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With graphs, budgets, etc. As well as for small businesses unless I’m better off getting two different programs.

I would say the best program would be to use Excel. Although it’s pretty complicated at first it get easier. It’s capable of many things.
I use it for just about every class.
If you have any questions on how to use it feel free to ask me and I’ll try my best to help. I’ve used to a lot.

I would like to get a program so I can see more easily where my money is going… and things of the sort. I think there is a program called Money, and there may be some more. If you have any knowledge on this, I’d like to know what the pros and cons are of managing finances this way and also of the program.

Thanks!

The two main program choices you have are Intuit’s Quicken and Microsoft’s Money.

As far as functionality, I think they are pretty much the same, I don’t think you’ll go wrong chosing either program. Each has different versions of their software with basic, middle and tricked out versions of their software. If you’re thinking of starting to keep track of your finances, I would recommend you go with the middle versions as they offer more functionality than the basic versions, yet leave out all the bells and whistles you’ll probably never use anyway.

Every year a new annual version of the software comes out, but you don’t have to upgrade every year. BUT, every 3 years or so they’ll make significant changes to something in the program that will force you to upgrade to the latest and greatest. Not a bad idea to upgrade anyway, but something you should be aware of.

You’ll get as much usefullness out of a financial program as you put into it. It’s up to you on how detailed you want to track your transactions. The more detailed you get, the more unique ways you can generate reports telling you where and how you’re spending your money. This is, I think, the only con: once you start you must keep up with transactions, let it sit for a couple weeks and you won’t remember what that $9.48 charge was that the bank is showing.

The best thing about using a program to help manage funds is the online linkages you can make to your bank accounts, credit cards, loans, etc. All you do is activate the online service (usually free) and you can download all your recent transactions to match up receipts. And if you have several accounts, it’s also nice to be able to see everything in one place and run reports across accounts.

I say go for it.

I want to keep my transactions on a software system so I can view where my money is going (which means microsoft money essentials is not working for me since there are no categories). However, I prefer to manually enter my transactions, rather than have them download from somewhere. Any advice on which software programs to use?? It seems like every single one wants to to auto synch.

I use Quicken (and not even the current version – I’m cheap so I bought the 2001 disc from amazon for $5), and I manually enter my receipts every day. (Takes me less than 10 minutes)

I’m looking for a piece of software that will work like Microsoft Money, but hopefully better. Something that will download and organize my financial information. I’m currently running OS X Leopard. Any suggestions? Thanks.

well Quicken of course (but you already knew that)

otherwise both of these work on OS X and for free (if that makes a difference to you) so give them a try
HomeBank 4.0 its based on the old Commodore Amiga HomeBank program (i dont know if you are old enough to remember the company, so that might not mean much). i think its European now, so im not sure if you can download your banking info properly.. its more for personal finance

GnuCash 2.2.x has real professional double entry accounting..so its more for small business. this has support better for your online stuff.
this might be what you are looking for.

hope 1 of those 3 work for you. good luck.
i personally keep track all my financial stuff in my head, and i use excel when i want to analyze or keep track of anything specific.

I’ve been using Microsoft Money and it has been discontinued – I have a new computer and need something newer. Just basic accounting, to help track and manage our personal finances.

Hi, if you have MS Excel on your new pc you can use that and setup a worksheet to run similar to a checking account balance book.

If you do not have MS Office on your pc, you may have MS Works. In MS Works, open Works Spreadsheet and either select Blank Spreadsheet or Financial Worksheets. The program is very similar to Excel.

If you need more help please feel free to email me.

I have Quicken on my old computer. I heard of Microsoft Money Plus. Are there any other programs and which is the best. My finances are not too complicated (2 mortgages, few credit cards, car, insurances, condo dues). Any suggetions are greatly appreciated.

Use Quicken. The newer versions are excellent for personal finace mangement.

Anyone have any tips? Also, is there any site online that is free to help form your budget?

The best book is "Personal Finance for Dummies" by John Tyson. If you follow the steps, you’ll be organized.
You can get the book from your library, or buy it used on Amazon.com.

Microsoft has some spreadsheets that help with budgeting.

Go to Microsoft.com, and type in "Excel budget template" in the search box.

Best of luck!

I started using Microsoft Money but it isn’t set up for people who are in trouble. I had to create a catagory for late fees, etc. I has some forcasting capabilities but I want something that can really lay out a budget week by week for us. It would be nice if it even had features for making letters requesting interest knockdowns and such. Does such a personal financing for dummies software kit exist?

Well unfortunately I have never heard of a program such as you are asking for, however, I do believe you may have something here. Perhaps a brief letter to Microsoft could put you in a position to pioneer such a software.
Good luck in adventures. I would love to see the end product.

I’ve been using Microsoft Money since 2002, so I have over 7 years of financial data. However, now the Microsoft is leaving the personal finance mgmt business, what is the best alternative? An important requirement is that I save these 7 years of information. I would like web based, but I must be able to import my current information. I have stock information, retirement info, various bank accounts and credit cards.

What is the best personal finance management software today?

Without a doubt Quicken…..

Im after a personal finance software that is compatible for UK banking. Any Ideas? Microsoft money and quicken are not supported in the uk anymore.
isent mint.com just for the USA?
Athel, ive looked on that page but none of the info continues, look on the homepage, in the middle section it starts talking then thats it? u can not continue?

What about mint.com