability verdict
Monthly payment breakdown
What you need to qualify
Credit score roadmap
580
FHA loan minimum
3.5% down — higher rate and PMI required
620
Conventional loan minimum
Can qualify but rate will not be ideal
680
Good rate territory
Lenders compete for your business here
740
Best rates available
This is the target for maximum savings over 30 years
Credit building steps
1
Get utilization below 30%
Biggest score impact. Pay Capital One to $750. Biggest move you can make right now.
2
No new credit applications
Every hard inquiry costs points. Hold for 6 months minimum before shopping for a mortgage.
3
Zero late payments
Payment history is 35% of your score. One late payment can drop you 50-100 points.
4
Keep old accounts open
Length of credit history matters. Do not close old cards even if you do not use them.
5
Ask for credit limit increases
Higher limits with same balance = lower utilization = higher score. No new account needed.
$500k vs $750k — honest comparison
I am your HomeCFO. I know your complete financial picture and I will give you honest, direct guidance. I will tell you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear. That is the only way I can actually help you build the financial life you are working toward. What do you want to know?