Quicken or Money or....

Handsome_Homer

I guess this doesn't really fit here, but wasn't sure where else it could go. I'm thinking of getting a personal finance program. Anyone have any experience with these? I guess the top two are quicken and microsoft's money. are there others? this is one area i don't mind spending money in, because a 'name' product might be more compatible and have more help sections, which i'll need. ideas?

Hungerdunger

Handsome_Homer wrote: »

I guess this doesn't really fit here, but wasn't sure where else it could go. I'm thinking of getting a personal finance program. Anyone have any experience with these? I guess the top two are quicken and microsoft's money. are there others? this is one area i don't mind spending money in, because a 'name' product might be more compatible and have more help sections, which i'll need. ideas?

Although I tend to shy away from Microsoft products, I've been using Microsoft Money for a year now with no complaints, and would recommend it.

Although you say you don't mind spending money, have a look on ebay first. I picked up a copy of Money 2002 quite cheaply. I visit the microsoft.public.uk.money Newsgroup regularly and the general feeling there was that the later versions didn't really improve over that one. (That newsgroup is also a good place to visit if you run into problems)

IvanOpinion

Do you really need one .. would a spreadsheet not do it just as simply? I used to use Microsoft Money and while I generally have no complaints I felt like I was spending half my life updating it with trivia. i gave up on that and realised I did not need to know exactly how much I spent on food, entertainment, clothes, condoms etc. per month and created a spreadsheet. I have now been using my own spreadsheet for 8 years and it has met all my needs

ivan

Marty999

I have not used Money so can't comment on that. I used to use Quicken which was very good, but it is no longer available or supported in the UK. When I got a new PC and realised I had lost my Quicken CD, I switched to Moneydance. It's not as pretty or as functional as Quicken but it suits me fine and there is very good support.

Handsome_Homer

Thank you to everyone who replied. Ivan, I was wondering the same thing - i use excel now and it's ok, it's not particularly functional. but i figured that with so much else being so much easier with software, perhaps this was too. i'm especially looking to have different bits of income easily displayable...wasn't sure if money would do that. hmm. i'll have a look at it. thanks again

torbrex

I started out using a couple of spreadsheets for doing my finance then got Money '97 free with a new computer and have been using it with no problems ever since. I am now on the 2000 version and having seen the more recent versions, there is little difference. Once you have done the initial input of all your data keeping it updated is easy but remember to keep a back-up of your file at least once a month in case of computer crashes.
I tried Quicken years ago but it did not have some of the feature that I had been used to on Money so I gave it away to a friend.

superscaper

torbrex wrote: »

I am now on the 2000 version and having seen the more recent versions, there is little difference.

I'm not sure about how much better or more feature the American's have but in Europe 2005 is the absolute last version of Money, and just like Quicken, Microsoft have pulled out completely from the European market in regards to Money.

Redmikee

Hi.
I have been using quicken for years but couldn't get my version registered when i loaded it onto a new computer.After trying out lots of different programs(money moneydance etc) i finally found the US version of Quicken 08.I dont use the bank download features anyway so that isnt a problem but it is really easy to use and does just what I want to. My cash shows in dollars but I have set the exchange rate 1=1 so i can cope with that also.
This version also syncs with a program called SPB finance i have on my PDA which is a great feature to have.

Mike

Lakeuk

I like MS Money, still using the 2001 version - spend about 10mins per week updating, you done need to go to the enth-degree, just enough for a general idea of where you're spending the cash.

An alternative to try is the free GNU Cash, but takes abit more initial setting up

http://www.gnucash.org

Handsome_Homer

thanks, i think i'll try and get a copy of money. i actually have one from years ago (bundled with a computer) but the CD doesn't seem to work anymore. H

Froglet

I'm of the same mind as Ivan.My old computer,windows 98 had the money programme money95, and it was great,i really wondered how i was going to manage without it when i couldn't transfer it to this new XP programmed computer.

I was persuaded to give Excel a try and now i would not go back to Money.If you just need a simple way of keeping track of all your finances i don't think it can be bettered.