Microsoft Money/Quicken.

heppy23

I use Quicken and have done for about 8 years now.

I didn't know they were pulling out of the UK market but it won't really affect me as quicken can do much more than I need it to.

PROS (of quicken but I suppose of any similar package):-

You can keep track of your finances to the day. When my bank statements and credit card bills come in the post I normally shred them without looking at them as I keep so much more on top of things with quicken and internet banking.

It can alert you in advance of things (i.e. to remind you to move money into your current account for the mortgage payment).

You can do all sorts of reports - I worked out I was taking about £2000 out of cash machines which wasn't tracked and basically vanished. Now I try and use debit card for most things so I can track money better.

CONS:-

Bit time consuming to keep reconciling and matching balances (this is far outweighed by being so on top of finances).

wotnoshoeseh

Thanks everyone,
I'm going to try to get a copy of MS Money 2004 as it seems that you don't have to sign up with the .NET passport Microsoft :eek: stuff.

Also, might have a look at some of the free downloads mentioned too.

Cheers again :j

Cantdance_2

Is there any real advantage to using a programme like this as opposed to an Excel spreadsheet set up with all your ins and outs?

James

themaccas

Cantdance - I find that it enhances the use of my excel spreadsheet, I don't use excel for my detailed daily income/outgoings but I do use it to keep a track of my latest debt and to show how much my monthly payments are to pay our debt ( although ms money will do this too). I wouldn't be without ms money now, I love the simplicity of it (after you have spent time initally putting in all the info) and all the reports, charts, budget forcasts etc it does.

Justin_Credit

It's worth checking out E-bay there are usually loads to be found on there.

I had MS Money 2000 for about £2 or £3 I think. It does more than I'll ever need and, as all the others say, I wouldn't be without it now.

Regards JC

wotnoshoeseh

Cheers all.
Looks like it might be a worthwhile exercise setting everything up so that it works properly.