FM2018: questions concerning budgets, contracts, etc.

[Mr. Moustache]

Hey all,

Dirty American here with some FM 2018 questions, most of which are related to budget, finances, etc. Love the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ game, there's just a few things I still can't wrap my head around. Hopefully some of you vets can point me in the right direction. This will probably be rather long, so apologies in advance.

So I'm down in the 8th tier of the English football pyramid with a custom club. I have a shoe-string budget. My first season just ended. Finished in 8th place, missing the play-offs by a couple spots due to a blood boiling run of bad form over the last handful of games. It's early June and all my players are on vacation. When I go to the finances screen I see:

Budget: 27.5k
Currently spending: 35k
Committed spending: 0 (I've "set to release" my part-time / contract players)

We're not playing any games. My players are on vacation. No one is on contract. How am I still spending 35k? When I go to sign a player, it tells me I have 27.5k of wage budget available. How can I simultaneously be spending over budget and have my entire wage budget available? The only thing I can come up with is staff wages.... but wouldn't those salaries come out of my wage budget? They must not, because my entire wage budget is available.

What's the difference between signing a player with a per year salary vs. signing a player with a per week salary? Why would you chose one over the other? Isn't paying a player $1k p/w exactly the same as paying them $52k p/a? I don't understand why the game makes a distinction between the two.

Similarly, assume you have non-contract player with a $100 appearance fee and they play 40 games in a season. Assuming no other bonuses or clauses isn't that exactly the same as a part-time contract of $4k p/a (or approx. $77 p/w)? Further, are appearance fees paid out for any / all games a player might appear in (friendlies, for example)?

In past games, I used to rely on loan players primarily because you could get good talent for, basically, free. In this current game, every loan target I've checked the loaning club wants me to pay the players wages. What gives? Was I just exceptionally lucky in my earlier games?

Thanks in advance,
MM

[waauw]

I don't usually play teams of that level, but I think you realise the game differentiates between predicted expenditures and certain expenditures. Annual salaries are just predictions, based on variables. Weekly salaries are certain expenditures. Even if they're not playing, they get paid. Bonuses, appearance fees, etc. are not taken into account with weekly salaries.

Same thing with the current spending and committed spending. Committed spending only takes into account what you'll be spending starting next transfer period(july). Current spending is what you're spending now(june).

Usually the better the players are, the more likely you are to have to pay for your loans. Especially at the end of a transfer period. Clubs will assume you are in urgent need and will look to extort just a tad more from you. Clubs will also demand more if demand is higher or if the player has a function at their club. Even if the player is a mere backup. Players who are 'not needed' or who are still part of the U23/U18 are more likely to be loaned out cheaply.

[Spelunker]

Hi, here are a few tips I hope will help:

1) You will always have some expenditure e.g. ground maintenance, non football costs, possibly loans, etc. to check your outgoings click on "Finances" then "Expenditure".

2) Ways to make and save cash in low leagues:

i) Ask your board to get a parent club. This will both earn you cash AND get you some free loans.

ii) Use the minimum number of players and staff you can. e.g. Just the first XI and 7 subs. You can use youth players if you are desperate to cover injuries. Occasionally if you are lucky you may find a gem in your youth team so check.

iii) Use the max number of free loan players you can (check your leagues rules). Use free agents for the rest of the team and pay as little as you can in wages.

iv) In pre-season arrange friendlies with the biggest teams you can. O.K you may get thrashed but you'll earn more cash and perhaps even get some TV money. Games at the weekend tend to raise more money. The best option is to choose the "Cup" option then you will have a mini cup competion between 4 teams and 2 matches in 2 days. You are also more likely to get TV money with this option. Check who your rivals are too. These games also get good attendances. I tend to do this in my last couple of pre-season games since if you win you'll get a morale boost too before your first league game.

v) The FA Cup. If you can manage a cup run you can get some serious cash by low league standards so make winning these games a priority.

vi) Selling players. O.K this last one may be redundent in your case, but generally it's a good way to both earn some money and reduce wages. If you can't sell them then try loaning them out.
N.B. If a player has started his contract within the last 6 months you won't be able to sell or loan him.

3) "What's the difference between signing a player with a per year salary vs. signing a player with a per week salary? Why would you chose one over the other? Isn't paying a player $1k p/w exactly the same as paying them $52k p/a? I don't understand why the game makes a distinction between the two."

Don't worry about this, you're right there's no difference. It's just preference on how you like the info displayed.

4) Not sure if you have to pay appearence fees and bonuses for friendlies but I assume so.

5) As mentioned earlier the best place for free loans is from your parent club once you get one.

Generally speaking I find the richer clubs are more likely to allow free loans, especially for their U18 players and some U21. Man Utd are probably the most generous in this respect in my experience, but may refuse the loan if they don't think you are at a high enough level for the player. Scout reports give an idea of the players level. As waauw says above the better the player the more likely the club is to charge for loans.

Hope that's been helpful.