Using Variables In Macro Functions?

My goal is to write an equation that allows me to total all of the numbers in a column until the value = 0.

When I write the following equation using actual cell references, I am able to get the results I am looking for:

=IF(LEFT($E$78,6)=" Expe",SUM($J$78:INDEX($J$78:J1000,MATCH(0,J78:J1000,),0)),0)

When I try to write it in a macro using variables, I get all messed up:

Selection.Offset(1, 0).Select
Selection.Font.Italic = True
ActiveCell.FormulaR1C1 = " Expense"

[Code].....

(Possibly unnecessary information: This is for a budget spreadsheet I am creating. Ideally when I am finished with the macro it will allow me to add a line item under a specific program and update the total amount spent. The budget is broken out by month, rather than program. When a new program begins the amount in column J will always be zero, hence the Sum until 0 is reached.)