Talk:Cash management

Purpose of the article

This article rapidly moves from cash management to savings - these are distinct subjects and should be treated as such. Will come back to this for editing when I have time, thank you! -- Flights of Fancy 07:51, 12 March 2009‎ (MST)

IMO, this article should be an introduction to the articles in the Cash management category. It is already doing that to some extent by introducing emergency funds, savings accounts, and Short term cash returns (which itself introduces most of the articles listed under Accounts and products in the sidebar, i.e. GICs, HISAs, etc.). Cash management could also introduce low cost banking and chequing accounts. Then the lead section would be substantially revised. For example, the importance of cash, covered in the lead section, could form a section in the article. --Quebec 18:04, 3 January 2017 (MST)

Low cost banking and chequing accounts are now covered. I still feel that the lead section needs revision.--Quebec 08:51, 4 January 2017 (MST)

I concur with Quebec's thoughts above. The content of the article is good, but there seems to be significant disconnect between the purpose as stated in the lead-in section and the article as a whole. Perhaps a rethink of the whole article (and related articles) is required. --Peculiar Investor 09:09, 7 January 2017 (MST)

I've revised the lead section, and transferred the paragraph about the importance of cash to a separate section. The goal of providing an overview to articles in the cash management sidebar has been reached. Also, the article is internally consistent (lead section versus the rest of the article). However, the idea of managing cash in the form of 20 dollar bills that are easy to spend but difficult to track is lost. I don't feel that managing paper money is a very important topic, most people use cards nowadays (and paying cash is more painful than using a credit card, it fells more “real”, so it can be a good thing), but nevertheless we could say something about frequent visits to the ATM somewhere.--Quebec 11:31, 7 January 2017 (MST)

Cash flow diagrams of the water engineering type

Possible informal cash flow diagrams, inspired in part by water engineering drawings. See and

Is this appropriate/helpful for the Cash management page? --Quebec 07:40, 7 January 2017 (MST)

I like the concept but I'm not sure the water engineering analogy will resonate with most readers as terms like "powerful pump" and "constricted passage" seem a bit preachy to me. Others may differ, this is just my personal opinion. I'm not even sure that cash flow is the correct terminology, to be that's more about investing, i.e. the Cash Flow Statement for a public company. The concept is the same, but I don't think people apply the concept to their personal finances. They probably should. --Peculiar Investor 09:02, 7 January 2017 (MST)

“I'm not sure the water engineering analogy will resonate with most readers” - probably not. I was using the water flow idea to try to move away as much as possible from formal cash flow diagrams, and make the concept of personal cash flow easy to understand. But I don't think we'll get to a figure that most editors like soon. In general, finiki needs more diagrams and colours, to make it visually more appealing, IMO. But drawing new figures takes time, and it is often difficult to reach a consensus about figures... --Quebec 09:34, 7 January 2017 (MST)

On behalf of finiki readers, you're efforts are much appreciated. Thank you I'm an engineer, so don't look to me for artistic skills. I'm usually good at recognizing what works and doesn't, but creating the content isn't my forte. The only caution on diagrams and colour is double-check what appears when using a mobile device. You can test on a desktop by clicking the "Mobile view" link in the footer of every page. If diagrams (and navigation aids) are critical to understanding the article, make sure there is enough textual context so the diagram isn't required for understanding. Did you see my comments in the topic above regarding the purpose of this article, if so let's continue that part of the discussion there. --Peculiar Investor 09:50, 7 January 2017 (MST)

I think the concept of a water flow is good, the engineering mechanics are not necessary. Perhaps this version can be a good compromise? Using the same "bath tub" in both diagrams allows a direct comparison to visualize the change in cash flow.

See: and .

I was unable to create the central transfer point (Chequing account) in LibreOffice Impress and modified Quebec's diagram instead. --LadyGeek 18:59, 8 January 2017 (CST)

You've removed the pump, but if there is no pump to get the water up into the bath, it will not flow up by itself... An P_I also dislikes the "constricted passage" (see above). Personally I don't mind being a bit "preachy", at a time when consumer debt is at a record high, and savings rates probably at a record low. But this can put off some readers. Maybe we don't need a diagram here...  :-) --Quebec 17:24, 9 January 2017 (MST)

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘I have just revised the Boglehead's blog with a possible image. See: Living below your means Would it be helpful here? --LadyGeek 20:36, 24 January 2017 (MST)

Yes but I'd like the green bar to stay the same on each diagram. I.e., making more money (for example by working more) is not necessarily the solution. Many people in the middle class, and all people with high incomes, already make enough money to be able to save regularly, if they want to. --Quebec 05:51, 25 January 2017 (MST)

You make a good point. How does this look? File:Positive-negative-cash-flow.png --LadyGeek 18:27, 25 January 2017 (MST)

Sold!--Quebec 05:28, 26 January 2017 (MST)