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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.

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

I know Microsoft Money and similar softwares are out there, but I’m wondering what people feel is the most efficient and effective personal finance management software/system.

Thanks for your input!

Microsoft money is good but I like the open source software since they are free. For example you can use http://www.gnucash.org/ for personal finance or accounting. There are a plenty options available. So before hanging on paid software do check for the free versions. Also refer this article for getting more details on the free options: http://zenhabits.net/6-great-free-alternatives-to-quicken-ms-money/

What is the best software available for personal finance? Both Microsoft Money and Quicken’s product were recommended to me — but both seemed to receive poor reviews at Amazon.com.

The problem with any software is that they add a ton of bells and whistles that most people don’t use to justify their existence.

I use Microsoft Money and I probably use 5% of the features.
Eg, I set up the accounts (a pain), I enter my transactions and I run a reports (also a pain to set up). I do not use the charts, I do not use the advice, and I don’t do any account management via signons and passwords. I’ve mimiced my paper records (which were too difficult to keep up with with a manual calculator).

If you’ve never used such software, I would suggest buying a sprial notebook and write down all expenses for a month before setting the software up.

My categories (that I’ve used for 20 years) are:
food & entertainment
car (gas, parking, everything)
appearance (exercise, clothes, medical)
miscellaneous
books & records
hobby (this needed it’s own category)
phone
financial expenses (finance charges, account fees, work expenses)
trips and gifts
Housing (Rent, Utilities, Insurance, Taxes, Furniture)–I used to use several categories, now I don’t.
Income taxes
Social Security
Medicare (These I had as one category and now split them out to match the paycheck stubs).

I found the myriad of choices in the software to be far too much.

Quickbooks

Microsoft Money