Yeah, that's the reference I was using until I discovered Buzzer Manager and the Salary Estimation tool. The discrepancy is the reason I started the thread.
@Trainerman-- I know personally I'm making less than optimal choices. I probably could have just brought in an endless stream of older mercenaries and competed for promotion my first season, certainly could have done it this season. I've placed these arbitrary and even irrational restrictions on myself to help me stay interested and invested in my team. You give really good advice and I like reading it even if I don't plan on following it to the letter.