Amateur Invest - Content.
Click the underlined text that matches a topic to learn more about this program; Amateur Invest:
Introduction
A fast (and easy) start
The Main Window
The Menus
Graphics
Please note, that in many places in Amateur Invest, if you keep the mouse over a button or field, small explanations about their usage will be shown after a short period of time.
Amateur Invest is closely linked to the internet. Via the internet, you can receive new prices, information, and updates of this program. You can also read more about the author, see answers to frequently asked questions, and register the program.
Please visit the Amateur Invest Internet site.
If you have questions, there is a discussion forum, where the questions can be entered. And you can get further information here:
Frequently asked questions.
How-to guide
Amateur Invest - Introduction.
Amateur Invest is a program, that is made to be easy to use.
In it, you can enter bank accounts and transactions, for the purpose of tracking your bank statements and the interest prices the bank gives you.
You can also enter securities, prices and other information, for the purpose of tracking historic data.
Finally you can enter your own portfolio, for the purpose of tracking profit and loss.
All this you get with Amateur Invest. Plus you can view the above as well as much more information represented in graphics on the screen and reports on the screen or on paper printout.
Amateur Invest is not a complex or fancy program, that can do 1 thing in a 1000 ways - it is kept simple, so that you easily can get started and easily can keep track of your investments.
On these help pages, much useful information is given. Please do not hesitate to use the online help often. Help pages are often specifically made for the exact window you are looking at on the screen. Push the F1 key or the "Help" button, and specific help for each window is shown.
If you run into problems, you can find further help on the internet site here: www.amateur-invest.com/us_faq.htm.
A fast (and easy) start.
Below is written a simple introduction to using Amateur Invest. This is so that you quickly can get started with using the program.
1. The Bank section
A. You start by entering accounts.
B. You then enter transactions (transactions) for each account.
2. The investment section
A. You start by entering securities.
B. You then add prices and other info.
C. Finally you enter your portfolio data.
All the other parts of the program, like graphics, reports, and alarms, all rely on the above sections being set up correctly.
The Main Window.
In the main window (the one you first see, with the main menu) you can either select one of the speed buttons on the left side panel, you can quick select one of the alarms & watches, or you can select from the items in the menu visible in the top line of Amateur Invest.
The speed buttons can only be reached, if you use a mouse with your computer. If you do not have a mouse, you must use the menu instead.
Here are your options with the speed buttons:
1. Admin.
For changing user id & password, and for database maintenance.
2. Im- & Export
For importing data, eg. from the internet.
3. Transactions.
For entering transactions on bank accounts.
4. Accounts.
For creating bank accounts.
5. Portfolio.
For entering your own trades.
6. Securities.
For entering and finding data about individual securities.
7. Prices & Info.
Here you enter prices for securities, and other relevant information.
8. Hints & Ideas.
Here you can get general and specific hints & ideas about investing.
9. Graphics.
Is where you can track the performance of securities graphically.
10. Reports.
You can choose between several reports to be shown on paper or on screen.
11. Alarm / Watch.
Different ways to watch your accounts and investments.
- Please note:
That the alarms & watches window, visible in the main window, cannot be closed. Users of Amateur Invest that hasn't registered, could see advertisements in that window. If you do not wish to see advertisements - please consider registering.
The Menus.
The menus are just another way to accomplish some of the same tasks that you can do, by using the button icons in the main window.
The difference is, that you must use your mouse to access the button icons, whereas you can use both the mouse and the keyboard to access the menus.
The menu line is shown on the top line of the main window. It contains:
File
Administration
Import/Export
Printer
Exit
Banking
Accounts
Transactions
Budget
Currency
Bank Watch
Investing
Portfolio
Securities
Prices & Info
Hints & Ideas
Security Watch
Reports
System Info
Bank Info
Stock Info
Tools
Report Designer
Graph Designer
Window
Help
Content
Search
About
Administration tools.
With the administrative tools you can maintain the user ID and password, and you can delete old data, and update data from the databases.
The window shown, contains 3 pages. It's like the pages in a notebook. You select between the pages, by clicking the mouse on the top note tab with the name of the page. Let's look at the different options:
User preferences.
Here you can set up a couple of things that has consequence for how the rest of the program works.
Base database.
By default there are 2 databases you can use. The standard INV database in which you can store your own portfolio and bank accounts/transactions. Also Amateur Invest comes with a DEM (for demo) database, in which a fictitious portfolio and bank accounts/transactions have been entered. You switch between the databases by using this setting.
Next to the drop down list of selectable base databases, you'll can see a small button. Registered users can use this button to create new empty portfolio & bank databases. In these new databases, you can then manage other sets of portfolios and bank accounts. You are asked for a 3 letter code. Use any letters you like, that tell you something about the data you wish to enter. E.g. DEM is the default demo database, and INV is the default master database of Amateur Invest. You could e.g. write your initials. When the new database is created, you can select it as the base database as described above.
When you change database / portfolio, you'll be asked if you wish to work with the latest prices. If you choose yes to latest prices, the latest prices that has been downloaded will be used in the portfolio window and in the profit/loss calculation. If you choose no, the prices that were updated, when you updated that portfolio last, will be used. If you do not update prices for the choosen portfolio, the prices will remain untouched. - In that way, you can save the value of a portfolio at a given time.
Number of bank days.
This is the base number of days, that the banks at your location use to issue interest prices. The number can be 360 or 365.
Base conversion ratio.
Some countries use one measure for the stock prices, while they use another for buying and selling stock. E.g. in the UK, you use pennies for stock prices, but you buy and sell in pounds. To be able to see the performance of your portfolio, you can change this setting according to your location.
Base currency.
This setting is used to control, which currency is the "base currency" for Amateur Invest. This is useful if you buy securities in different countries and thus in different currencies. Your portfolio will then be valued correctly, by converting foreign currencies to the base currency.
Changing the base currency, forces a recalculation of all the currencies in the currency database - changing it repeatedly, may lead to rounding errors. For further details, please go to the currency menu.
Amateur Invest remembers the currency setting, when you do a full reload of data via the import/export window. The base currency is switched back, when the reload has completed.
Base language.
This setting can be used to switch between different languages within Amateur Invest. All messages and texts in the program are then shown in the language chosen. This setting is usually set to a correct default value for your location.
Timer interval / Timer alert.
These two settings, makes an automatic download of prices via internet possible.
This is useful, if you have an internet connection, that is open most of the time, since you will get notified, if a price comes within an interval that you choose by yourself.
By setting the timer interval to "manual", you must download prices, by pushing the button in the import/export window.
By setting the timer interval to e.g. 15 minutes, every 15th. minute prices will automatically be downloaded via the internet. By setting the timer alert to "window", a window will be shown together with a sound, if prices are found to be above or below the limits, that you yourself can set up. If you set the timer alert to "none", prices will still be downloaded and your portfolio updated, but no window will be shown, and no sound is generated.
Please note, that a setting of a 5 minute interval, requires both a fast internet connection and a fast PC, since there could be a lot of data for download and process.
Internet address A.
This is the internet address, that is used to download the latest prices, info, etc. It is default set to point to the correct place on an Amateur Invest internet site. If changes to this occur, you can swith to a new internet site here.
Internet address B.
These lines are alternative internet addresses, that are used for importing prices from other sites than the Amateur Invest site. If you double click on the line shown in this window, a larger window will be shown, that makes it easier to edit the lines. Also if you push the "U" next to the lines, the latest definitions will be updated via internet. This can be useful, if you encounter problems in downloading prices via the internet. At the moment the lines are set to (incl. a code <$!!!$>) point to Yahoo. The <$!!!$> codes are replaced with all the securities for each exchange in the definition file. In connection with the codes that can be entered in the definition of a stock (look for details in securities under "ID Import"), it is possible to import almost live prices continuously during the exchange opening hours. Not all prices however, can be loaded this way - therefore you should also download from the Amateur Invest internet home. Read more about finding and setting up the definition lines here.
Proxy setup.
Under the proxy setup, you can enter information, if you use a proxy connection. Most users that use common connections, do not need to enter any information into these fields. If, however, you cannot get a connection to the internet (to download prices) from within a company, it might be because a proxy name or address should be entered into the fields here. In such cases you should contact your PC-help department and get the proxy values. - In the 1st field you enter the proxy adress, 2nd field is proxy port, 3rd field is proxy username and 4th is proxy password.
Use sound in program.
If you check this setting, you'll hear speech and other sounds in some parts of the program. Uncheck this setting if you would like the program to be quiet.
Show Limits.
If you check this box, you'll be shown the window with limits, when you have imported information into the database.
Show SL/SP.
If you check this mark, you'll be shown the window with stop profit / stop loss, when you have imported prices into the database.
Show Advice.
If you check this mark, you'll be shown the window with advice, when you have imported information into the database. This function is not implemented yet.
User ID setup.
Here you can change the master user id and password. Enter a new, hard to break id and password. It should contain both letters and numbers. The user id and password must each contain a minimum of 6 characters.
You can also clear the user id and password by pushing the "clear" button. By clearing the 2, you willl not be prompted for user and password at startup of the program.
Removed from 2007 and later: In a table, there has been made room for more users. This will be developed in coming releases.
Database maintenance.
Here you can either update, delete or pack the databases.
With Update, you can change all prices. This is useful, eg. when a company changes it's stock size (splits), etc. Enter the conversion factors, and the prices will be converted. You'll have to update the number of stocks manually in your portfolio. More information about splits can be found at: www.amateur-invest.com/us_howto.htm.
With Delete, you can select either bank transactions or prices to be deleted. It is useful once in a while to clean out old data. Select all or a specific account or security - then select the date. All or a specific security name will then be deleted with the date range you choose.
With Pack, you finally remove deleted data from the databases. It is necessary for you to do this cleaning once in a while, when the databases gets too big.
Updating the program?
Registered users have the possibility to save their data, before a new version of Amateur Invest is installed. By pushing the button "Upd. save", it is possible to enter a 3 letter code. Then push the Ok button, and the current data is saved. Then exit the old version and install the new version of Amateur Invest, whereby you overwrite the old. Then start up the new version and push the button "Upd. load", enter the 3 letter code, and push the Ok button again. This will read all the original data, that you yourself have entered, back into the new version of Amateur Invest. Remember to repeat the steps for each "base database" you might have; first "Upd. Save" for each of them - then install the new version of Amateur Invest, and finally "Upd. Load" for each of the saved bases.
A bit technical.
Since Amateur Invest uses so called databases to store the information you enter, it is important that you take a backup on a regular basis.
Backup's can be used in cases where data are unreadable for the program. This can happen if the computer suddenly get an error and stops working while it was updating the databases, or if your hard disk has an error.
You then use the backup to restore your data to the state it was in before the computer error happened. It can save you many hours of work.
Therefore, it's a very good idea to use a backup program to backup your Amateur Invest data!
Error with connection.
If you receive an error while trying to download data via the internet, there could be a number of possible reasons.
Make sure your connection to the internet is working - eg. try to open your internet browser and go to the site www.amateur-invest.com.
If your computer is located behind a firewall, make sure Amateur Invest is allowed to pass through.
If your computer uses a proxy server, be sure to set the settings in the Amateur Invest "Admin." window - look under "Proxy setup".
Finding and setting up definitions.
So here's a bit more about finding, and setting up the internet download definition.
It might look a bit difficult, but there is more help to be found here (with picture examples) on the internet: www.amateur-invest.com/us_faq.htm
Updates can be necessary.
Updates to the definition file are bound to be necessary, and such updates and enhancements will be placed at the Amateur Invest internet site.
Examples.
All the examples below have been found on the internet site "Yahoo". But there might be other internet services that could be used.
Amateur Invest downloads Comma Separated Values (CSV). So in principle you can use any site that supplies prices in that format, and for which you can specify the input order, as described in the section "setting up" below.
Finding.
Yahoo has finance services for many countries. By going to these sites, you can select the finance section, and there search for securities. Usually you'll be able to find the securities you are looking for, and there it will also show the "code" that the prices are listed under.
You use that code to enter into the securities database, if you are located behind a firewall or use a proxy server. The connection could "time out". In that case, you should either open up for port 80 in your firewall or change the PROXY and PROXYPORT settings in the INV_SET.INI file - this can be done from the "Administrative settings", look under "Proxy server".
Other download errors can be encountered, for example if Yahoo change the import ID codes. You should in such cases visit the Amateur Invest internet home site. Information will be posted there.
Additional note.
Not all prices can, at the moment, be updated by the method described here. Therefore you should from time to time (eg. once a week) also download prices from the Amateur Invest internet home site also.
Download prices, setup example.
Here is another example of setting up the automatic download, this one is for the Australian company Qantas:
1. Create a security in the securities database.
2. In the field: "ID Import", a code from Yahoo has to be entered.
3. The code can be found in each "national" Yahoo, eg. in this example: www.yahoo.com.au
4. Go into the "finance" part of Yahoo. This actually brings you to: http://au.finance.yahoo.com/
5. From there you can do symbol lookups. Eg. a symbol lookup on Qantas, reveals the code: QAN.AX - So that code is entered into Amateur Invest.
If you do the same for eg. these securities, you'll be able to use the import facility for more Australian securities.
If you use the same technique, you can also do the same with all other national Yahoo's, like the US: www.yahoo.com, the UK: www.yahoo.co.uk, the Danish: www.yahoo.dk, and many more (look in the bottom of the main Yahoo opening screen for more national Yahoo's).
It might look a bit difficult, but there is more help to be found here (with picture examples) on the internet: www.amateur-invest.com/us_faq.htm
Bank transactions.
Here you enter the transactions made on each bank account.
First you need to set up one or more bank accounts. Once you have done that, you can begin to enter transactions.
Transactions are a number of deposits or withdrawals.
So the window will contain a listing of all the transactions that has been made to an account. The listing goes from the first transaction on to the last, where you can see the amount on your bank account.
By standard, the listing will be set to point at the latest transaction made.
Functions.
These functions apply to the bank transactions window:
Account Number
Select between the different accounts you have set up. The listings window changes, and show the transactions for each account, as you change the account number.
Mouse- and keyboard use.
General use of the mouse and keyboard can be found by clicking here.
Space key
In addition, in this windows, it is also possible to use the "Space key". When you point out a transaction in the list of transactions, and press the <space> key on the keyboard, the transaction will be "confirmed" by you, and a check mark will be shown next to it. This can help you keep track of your payments and incomes, if you eg. crosscheck with your visa bills, etc., and your bank statements.
Buttons.
These buttons apply in the bank transactions window:
Add
- You can add transactions. See editing.
Edit
- You can edit transactions. See editing.
Delete
- You can remove transactions, one or more at a time. If you wish to delete many transactions, you can also use the administration tools. To delete transactions from the listing, you must select them, using the standard windows key/mouse combinations. When transactions are being selected, a special marker will show up to the left in the listing.
Assign
- With this button, registered users can assign budget codes to transactions. This makes it easy for you to update many transactions and have them shown in different categories in the budget window. Please enter the budget categories in the budget window first.
Then when you push this button: 1) you are asked if you wish to assign it to all accounts. Select yes if you want the assignment done on all accounts. No means only the currently selected account will be updated. 2) you are shown a window, where you can enter the text you wish to assign a budget code to, and you can enter the budget code. E.g. you have many transactions with "Salary" as the descriptive text, and you have a budget code "Income". You can then link the text to the budget code with this assignment.
Filter
- Enter all or part of transactions to filter. You can use * at the end, to select all occurances of a special type. Eg. enter "credit card*" to filter all transactions that begin with the mentioned words. Please note that this is case sensitive.
Find
- Enter all or part of a transaction to find. You can use a * as in the above case. The find function is case insensitive. Set check mark to find from beginning or next.
Help
- This help page.
Close
- Exit the Bank transactions window.
Navigation buttons.
Under the item list, you'll see some navigation buttons, that look like the buttons on a tape recorder. Along with the scroll bar on the right hand of the item list, you can use the navigation buttons to position the item marker in the item list.
Printer Icon.
If you push the printer icon, a report with transactions for the selected account will be shown. The view is shown on screen, and from the view, you can select to have the report printed on paper.
Summation Ikon.
When you push this button, you can see your total fortune. This includes all your bank accounts, and all your securities. It is your net-worth amount if you could realize all your assets, right now.
Note.
Please notice, that once you have added, edited or deleted transactions, Amateur Invest will update the total column, by running through all the transactions and recalculating the totals.
Editing Bank transactions.
When you add or edit bank transactions, you get into a window, that works in the following manner.
Buttons.
You can use the <tabulator> key or the mouse to move between the different fields.These buttons apply:
Ok
- Accept the input and save the data from the fields you have changed.
Cancel
- Disregard any changes made. Do not add or edit any data.
Help
- This page here.
Keys.
Along with the usual keys to navigate within the window, you can also use the Up and Down arrow keys when you are in the "value date" field.
Fields.
The fields in the windows, have the following meanings:
Value Date
The date from which the bank calculates interest. In many countries, banks do not calculate interest from the day you have deposited money, but rather from the value date. The value date is usually 1 bank day after your deposit. So if you make a deposit on a Friday, the value date will be the following Monday. On the other hand, if you make a withdrawal, the value date is the same day. That's one of the ways bank make money.
Amount
The amount deposited or withdrawn. With a deposit, you just enter the amount. For a withdrawal, you must prefix the amount with a minus sign (-).
Text
In the text field, you can enter any text you like. This is usually used to explain what the money in the transaction was used for.
Checked
When you have checked the transaction against your bank statement, you can use this field. This can help you consolidate your accounts.
Budget code
The budget code is used, so that you can see your actual spending in comparison with your budget. The list presented, is coming from the definitions in the budget function. Please note, that in the bank transactions window, you can mass assign budget codes.
Credit Rate(s) / Debit Rate
Here the default values for the account will show up. If for some reason the interest rates have changed for just one transaction, you can enter other rates here. Mass assignment of interest rates can be done in the "Edit bank accounts" window.
Intervals.
Please note, that rates can be entered for intervals. Some times, banks gives you higher interests, the more money you have in your account. You can enter such intervals and rates in pairs. Example 1: Rate 1: 0.5%, Interval 1: 4999, Rate 2: 2%. This reads: from 0 to 4999, you get 0.5% in interest, and for anything more, you get 2% interest. Example 2: as example 1, but also: Interval 2: 9999, Rate 3: 4%. Now there's a third interval, so that from 5000 to 9999 you get 2%, and anything more you get 4%.
Rate changes.
Once in a while, banks change the interest rates. In order for the interest calculation to work, you should enter "dummy" transactions for the dates, where the banks change the rate. Eg. on the 25. May, the bank changes its rate from 0,25% to 0,50%. On all transactions up until the 25. May, your transactions have a rate of 0,25%, and even though you have no transactions for the 25. May, you enter a "dummy" transaction, with an amount of 0. For transactions after the 25. May, you enter the new rate of 0,5%. Remember to set the default rate for the account also!
After.
If you have chosen to add bank transactions, and you press either the <enter> key or the Ok button, you'll be asked if you wish to enter more transactions. <No> will bring you back to the bank transactions window. <Yes> will let you add more transactions, and the last transaction date will be remembered.
When bank transactions have been added or edited, all totals will be recalculated - this takes a moment.
Bank Accounts.
Here you can enter your different bank accounts.
You have to enter at least one bank account, before you can start to enter transactions. Bank accounts are the basis for transactions.
The Item List.
The item list show an overview of the different accounts you have entered. It shows, the account number. Who owns the account, and a name, you make up yourself.
Mouse- and keyboard use.
General use of the mouse and keyboard can be found by clicking here.
The Buttons.
These buttons apply in the bank accounts window:
Add
- Add a new bank account. See editing.
Edit
- Edit the currently selected bank account. See editing.
Delete
- Delete the currently selected bank account. Please note, that deleting a bank account doesn't automatically delete all transactions for that account. Therefore the correct procedure for deleting an account is: 1) go into Administration, select database maintenance, and delete all transactions for the account, 2) deleting the account from this window.
Help
- This help page.
Close
- Exit the bank accounts window.
You can move between the different account with the mouse, the up and down arrow keys or the tape recorder look-alike buttons on the bottom middle part of the window.
Editing Bank Accounts.
When you add or edit bank accounts, you get into a window, that works in the following manner.
Buttons.
You can use the <tabulator> key or the mouse to move between the different fields.These buttons apply:
Assign
- Registered users, can mass update interest rates to transactions. Enter the interest rates, and then you have the possibility to enter the date from which the interest rates will be set.
Ok
- Accept the input and save the data from the fields you have changed.
Cancel
- Disregard any changes made. Do not add or edit any data.
Help
- This page here.
Fields.
The fields in this window, have the following meanings:
Account number
Here you enter the number of your account. Each account usually have a unique number.
Alternative identifier
Here you enter any text identifier, you like. This can be the purpose of the account, like salary account or savings account. And you could prefix it, with the name of the bank in which the account is held.
Owner
Here you enter the initials of the owner of the account. This could be yourself, your wife/husband, etc.
Default debit/credit
You enter the default values for the interest rates you receive on the bank account. If you receive 2% in credit rate by the bank, you enter 2. If you receive 0.25%, then you enter 0.25. The same principle applies for loans. If the interest rate of a loan (debit rate) is 10%, you should enter 10.
- Intervals
Please note, that rates can be entered for intervals. Some times, banks gives you higher interests, the more money you have in your account. You can enter such intervals and rates in pairs. Example 1: Rate 1: 0.5%, Interval 1: 4999, Rate 2: 2%. This reads: from 0 to 4999, you get 0.5% in interest, and for anything more, you get 2% interest. Example 2: as example 1, but also: Interval 2: 9999, Rate 3: 4%. Now there's a third interval, so that from 5000 to 9999 you get 2%, and anything more you get 4%.
Budget.
In this window you can enter your own budget, and in the bank transactions section (look under editing bank transactions, and the field "budget code"), you can enter the different budget codes. This will make it possible for you to see if you actually follow your budget.
Please note, that you can also use the "Assign" button in the bank tranasctions window, to do mass assignments of budget codes to transactions.
The window
The window has three main parts; an income grid, an expense grid, and some buttons. The income grid and the expense grid are identical in function.
Income and expense areas.
I these areas you can enter numbers in the white fields. You should not enter a minus (-) in front of expenses. Amateur Invest automatically deducts expenses from income.
In the grey fields to the left, you can enter the budget descriptions. It is those descriptions, that are used to calculate the actual numbers, when the same descriptions are used, when you enter bank transactions.
By pressing the <Ctrl> and <Insert> keys at the same time, you can insert a new row. And by pressing the <Ctrl> and <Delete> keys at the same time, you can delete an entire row.
You move around the areas and fields in the normal way, by using the mouse, the arrow keys, the tab key, etc.
Keys.
In the income and expense grids, you can use the following keys:
Delete Delete the currently selected field.
F2 Edit the currently selected field.
F5 Copy the currently selected field to all fields to the right.
F9 Recalculate all fields and sums.
Ctrl Insert Insert a new row, pushing all other down.
Ctrl Delete Delete the current row, moving all other up.
Buttons.
The following buttons are available:
Printer:
This button makes it possible (for registered users) to get the budget printed. The result is first shown on screen. From there it is possible to print the budget on paper.
What to show:
Here you decide, which information is shown. Either the budget numbers (that you yourself enter) or the actual numbers (that gets calculated from the definitions you have set up at each bank transaction).
Year:
Here you choose, which year the budget and calculations are done for.
Calculate:
In certain cases you should use this button to recalculate the sums.
Help:
This help page.
Close:
Here you close the window and the various entered numbers are saved.
Currency.
Currencies makes it possible for you to have securities in different countries.
The currencies entered in this window are used when the profit/loss is calculated in the portfolio window.
Also exchange rates on currencies go up and down, just like prices does. So you have the possibility in this window, to see the historic currency rates.
Please note that the "base currency" can be set in the administrative settings. Changing the base currency, will however trigger a recalculation of all the currencies. Forcing a recalculation can often lead to rounding errors, resulting in slightly wrong currency values. So do not change the base currency often. Set it to your own preferred setting once.
Getting currencies automatically:
- Registered users can use the import/export window to currency rates updated automatically via the internet.
Item list:
The item list is placed in the center of the window, showing all the currency prices. On the right hand side of the item list, you can scroll through the items with the mouse.
Selector:
The small selector placed next to the item list, in the top left hand corner of the window, makes it possible for you to select which currency prices that are shown, either all or one currency. This also decides which information is shown on either a report or the graph, that you can have shown by using some of the other buttons.
Mouse- and keyboard use.
General use of the mouse and keyboard can be found by clicking here.
Buttons:
Buttons on the right side of the item list and the window, have these meanings:
Add
- Add one new currency price. See editing.
Edit
- Edit the currently selected item. See editing.
Delete
- Delete the currently selected item.
Currency
- Registered users can add new currency definitions, making it possible to use that currency as base or calculation currency. A three letter ISO currency code (Eg. USD) for the new currency must be entered.
Help
- This help page.
Close
- Exit the Currency window.
Icons.
Icons on the right side of the item list have these meanings:
Printer icon
- If you push the printer icon, a report with the selected currency will be shown. Please note, that the information is shown according to the state of the selector, mentioned above. The report is shown on screen, and from the window, you can select to have the report printed on paper.
Graphics icon
- Registered users can push the graphics icon. When you do that, a graph for the selected currency will be shown. The graph can only be shown for a specific currency and not "all". The graph shows how the currency price has moved over time.
Editing a currency.
You use this window, when you add or edit currencies.
1) You choose the currency by using the "drop down" list.
2) You enter the date.
3) You enter the currency price.
Please note that the currency price entered must be for 100 of the foreign currency. Amateur Invest will automatically convert the prices, when it calculates profit/loss for the portfolio.
Ex. 1: if the base currency is USD (US Dollars), the GBP (British Pounds) price can be 140. This means that you'll have to pay 140 USD in order to get 100 GBP.
Ex. 2: if the base currency is USD (US Dollars), the EUR (EURO) price can be 125. This means that you'll have to pay 125 USD in order to get 100 EUR.
Portfolio.
Here you enter your own investments.
Securities can be selected from the ones that have been entered into the securities register / window.
The portfolio data window consist of an item list, and some buttons.
Just above the item list, you can see which portfolio you are currently using. You can have as many portfolios as you like, and you can switch between them in the admin. window.
The item list.
The item list show a list of your securities - that is called your portfolio. Some basic information is shown, like the name, the type of investment, the number of securities, the price you gave, the latest price, if the latest price has gone up or down, and a calculation of your profit or loss for each investment.
The profit/loss calculation takes differences in currency exchange rates into consideration. That is, if you have investments in a foreign country, the profit/loss will be shown in your own "base currency". Please read more about setting a base currency, and about entering currency prices.
The profit/loss calculation for each investment also takes earnings and costs into account. You can adjust those values in the "Edit" window.
At the rightmost area of the item list, you can see an arrow marker. That marker will indicate if the price has gone up (up green arrow), gone down (down red arrow), or stayed the same (blue vertical arrow), since the last time prices were downloaded.
The summation at the bottom of the item list shows (from left to right):
1) the raw price you have paid (no costs are included),
2) the raw value with the latest prices (no earnings are included),
3) the calculated profit/loss (including costs and earnings),
4) the raw profit/loss (excluding costs and earnings), and
5) the raw profit/loss percentage.
By default, all live (active investments) are show in the item list. You can switch to other types of investments by using the drop down list in the top right hand corner.
If you click the right mouse button on a security in the item list, a popup menu will appear with some choices: 1) Select All - selects all visible items in the item list, makes it possible to eg. mass delete items. 2) Edit - Edit the currently selected portfolio item. 3) Delete - Deletes the currently selected items. 4) Goto Internet site - Starts internet browser, and goes to selected company's internet site. On the company's internet site, you can typically read about the latest accounts, as well as it's investor policies.
Choice list.
You can choose between having; active investments, sold investments, active pensions, sold pensions, or test security deals shown in the item list. Furthermore you can use the "Filter" button to filter items in the portfolio - for eg. tax purposes.
Information panel.
Under the choice list and just above the buttons, an information panel is shown. This panel works in combination with the finance calendar. If there is information in the finance calendar about the chosen security, the date and information will be shown in the panel. This only works in the registered version.
Mouse- and keyboard use.
General use of the mouse and keyboard can be found by clicking here.
Buttons.
These buttons are available:
Add (Buy)
- Add a new investment to your portfolio. See editing.
Sell
- You can sell all or part of your investment. See sell.
Edit
- Edit the currently selected investment. See editing.
Delete
- Delete the currently selected investment/investments. You can select multiple investments at once, to be deleted. Please make sure that a special selection marker is shown in the left side of the grid.
Filter
- Show only some of the investments, according to selection. See Filter.
Export
- Registered users can export the portfolio to a file. This is useful, if you wish to use the data in eg. a spreadsheet for tax purposes. The exported items adhere to the filter and current selection made.
Help
- This help page.
Close
- Exit the Portfolio Data window.
Navigation buttons.
Under the item list, you'll see some navigation buttons, that look like the buttons on a tape recorder. Along with the scroll bar on the right hand of the item list, you can use the navigation buttons to position the item marker in the item list.
Printer Icon.
If you push the printer icon, a report with all the portfolio information will be shown. The report is shown according to the choice you have made in the choice list; Live, Test or Sold securities. The report is shown on screen, and from there, you can select to have the report printed on paper. If you wish to see all trades at once, you can use the reports menu: portfolio.
Calculator Ikon.
If you push the calculator icon (picture), you can do a simple "what-if" analysis on the currently selected security from your portfolio. See more under "simple what-if calculation" or "extended what-if calculations".
Registered users can select multiple lines in the item list (by holding down the <Ctrl> key, and using the mouse), and then use this button to get some summations for the selected securities. You get the total number of securities, and the average buy price. This information can be used to see, when you reach a break even price for several investments in the same security. The summation only makes sense, if you over time, several times have bought shares in the same security - you can then select those securities, and get the average buy price.
Summation Ikon.
When you push this button, you can see your total fortune. This includes all your bank accounts, and all your securities. It is your net-worth amount if you could realize all your assets, right now.
Portfolio part Ikon.
Registered users) can use this button to get a window, where it is shown, how much each investment in the portfolio, weigh. This is an advantage, if you only want individual trades/securities taking up a certain percentage of your total portfolio. You get a "pie" or "bar" chart that shows an overview of the investments. The percentage shown is calculated from the latest prices including currency rates. In the portfolio parts window, you can switch between the 2 types of diagrams.
Simple "What-if" calculation.
In the window in which you see your portfolio, you have a choice to select one of the securities from your portfolio.
A new window is shown, and in it, you can enter an imaginary price, and have the value of the security calculated, as if the security had the price you entered.
You simply enter the price in the window that pops up, press the "calculate" button, and the value will then be shown, together with a calculated profit/loss value.
If the currently selected security from the portfolio, is traded in a foreign currency, the price entered should be the price in the local currency. Another field will become visible, at in that field, the currency exchange rate can be entered. If there are known currency rates for the country, the latest rate will be shown in the field. The profit/loss calculation will then automatically show the result in you own base currency.
This simple "what-if" calculation can be accompanied by the extended "what-if" calculation, that is a part of the "Alarms & Watches" section of Amateur Invest. See more about extended "What-if" here.
Sell.
In this window, you can record the selling of all or part of an investment.
Before recording the sale from this window, please make sure that the fields "Costs" and "Earnings" are set correctly in the portfolio edit window.
FIFO.
Please note, that if you have bought the same kind of securities (on different dates), it is usually a rule, that you should sell the securities you bought first. This principle is called FIFO - First In First Out.
Amateur Invest checks if the securities you wish to sell are the first of its kind. If it's not, you'll see a warning. You can choose to bypass this warning, if you like.
Example of sale.
Say you at one time has bought 75 stocks in a company. Now some time later, you sell 25 of them, or all 75 of them. You use this window to enter the amount of stock you sold, at what price, and at what time.
If you sell all of the stocks (eg. 75 in the example above), that investment will no longer be part of your active portfolio. They will show in the "sold" portfolio, until you delete them.
If you only sell a part of the stocks (eg. 25 in the example above), then the remaining part (50) will be in your active portfolio, and the other (25) will show in the "sold" portfolio, until you delete them.
This makes it possible for you to keep records for eg. tax purposes, and reports can show either active, test or sold portfolios, when you print from the portfolio window.
Fields.
These fields should be used:
Amount
The number of securities you have sold. (Please note that in case of "short selling" the amount should be negative).
Price
The price at which you sold the securities.
Currency rate
If you have bought securities from another country, you can enter the currency exchange rate in this field. The exchange rate is quoted for 100 of the countries currency. Example: You live in the us, and buy shares in an European company - the exhcange rate for 100 EUR (Euro) is 125 USD. So you enter 125. Or you buy shares in a Canadian company - the exchange rate for 100 CAD (Canadian dollar) is 80 USD, so you write 80. Look in the "Bank" menu and start the "Currency" window to see exchange rates from different countries.
Date
The date for the sale.
Buy cost / Sell cost
The costs that you had to pay eg. your broker for the transaction.
Account
If you specify an account, then a transaction with the amount will be created.
Buttons.
You can use these buttons:
Help
- This help page.
Cancel
- Disregard any changes made. Do record any sale.
OK
- Accept the input and save the data from the fields you have entered. The deal will be recorded.
Editing Portfolio Data.
The window for entering new or editing existing portfolio data, contains these fields and buttons:
Buttons.
You can use the <tabulator> key or the mouse to move between the different fields.
These buttons apply:
Printer icon
A small printer speed button on the button left side, makes it possible for you to print out the content of the window.
Help
- This help page.
Cancel
- Disregard any changes made. Do not add or edit any data.
OK
- Accept the input and save the data from the fields you have changed.
Keys.
Along with the usual keys to navigate within the window, you can also use the Up and Down arrow keys when you are in the "date bought" field.
Fields.
These fields makes it possible to enter different kinds of information about the security in your portfolio:
Name:
The security name. Please note, that the list comes from the list of securities that has been created in the securities window. So first you create a security in the security window, then you'll be able to add it to your portfolio.
Live deal:
This can be used to check weather this is a live deal or just a test deal. If you have the nerves, you can enter test deals, and follow their progress.
Date bought:
The exact date you bought the shares.
Amount bought:
The number of shares you bought. It is possible to enter a positive number or a negative number (in case of "short selling").
At price:
The price you paid per share. (In local currency)*.
Exchange rate:
If you have bought securities from another country, you can enter the currency exchange rate in this field. The exchange rate is quoted for 100 of the countries currency. Example: You live in the us, and buy shares in an European company - the exhcange rate for 100 EUR (Euro) is 125 USD. So you enter 125. Or you buy shares in a Canadian company - the exchange rate for 100 CAD (Canadian dollar) is 80 USD, so you write 80. Look in the "Bank" menu and start the "Currency" window to see exchange rates from different countries.
Costs:
The price you paid for the transaction (buy/sell), eg. broker/bank fee, commissions, etc. Put in the total figure in this field. - It will be deducted from the security value, since it is an expense that has to be calculated into your winnings/loses. (In base currency)*. Before a final sale of the securities, you can add the selling costs to this field, so that these costs are calculated into the summation of sold securities.
Earnings:
This is where you put everything you earn on the security, eg. dividend. Put in the total figure in this field, and update it each time you get a positive result from your investment. - It will be added to the security value, since it is income, that has to be calculated into your winnings/loses. (In base currency)*. Before a final sale of the securities, you can set this field to 0, so that the earnings isn't calculated into the summation of sold securities.
Investment type:
Is this for pension savings or is it an ordinary speculative investment.
Alternate type:
Here you can select alternate investment types. This is so that you can calculate if the investment was better or worse than an alternate investment. Eg. you could have placed the money in the bank to 2% interest rate, so you enter "rate" in this field.
Alternate amount:
This relates to the alternate type above. In the example given there, you would enter 2 in this field, for 2%.
Owner:
Who owns the security.
Investment ID:
Here you can enter your own identification of a trade. This make it possible to follow trades that are linked to eachother and to have a link to your paper trading bill.
Stop loss:
Here you enter the price, at which you will like to stop your loss. Eg. you have bought some shares at 200, and decide that you do not want to loose more than 50. So you enter 150 in this field. In the stop loss/profit window, you'll get an alarm if the price drops to 150 - and at that point you should review your investment - do you still want to keep the shares or should you sell them to minimize your loses.
Stop profit:
Here you enter the price, at which you will like to stop your profit. This is the reverse of stop loss. Eg. here you set a price of 250 (because you wish to earn at least 50). Again in the stop loss/profit window, you'll get an alarm if the price goes up to 250 - and you should review your investment - do you think the price will continue to go up, or has it reached it's peak.
Account
If you specify an account, then a transaction with the amount will be created.
Note:
Please notice, that you are not allowed to enter a stop loss setting, that is higher than the stop profit setting. That wouldn't make any sense.
The same is true for a stop loss setting that is higher or equal to the price you paid, and/or a stop profit setting that is lower or equal to the price you paid.
Always set a stop loss price that is lower than what you have paid, and a stop profit price that is higher than what you have paid.
*Currency remarks:
Amateur Invest can calculate profit/loss in a "base currency" even if you have bought securities in foreign companies. In order for this to work, you must enter the price at which you have bought securities, in the local currency. On the other hand, all expenses and transaction costs, you must enter in your own base currency.
Ex.: I live in the US and buy stocks in a British company. The prices is 10 GBP pr. share. I therefore write 10 in the price field. The transaction cost is 20 USD, so I write that (20) in the field for transactions costs. Finally, after some time, a dividend for 150 USD is paid, so the 150 is entered into the transaction amount field. Amateur Invest will calculate profit/loss by looking at the original price times the original currency rate and from that deduct the original price times the latest currency rate.
Securities.
Here you add and find the basic data for securities. Securities can be stock/shares, mutual investment companies, options and bonds. The settings here makes it possible to download prices automatically. This includes the company name / equity name, the stock size, what the company does, and key financial information.
This is the base, and starting point of Amateur Invest. You have to enter the basic data, before other parts of the program makes any sense.
It is as easy as 1-2-3:
1: Enter a name.
2: Enter an import id code. Read more here.
3: You can have prices updated automatically and add the security to your portfolio if you wish.
NB: In the Import/Export window and in the Import check window, you can also import more predefined securities. See also: setup securities online demo and find import id's.
The security data window consist of an item list, and some buttons.
The item list.
The item list shows the list of securities that have been created. Some basic information is shown, like the name, the business category, the native country (and thus exchange) the security originates from, the stock size, the latest price and date, and finally an arrow marker..
At the leftmost area of the item list, you'll see a marker. If the security is on your observation list (special interest) it will have a !, next to it. If the security is in your portfolio, it will have a P, next to it.
At the rightmost area of the item list, you can see an arrow marker. That marker will indicate if the price has gone up (up green arrow), gone down (down red arrow), or stayed the same (blue vertical arrow), since the last time prices were downloaded.
If you click on the headline above the list, for Name, Category or Country, you can change the sort order. One click on a headline will make that into the current selected ascending sort order in, one click more on the same headline, will change to descending sort order. The sort order you choose will be remembered, so the next time you enter the securities window, you'll see the data in the choosen sort order.
If you click on a security with the right mouse button, a pop-up menu will give you some extra choises: 1) Choose all - Selects all the visible elements in the list, after a filter has been set. This makes it possible to easily delete securities from a specific country. 2) Edit - edit the choosen security. 3) Delete - deletes the selected elements. 4) Go to internet site - Starts an internet browser and goes to the company internet site, where you usually can see investor relations information and the latest accounts.
Information panel.
Under the choise list and just above all the buttons, an information panel is shown. This panel works together with the finance calender. If there is information in the finance calender about the choosen security, for registred users, the date and the information will be shown in the panel.
Mouse- and keyboard use.
General use of the mouse and keyboard can be found by clicking here.
Buttons.
These buttons apply in the securities window:
Filter:
You can select to only view some countries. Choose the country to view. This can also be used if you wish to delete unwanted countries: 1) Choose a country, 2) Right mouse click on the list, 3) Choose "Select all", 4) Push the delete button, 5) Answer "Yes" to have associated prices deleted.
Sort:
Besides clicking on the headline area of the list, you can use this function to change the sort order. A + means ascending order, and a - means descending order.
Add
- Add a new security. See editing.
Edit
- Edit the currently selected security. See editing.
Delete
- Delete the currently selected security. It is possible to select multiple securities at once. This is done by using the normal windows key/mouse combinations. Be sure, that the item is selected (shown by a special marker in the left side of the grid). You are asked if you wish to delete all the prices that might have been entered for the security. You can also go to administrative tools, and from there delete all the prices, and then go here and remove the security. The process will also be stopped, if a security is found to be in your portfolio.
Find
- Enter all or part of a name to find. You can use a * at the end to find matching names. The find function is case insensitive. Set check mark to find from beginning or next.
Help
- This help page.
Close
- Exit the window.
Navigation buttons.
Under the item list, you'll see some navigation buttons, that look like the buttons on a tape recorder. Along with the scroll bar on the right hand of the item list, you can use the navigation buttons to position the item marker in the item list.
Printer Icon.
If you push the printer icon, a report with all the information will be shown. The view is shown on screen, and from the view, you can select to have the report printed on paper.
More information.
More information about setting up securities can be found on the internet site. Here you can find information about the codes needed to do automatic download of prices ( www.amateur-invest.com/us_faq.htm
) as well as information about how to do stock splits ( www.amateur-invest.com/us_howto.htm
), and much more.
Editing Security Data.
The window for entering new or editing existing data, contains these fields and buttons - please note that the important ones are the "Name" and "Import ID" fields:
It is as easy as 1-2-3:
1: Enter a name.
2: Enter an import id code. Read more here.
3. Check the country and currency settings.
See further below for more information about the import id code.
Buttons.
You can use the <tabulator> key or the mouse to move between the different fields.These buttons apply in the add/edit window:
Printer icon
A small printer speed button on the button left side, makes it possible for you to print out the content of the window.
Help
- This help page.
Cancel
- Aborts any changes made to the current security.
OK
- Accepts the data for the security.
Fields.
These fields makes it possible to enter different kinds of information about the securities:
Name:
The name of the security; share, bond, etc. The name must be unique within the first 10 letters - that means for example that safeinvest xxx and safeinvest yyy would create an error (since the first 10 letters are the same) - in that case you could use abbreviations instead - safeinv xxx and safeinv yyy. Also the name cannot contain an apostrophe ( ' ).
Internet Address:
Although there is no header for this field, there is room to enter a WWW internet address (that becomes blue). By double clicking on the name, your internet browser will be loaded, and you will be pointed to the company home page. Usually a company home page contain the latest financial news, and can give you an idea about the company products. You can use that in the security listing window, where you can right click on a security, and select "Go to" from the menu that appears.
Special interest:
A check mark in this field indicates if a special marker (!) is shown next to the security in the security listing. It might also be used in other places so that you can select only the securities in which you have special interest.
Category:
The business sector the company operates in.
Risk:
An assessment of the risk of the security.
Prefer:
Grouping the securities in different groups, makes it possible to control how prices can be entered. See Prices & Info, Group Add.
Size:
The stock size, telling the amount of the company that one share in the company represents.
Country:
The main country of business, and usually where the security is also registered to an exchange.
Currency:
The currency that all amounts about the security is dealt in.
Last meeting:
The date of the last shareholders meeting.
Last dividend:
How much was paid to shareholders for each share.
Price/Earning:
A calculation of the latest price, divided by the latest reported earnings of the company. One of four key values.
Earnings pr. share:
Popular key value, showing how good the company is at making value for their share holders.
Price/Internal value:
A calculation of the latest price, divided by the assets of the company. If this number is 1, the price is equal to the internal value of the company. A number higher than 1, tells us that the stock market estimates, that the company has hidden values, a future growth potential and/or a strong leadership.
Beta:
A key value, that shows, how much the stock rise or fall compared to the general index. A number of 1 shows that the stock rise and fall by the exact same points as the overall index. A number of 1.5 show that a rise or fall by 1 in the general index will mean a rise or fall by 1.5 in the company stock value. A number of 0.5 shows that a rise or fall by 1 in the general index will mean a rise or fall by 0.5 in the company stock value. So this is an indicator of the company stock volatility.
ID exchange:
An alternative security identifier. This could be a security exchange number.
ID import:
A security identifier. This could be an ID that is used when downloading from other sources than the Amateur Invest site. The ID is currently set to the ones used by Yahoo. The ID can be found on different national Yahoo sites, where you under the finance section can seek out security names and find their ID. For example Microsoft can be found on the US site as MSFT, and Carlsberg can be found on the Danish Yahoo site with the ID: CARL-B.CO - where .CO stands for Copenhagen. Similar ID's can be found for most securities, in the countries where the securities belong. Another example is given here. Please also see setting up a definition and administrative setup.
Information:
This is a free text field, in which you can enter information of your own choice. Usually it is filled with information about the security; which business(es) it is in, what the products are, whom the leadership is, and who owns the most securities, etc.
Prices & Info.
Here you enter prices for different securities on different dates. Or you can enter information about securities on specific dates.
The prices part gives you the possibility to see trends over time. The information part might be used to explain sudden rises or falls in prices.
Item list:
The item list is placed in the center of the window, showing all the prices or information, according to the filter that is set. On the right hand side of the item list, you can scroll through the items with the mouse.
Selector:
The small selector to the left of the item list, in the top left hand corner of the window, makes it possible for you to select if prices or information is to be shown in the item list.
Mouse- and keyboard use.
General use of the mouse and keyboard can be found by clicking here.
Buttons:
Buttons on the right side of the item list and the window, have these meanings:
Add
- Add one new price or information item. See editing.
Edit
- Edit the currently selected item. See editing.
Delete
- Delete the currently selected item.
Group Add
- Adds several prices according to selection. See Group Add.
Filter
- Show only a portion of the items, according to selection. See Filter.
Help
- This help page.
Close
- Exit the Price & Info window.
Icons.
Icons on the left side of the item list have these meanings:
i - info icon
- Gives a status over the number of items in the database.
Printer icon
- If you push the printer icon, a report with the selected information will be shown. Please note, that the information is shown according to the state of the selector, and the current filter setting. The report is shown on screen, and from the window, you can select to have the report printed on paper.
Navigation Buttons.
Buttons on the bottom of the window, works like the buttons on a tape recorder. That is, you can move forward and backward, or go directly to the top or the bottom of the item list.
Editing Prices & Info.
Appending or editing prices and info is almost identical, so they are explained together here.
For both of them, you first select the security name, that the price or the information relates to. And you select the date for the price or the information.
The last field depends on the type:
Editing Prices:
In the last field you enter the price for the particular security and date. You can enter the number with decimal points, etc.
If the date is older than or equal to the date for which prices were last updated, and the security is in your portfolio, then the portfolio value will be updated.
Editing Information:
In the last field you enter the information for the particular security and date.
This is used to explain ups and downs in prices for the security. The information is shown as a blue marker in the graphics window.
Buttons:
You can use the <tabulator> key or the mouse to move between the different fields
These buttons apply:
Help
- This page here.
Cancel
- Disregard any changes made. Do not add or edit any data.
Ok
- Accept the input and save the data from the fields you have changed.
Group Add.
The group add function let you add several prices at one time. This makes it easier for you to update prices for securities on a particular day.
How to.
You first pick the date for which you wish to enter the prices.
You then select the group identifier for the securities, that you wish to enter prices for. The group identifier is the number you enter, when you create securities.
Or you choose the country/exchange, that you wish to enter prices for. Again, this matches what has been entered when a security was created (see above).
It should be mentioned, that the two settings: group identifier and country/exchange, complement each other. You can for example choose a group, where no securities has been entered, and then choose a country/exchange. Then only the securities that belong to the given country/exchange will be shown. You can also choose a group, where there are securities, and then a country/exchange. Then both the securities that belong to the group and the country/exchange will be shown.
Finally you push the Add button, and all the securities, that match your group selection or country/exchange will be added to an item list on the left side of the window.
You can then enter all the prices for that day, and when you are done, you can push the OK button, and all prices are entered into the Prices & Info database, and your portfolio values are updated if applicable.
Mouse- and keyboard use.
General use of the mouse and keyboard can be found by clicking here.
Buttons:
These buttons are in the group add window:
Add
- After you have entered the date and the group identifier and/or the country/exchange, you push the add button, and all the selected securities will be added to the item list.
Help
- This help page.
Cancel
- Aborts the group add function. No data is added.
OK
- Updates the prices with the items found on the item list.
Item list
Once you have selected the date and the group identifier and/or the country/exchange, and pushed the Add button, a list of securities are shown in an item list.
The item list is where you enter the prices for all the securities shown.
You simply type in the prices in the appropriate area, and use the up and down arrows on the keyboard to move up and down between securities.
If a security is in the item list, and you do not want it there, you can push the <Ctrl> and the <Delete> buttons (at the same time), and the security will be removed from the item list.
Hints & Ideas.
The hints & ideas database is used to store different investment strategies, etc.
In a central place, you can add good ideas and hints, that you could use, when you invest your money.
On the main hints & Ideas screen, you see an item list of the different hints & ideas. And you see some buttons.
Item list:
The item list has a type column and a keyword column.
The type column, is used to group the different hints and ideas together. This could be types like "Strategy" hints, "Rules", etc.
The keyword column, show a brief headline, that describes the actual hint or idea.
Mouse- and keyboard use.
General use of the mouse and keyboard can be found by clicking here.
Buttons:
You also have these buttons available:
Add
- Adds another hint & Idea to the database. See Editing, for more information.
Edit
- Edits the current hint & idea. The same can be achieved by double clicking on an entry in the list. See Editing, for more information.
Delete
- Deletes the currently selected hint & idea item.
Navigation buttons.
Under the item list, you'll see some navigation buttons, that look like the buttons on a tape recorder. Along with the scroll bar on the right hand of the item list, you can use the navigation buttons to position the item marker in the item list.
Printer Icon.
If you push the printer icon, a report with all the hints & ideas will be shown. The view is shown on screen, and from the view, you can select to have the report printed on paper.
Editing Hints & Ideas.
The editing window:
If you add or edit an entry, you get into a screen, where you can enter a type category, and keywords, as mentioned in the Hints & Ideas section.
Then you can add the actual hint & idea text, in the free text area, that is shown on the screen.
Graphics.
On this graphics page, you can see how the individual securities have performed over time. And you can get information that might explain rise and falls in prices.
The chart window; the x- and y axis.
On one axis you'll see the prices and on the other axis you'll see the different dates. The actual prices are shown as red dots, and they correspond to the input that has been made in Prices & Info. The dots are connected with lines to show trends between the actual prices.
This makes it possible for you to see the variations over time, and perhaps pick the right time to either buy or sell.
If you keep the mouse positioned over one of the red dots, it will turn into a pointing hand. By clicking the mouse button over such a spot, the actual price will be shown.
The chart window; additional information.
On the bottom part of the screen (the date axis) there might be shown a blue pointer. This is an indicator, that information for that specific security exist for a given date. If you move (with the mouse) to the blue pointer, the arrow on the screen will change to a pointing hand. Clicking the mouse will bring up the detailed information about the security. This might explain sudden changes in prices.
The chart window; zoom with left mouse button.
You can also select a certain part of the prices and dates (zoom) by moving the mouse to a location, push the left mouse button and while holding the button down, move to another place. This will create a square, and when you release the mouse button, the graphics area will be zoomed to the selected prices and dates.
By pressing the "unzoom" button on the screen, all prices and dates are shown for the security again.
The chart window; move with right mouse button.
In the chart part of the window, you can also move the axis around. This is done by holding down the right mouse button, while moving the mouse. You'll then see the chart move within the chart window.
Selecting between securities.
You can select between securities to be shown, in the upper right hand corner - simply choose from the drop down list by clicking on its right side, and choose by clicking on the name, or you can use the navigation buttons located just under the drop down list. They work just like the buttons on a tape recorder.
Buttons:
Aside from the Help and Close buttons (which should be self explanatory), these buttons appear in the window:
Unzoom
Resets the chart to its original coordinates (in case you have moved the chart or selected a part of the chart to be shown).
Setup (graph icon)
A small window is shown. Here you can specify a starting date. Information in the graphics window will the be shown starting from the date you specify. - The other information will still be available by scrolling the chart window with the mouse, as mentioned above. The date you set, will be remembered, until you clear it.
Diskette icon
If you click this icon, you can save content of the graphics window to a bitmap file. You can then import it into many other programs, eg. for reports, presentations, etc.
Printer icon
Prints the window to your default windows printer.
Reports.
The reports section, is a way for you to get data out of the program again. Often it provides a better view of the data, than just the raw data, that you have entered.
You can choose between the following reports:
Bank Portfolio
Inv. Portfolio
Security Data
Prices & Info
Hints & Ideas
User defined
You can either print the report directly to a printer, or you can view the report on screen first.
Design button.
The design button, can be used to design user defined reports. Please see the tools menu item for more about designing user defined reports.
Viewing on screen.
Each report work in the same way, just showing different kinds of information.
You can use the mouse or the keyboard to scroll between the different pages. You can select to print the report to a printer or save the report to a file. By saving the report to a file, you have the possibility to reload it at a later time, and compare numbers to more recent ones.
Choose your own logo.
Registered users has the possibility to have their own logo shown in reports. You accomplish this by making a bitmap (BMP) file in your favorite drawing program, and placing it in the directory, where the Amateur Invest main program file (invest.exe) is placed. There is room on each report for a 50x100 logo. The file has to have the name: INV_LOGO.BMP
Report: Bank portfolio.
This report show all the bank accounts, and for each account is shown all the transactions, and the sums, that those transactions result in.
Reports: Portfolio.
This report show you information about your portfolio. Dates and amounts, together with the latest known value of your portfolio.
Please note, that all deals; Live, Test and Sold, are shown in this report. If you wish to see them separately, you have to go to the portfolio window, and push the printer icon from there. This will bring up a report with only the chosen items.
At the bottom of the report, totals are shown. The totals are calculated from the latest prices, so that you can see, how much all together you have paid for your securities, and how much they are worth after the latest price update. Finally the sum for profit/loss is shown also. In all these calculations, differences in currencies are taken into account - all the totals are calculated in the base currency, you have selected in the Administration window.
Reports: Security data.
The security data report shows all the basic security data, along with the various financial information about the security. If there is any other general information entered in free text format about the security, that will also be shown.
Reports: Prices & Info.
This report shows a listing of both prices & information.
You can select to show prices & info for all securities or prices & information that falls within certain dates and/or a specific security name.
Reports: Hints & Ideas.
This report lists the different Hints & Ideas that have been entered.
Reports: User defined.
User defined reports, are reports made with a tool for report design.
If there are any user defined reports, they will be available in the drop down list shown below this radio button in the report window. You just select this radio button and choose the report you wish to see.
Alarm / Watches.
The alarms / watches pages is where you see, how your investments are doing.
In the window that is placed within the main window of Amateur Invest, you can also select between the alarms. And a scrolling stock ticker is shown - it can be turned on/off from the Admin. window. Each time new prices are downloaded, the stock ticker is updated. A + next to the price means the price has gone up since last, and a - down. By changing the size of the Amateur Invest window, you can have the stock ticker shown on screen all the time, while you are running other programs.
If you wish to have a scrolling stock ticker on the screen, you can minimize the Amateur Invest window, so that it just shows the scrolling prices. If you also set Amateur Invest to retrieve prices with a given interval, you be able to continually see the prices, while you are doing other things on your computer.
These are the ways to watch your investments and bank accounts:
Bank Accounts.
Cash Flow
Interest Prices
Net Worth
Investments.
Investment Advisor
Technical Analysis
Stop Loss / Profit
Compare to other
Compare many
Finance calendar
Top 10
Hi's & Lo's
What-if?
Limits
Advice
You simply select the category of watch or alarm, that you wish to have displayed, and push the OK button.
Interest Rates.
On the bank interest rates page, you can calculate the interest that you should receive and pay for your bank accounts.
You select the account, then the dates, for which the interest is to be calculated. This could for example be from January 1st. in one year, until January 1st. in the next year. That'll give you the interest rates for that particular year.
Then you choose to either get the result direct on the interest page, or you may wish to view the result in report format, with all the transactions, and individual interest rates.
Please note, that in order for the calculations to work correctly, the amounts, interest rates and intervals have to have been entered according to the rules explained in adding/editing transactions.
Buttons.
These buttons apply in the interest rates window:
Go
- Calculate the interest for the account entered and the dates selected. The result is shown d