A cash flow forecast answers one question: will the money in my accounts cover what is coming? You can build one in a spreadsheet or let an app do the arithmetic.
Step 1: List your income
Write down every source of income, how much it pays, and when it lands. Use the amount that actually reaches your account after deductions.
Step 2: Add fixed bills
Rent or mortgage, utilities, insurance, loan payments, and subscriptions repeat on a schedule. Put each on the date it is charged, not just in the right month.
Step 3: Estimate variable spending
Groceries, fuel, and dining out change each month. Use your last few months of transactions to set a realistic average. Connecting your accounts, or importing a CSV, gives you that history without manual entry.
Step 4: Project the balance forward
Start from today's balance, add income, subtract bills and spending, and repeat month by month. The months where the balance dips low are the ones to plan around.
Step 5: Revisit it
A forecast is only useful while it is current. Update it when your income, bills, or goals change.
Savi Finance includes cash flow forecasting on its free tier, built from your connected accounts. Start with how to choose a budgeting app in Canada or see goal planning.