Cash flow

Cash flow answers a simple but essential question: at the end of the month, do you have money left, or have you spent more than you earned? This chart compares your income and expenses month by month. This page teaches you how to read it and make decisions based on it.

Income and expenses

The chart distinguishes two movements for each month: what comes in and what goes out. The difference between the two is your monthly balance. A healthily positive cash flow means you are setting money aside; a negative cash flow means you are dipping into your reserves.

Why track your cash flow

A high net balance can mask a negative cash flow: you are living off savings that are slowly depleting. Conversely, a small balance but a positive cash flow each month is a sign of good financial health. Cash flow reveals this dynamic, which the balance alone does not show.

Reading the chart over several months

By displaying several months, you can spot patterns: months with high expenses (back-to-school, holidays, vacations), months with exceptional income, and the seasonality of your budget. Use the period selector at the top of the dashboard to widen or narrow the window.

When cash flow surprises you

A month may seem unusual: a transfer between your own accounts, a large refund, or an exceptional expense can inflate a bar. Check your transactions for the month in question to understand the discrepancy before drawing a conclusion.

Maintaining a positive cash flow

Improving your cash flow doesn’t mean depriving yourself. It often starts by identifying the category that is spiraling out of control using the expense breakdown, then setting a budget for it. Over time, a consistently positive cash flow also strengthens your Noryo Score.

1. Spot the spending category that weighs the most.
2. Set it a reasonable monthly budget.
3. Set the surplus aside at the start of the month rather than at the end.
4. Follow your cash flow each month to check the effect.

Taking it further

Once you see where a negative cash flow is coming from, address the cause by managing your category limits.

Understand your budgetsSet caps to bring your cash flow back into the green.