home budgeting

juliesutcliffe

I am so happy that I found this website. I have managed to save £300 a month by just looking through my standing orders and direct debits and finding cheaper alternatives for everything. Thanks Martin. You are my hero of the year. But i'm also totally confused. I am trying to keep account of everything I spend. The budget plan Martin has is very good if you want to find out what you have spent in the last year or month but I can't figure out how to keep a good record of my spending. One of the problems is I have a very large family (four boys and a very extravagant husband!) and money seems to go out all over the place. I've Been writing every thing down but I need a system. I have a load of categories which works fine but then I get lost in how to record everything. Has anyone got any suggestions

MarkyMarkD

Computer packages which do this very well indeed are Quicken (which I use) and Microsoft Money.

They are indispensible if you have lots of different bank accounts (like credit card accounts with 0% balances) to keep track of and very useful to control your spending. It's easy to produce reports showing your spending by category each month, or year, and compare between periods so you can see where your extra money is going.

I have been keeping my records on Quicken since the start of 1996 - so that's nearly 9 years - and I would be lost without it.

I used to do the equivalent using pen and paper but my financial affairs then were far less complex than they are now.

juliesutcliffe

Thanks for that avice. Will go out and find Quicken immediately!

cloud_dog

Thanks for that avice. Will go out and find Quicken immediately!

Julie

I have a legit copy of MS Money 2000 (recently bought 2004). I am more than willing to let you have it (otherwise it'll just sit on my shelf) - let me know. I'll understand if you don't want to give out your address, alternatively give me a work address and name and I'll send it there. Spirit of good will and all that

cloud_dog

margaretclare

I agree, MarkyMark. My daughter discovered Quicken about the same time that you did. She introduced me to the idea, I bought my own copy, and I wouldn't be without it.

Although a 'pensioner', I think it's fantastic being able to bank online and also to check my balances daily both online and with my own personal accounting system i.e. Quicken! Wonderful knowing exactly where I stand. I really can't imagine what it's like trying to keep your affairs in order any other way.

Margaret

johnllew

I too have used Quicken for years and find it invaluable but I don't think there is an awful lot to choose between that and Microsoft Money.

If I were you Julie, I'd take advantage of cloud_dog 's generous offer. But if you don't want it my Mum's looking for a copy!

cloud_dog

If I were you Julie, I'd take advantage of cloud_dog 's generous offer. But if you don't want it my Mum's looking for a copy!

Julie PM me if you'd like it. alternatively I'll post here is someone wants it............ for a GENUINE cause.

cloud_dog

juliesutcliffe

Gee Cloud_dog. That is an incredibly kind and generous offer. I would love to take your MS Money off your hands. Thanks alot.

juliesutcliffe

Well Cloud_dog, you're a pal. Recieved the MS Money CD and it is up and running. I've just started to play about with it a bit and it does seem really good, easy to use and friendly. You're a very kind dawg. Pat on the head!