Money, money, money, Quicken?

[woodychitwn]

I'm not going to get into New Year's Resolutions just yet...  last year's attempt...  Well...  Moving right along then!

I recently decided, that it was time to start over, in regards to finances.  I've been using Microsoft Money for about 12 years now, upgrading every year or so, when they have deals that involve buying the latest version, and

Comments

[woodychitwn]

I use Quickbooks for both the store and Condo association, and I even took a class on it. That being said, it's not only overkill, but as far as I know, doesn't have things like debt management software which automatically decides which credit cards should be paid first, with how much of your "spare" cash and then pays them. Not to mention the automatic budgeting and ease of downloads. For whatever reason, getting my online statement for the store's account requires that I sign on, from within Quickbooks, then download it. In Quicken and Money, it's seamless.

And while I could continue to use Microsoft, they're discontinuing the service, including online services. Which means it won't be able to pay bills anymore the entire point of having it. I might as well get used to something else now.

[woodychitwn]

My bank DOES have it... But... I'll be honest... It's kind of awkward and clumsy. Doing everything through the software is MUCH smoother.

[firedhusky]

It scares the living shit out of me that some free service has access to my finance info...

quicken probably did better advertising job than MS on this one.

[woodychitwn]

Well, Mint was bought out by Intuit, the same people who own Quicken... So that provided me with some peace of mind, and the hopes that Quicken will be streamlined!

And yes... I think it had to be just advertising...

[duncandahusky]

I will point out that Mint is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Intuit...the makers of Quicken.

I would expect that as time goes on they will improve the interface between Quicken and Mint, as they abandon the steaming pile of crap that was Quicken Online.

[woodychitwn]

Haha! Yes! That is my exact thought process as well and the one redeeming quality that Quicken has, which makes me want to endure their software-based application as well. Right now, everything appears to have been added on as a second-thought, there's no continuity or flow within different parts. Mint however, is damned near artwork in how everything looks and interacts!

[graemelion]

Well, currently, I use just my bank's offering.

But soon, I plan on going to an Envelope System, much like what Dave Ramsey uses.

I don't agree with his other things.. but the Envelope system is by far the best thing since sliced bread.

[woodychitwn]

*Nods* The problem with the Envelope system is of course, that if I HAVE money, I'll spend it.

What I've always done is have two checking accounts. I know how much my bills are each month, and I know how much I make... A set amount is automatically deposited into one account for bills, and another account for spending. If I have no more money in my spending account... I can't spend it.

[graemelion]

Well, once you spend the money, you can't get more :)

[woodychitwn]

The benefit to my system, is that it's automatic and replenishes with every paycheck! Not to mention... If I have cash, It is quickly gone and I have NO clue where! My ATM/Debit card, keeps a perfect record however!

[woodychitwn]

I may just need to adapt and accept that Quicken is not pretty, it's not sleek, it simply does things differently than I'm used to... But it works. I simply need to adapt.