# Google Sheets Setup Guide

Setup time: 15 minutes.

The Money Wall lives in Google Sheets because Google Sheets is free, cloud-synced, and mobile-friendly. If you prefer Excel, everything below works there too.

---

## Step 1: Import the CSV

1. Open sheets.google.com
2. Blank spreadsheet → File → Import
3. Upload the `response-tracker.csv` from your Kit
4. Select "Replace spreadsheet"
5. Rename the sheet to "[Your Business] Money Wall"

## Step 2: Add the Formulas

Paste these into the specified cells:

**Column K (Gross Margin %):**
```
=IF(F2="","",(F2-SUM(K2:K2)*0.6)/F2)
```
Adjust the 0.6 to your actual COGS ratio.

**Column L (CAC):**
```
=IF(G2="","",I2/G2)
```

**Column M (Runway):**
```
=IF(B2="","",B2/(SUM(B2:B32)/30*30))
```

**Column N (Status) — the auto-color:**
```
=IFS(
  B2<5000, "RED · low cash",
  K2<0.4, "RED · margin",
  L2>500, "RED · CAC",
  TRUE, "GREEN"
)
```

## Step 3: Add Conditional Formatting

1. Select column N
2. Format → Conditional formatting
3. If text contains "RED" → red background
4. If text contains "AMBER" → amber background
5. If text contains "GREEN" → green background

Now every daily row auto-colors so red rows scream at you when you open the sheet.

## Step 4: Set Up Recurring Reminders

**Daily reminder (5 PM):**
- Calendar event: "Update Money Wall - Daily"
- Recurrence: Every weekday
- Duration: 5 minutes
- Notification: 10 min before

**Weekly reminder (Monday 9 AM):**
- Calendar event: "Money Wall - Monday Meeting"
- Recurrence: Every Monday
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Notification: 15 min before

**Monthly reminder (1st of month, 9 AM):**
- Calendar event: "Money Wall - Monthly Review"
- Recurrence: Monthly on the 1st
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Notification: 1 day before

## Step 5: Share with One Other Person

Accountability triples consistency. Share the sheet with:
- Your accountant (view access)
- Your business partner (edit access)
- Your spouse (view access) — they're a stakeholder in your business succeeding

Weekly, text the person a photo of the sheet or a screenshot of the summary tab. Even if they don't reply, the act of sharing forces you to look.

---

## Common Setup Mistakes

- **Skipping formulas.** The auto-color is what makes this useful. Without it, you're just staring at rows of numbers.
- **Adding too many columns.** Resist the urge. 11 numbers is the sweet spot. More = you'll quit.
- **Not sharing it.** Solo tracking has a 40% dropout rate at 3 weeks. Shared tracking has a 90% survival rate.
- **Making it pretty.** Ignore the design for the first 90 days. Just log numbers.

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Ready to have us wire this directly into your CRM + Stripe + accounting so it updates itself? Every BFM CRM install includes a real-time Money Wall dashboard. Book a Clarity Call at [/plan](/plan).