microsoft money or similar. what do you use?

[phatmanmike]

im trying to get my finances in order and am looking to download MS money 2006. <br /><br />i want to know what programs other people use and if or how the programs have helped you.<br /><br />my wife and i share a bank account and it hasnt been balenced properly in over a year. we just been winging it.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: microsoft money or similar. what do you use?

I've used Quicken in the past, but figured it was more trouble than it was worth so I just use paper now. It syncs well with Turbo Tax so you don't have to enter a bunch of information multiple times. It does balance your book for you, but you still have to be diligent about data entry or it can get away from you real fast. Microsoft Money is pretty much the same thing and it also syncs with Turbo Tax, just a matter of preference. Turbo Tax is also a Quicken product if that makes a difference to you. Good luck.

 

[JRJ]

Re: microsoft money or similar. what do you use?

Not hard here, a little in, a little out and 0=0

 

[jsfinn]

Re: microsoft money or similar. what do you use?

We use Quicken and like it. Microsoft Money is just as good, I'm sure.<br /><br />One of the nicest things is that it'll download information from your bank automatically. It makes things really easy.

 

[deofc]

Re: microsoft money or similar. what do you use?

I know your trying to get things in order and that is good.........but it takes more than a computer program........You have to get a handle on the checkbook/money first or you will be doing the same bad bookkeeping except it will be computerized........if you remember to enter everything. I would start by keeping seperate checking accounts and balancing the checkbooks every month. Keep track of everything you spend wether you do it with a logbook or on the computer. Everything. Don't keep a lot of cash around....to easy to spend it and not keep track of it. Good luck.

 

[FSHKPR]

Re: microsoft money or similar. what do you use?

used both microsoft and quicken. i found quicken easier to use. my check book has been balanced for the last 8 years. never was before when i did on paper

 

[gewf631]

Re: microsoft money or similar. what do you use?

Have used both - well actually, used Quicken over 5-years back, then switched to Money, and last year, tried to switch to Quicken.<br /><br />Some suggestions...<br />Check with your financial institutions, to see which one they integrate with (better). One of my banks is seamless with Quicken, but with Money I have to download the file and then import.<br />Most of the brokerage houses and credit card firms are universal, so they probably won't differ.<br />It's coming-up on tax time, so you'll get good deals when you bundle the purchase with one of the tax applications (TurboTax or TaxCut). I've tried both, and like TurboTax better (that's how I ended up with Quicken).<br /><br />If the only account you're worred-about is the one that you and the Mrs share, deofc's suggestion is a good one - if you can't keep things straight now, having a computer application won't do it for you. The biggest advantage is that with the download feature, you'll be able to see what's happening more timely. But most banks already have online access, so I'd look first at that, checking every few days and making sure the paper register is accurate.

 

[aspeck]

Re: microsoft money or similar. what do you use?

I like quicken and MoneyCounts (not the Microsoft Money). Both are easy to use. Quicken, if set up correctly, makes Turbo Tax easy to use if your tax return is a fairly simple one.