Budget Planner Discussion Area

Ariadne_3

I am looking for something not spreadsheet based really.. although I can perfectly well use one (I'm p/q accountant), I am looking for something a bit different.

not really a "budget" tool, but more of expense tracking/account management, which I suppose kind of fall into the same category. I've tried a few -
Home Book-keeping 4 - didn't like the fact I couldn't seem to see an overall view of what I'm spending on.

MYBudgetPlanner - I actually rather like this piece of software, but what I don't like is that it seems almost impossible to transfer funds from one account to another. I may be missing something on this, as it seems stupid not to be able to do it! - I have emailed the makers.. but also this software is rather full of spelling mistakes and although it's nice software, I'm a bit picky about things like that!

I'm tempted by Quicken - but it's no longer supported in the UK, so that's no good. Microsoft Money is a possibility but I'm not really sure about it.. not knowing enough about it.

my situation is this:
I finally decided to get a better grip on our accounts when I realised my husband still had his endowment compensation money (£12k) sat in his current account - was paid over a year ago! We have each a separate bank account - I also have e-savings linked - we are looking at setting up 2 cash ISAs, and probably an ICEsave account until January when we transfer about £5k to our mortgage (we can only overpay in January of each year without incurring penalty fees). We have a fixed rate repayment mortgage (in two parts, due to remortgaging when we bought a more expensive house - about £39k on 5.49% fixed for another 2 year, and about £35k on 4.49% also fixed for another 2 years or so). House is worth about £150k. We have currently about £14k in current accounts (I know, stupid!!! we will be transferring them to ISAs and savings accounts asap).. and no other debts, so I want to get a handle on where our money is, and what we do spend on - I am slightly concerned that we have managed to put so much aside - I've been a full time mum for 2 years, am now working part time, we get stupid amounts of tax credits, which I have checked on a number of occasions and I'm assured they're right (I get higher rate mobility component of DLA as I have a botched operation on one ankle, had to modify my car, and so on - this seems to entitle me to working tax credits, as well as pretty much all our childcare costs being paid for despite our combined incomes being £28k or so!)

So, erm. to the point. Does anyone know and can recommend any NON-spreadsheet based software that can track expenses and bank accounts etc? I don't really mind if it's fairly complex if it will do what I want - I love learning new software!

Life_On_Mars

Ariadne, try this:

Life_On_Mars wrote:

TheZeal Software - Money Management & other Freeware
http://www.thezeal.com/software/manager/default.asp

I've been using this one - simple, but does the job for personal current and savings accounts.

Ariadne_3

Life on Mars (cool user name btw!)

that looks perfect, thankyou (and free as well!) I will download it tonight and give it a try. I was beginning to think I ought to write my own!

mrsbez_2

Is it possible to have a copy of the monthly food planner or a link to it please, thank you

stphnstevey

Eagerlearner is either deaf or didn't like my ideas!

EagerLearner

stphnstevey wrote:

Eagerlearner is either deaf or didn't like my ideas!

Hearing is good - just hadn't re-visited this post in a while - best to PM me in such instances

Sounds like you have added value to your spreadsheet and those ideas are great -I do have an advanced version but this is not published to the site as I didn't want to 'scare off' any users - just this morning I e-mailed Rex with regards to having an alternative spreadsheet so more advanced users could choose which one they wanted. Then that will allow folks to choose - but the main aim I started out with is to have a spreadsheet that helps with breakdown of spend and felt that the less complex, the more users would give it a go. Now they have a taste of it I can 'complify' it...

Ariadne_3

Life_On_Mars wrote:

Ariadne, try this:

I just want to repeat - THANKYOU!!!

I have just downloaded it, and put our bank accounts in it. I'm using the Money Manager EX (the supported version, still free!)..
and it does everything I needed, plus things I never thought of. I can't recommend it highly enough - easy to set up and use, and SO informative!

(I now need to remind my husband to keep receipts for the £500 cash withdrawn in the last 5 weeks!! - or at least keep a note of what he is spending it on!)..

philipbenton

I deleted something in a cell and this message has appeared in the part B and I cant remove it therefore throwing the expenditure calculations out- any advice?

Thanks

stphnstevey

EagerLearner wrote:

Hearing is good - just hadn't re-visited this post in a while - best to PM me in such instances

Sounds like you have added value to your spreadsheet and those ideas are great -I do have an advanced version but this is not published to the site as I didn't want to 'scare off' any users - just this morning I e-mailed Rex with regards to having an alternative spreadsheet so more advanced users could choose which one they wanted. Then that will allow folks to choose - but the main aim I started out with is to have a spreadsheet that helps with breakdown of spend and felt that the less complex, the more users would give it a go. Now they have a taste of it I can 'complify' it...

I understand your comments. A spreadsheet that suits everyone is always difficult. However a choice should not 'scare' others off. If they had any concerns, then they would likely opt for the easier to use version. However a more advanced version might well retain the interest of those using the original version.

Just a thought.

Great spreadsheet though.

LucyToons

alinort wrote:

Monthly Food Planner
That sounds interesting, could I please have a copy too? Thanks

where do you get this from?

Lucy