Definition
Cash flow is the movement of money in and out over a period of time — how much money is coming in, how much is going out, and when those movements happen.
Why It Matters
Cash flow helps you understand whether you’ll have enough money available when you need it. Even if your income is greater than your expenses overall, timing can create problems — for example, if bills are due before your paycheck arrives or, for a business, before customers pay their invoices.
Watching cash flow can help you spot potential shortfalls before they become urgent.
How This Works in Quicken
In Quicken, you can view projected cash flow from the Cash Flow tab on the Bills & Income dashboard. It shows how your balances are expected to change over time based on the recurring bills, income, and reminders you’ve scheduled in Quicken.
This gives you a forward-looking view of when money is expected to come in, when it will go out, and how those events may affect your balance.