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Keeping Track with Personal Finance Software

Tuesday, May 30 2006

One of the best things I did for my personal finances was to purchase Quicken. Keeping track of my finances using the computer is easier, more organized, and less time-consuming. Personal finance software can be a useful tool in any money management arsenal. With the ability to set up multiple ledgers, plus keep track of my investments as well as my checking account, I can keep tabs on my financial status with a click of the mouse. Personal finance software is an excellent addition to anyone's financial planning process. Helpful features


  • Ability to set up as many accounts as needed

  • Keep track of available credit for credit cards and lines of credit

  • Create a budget, manually or automatically, and track your adherence to it

  • Set up automatic notations in ledgers for bills

  • Program bill reminders and automatic withdrawals

  • Reconcile feature

  • Reports and graphs that allow an easy snapshot of your finances

Online features One of the things I love about my personal finance software is its interaction with the Internet. I can connect Quicken to my bank accounts over the Internet, as well as to other financial services. When changes are made, my ledgers are automatically updated, and it makes checking cleared items that much easier. With personal finance software, I find it remarkably easy to keep my finances in sync, and to know exactly what I have, and when I have it.

Latest Comments in  posts

I have a twofold interest in Quicken. For one thing, I wrote all the various versions of the book Quicken for Dummies... But for another--and this is sort of off topic--but as a tax CPA... I notice that people who use Quicken (or Microsoft Money for that matter) do a much better job of keeping track of their tax deductions...
By: LLC formations author on 5/30/06 at 12:00 PM
You are right! I use Quicken to keep track of business expenses, and it helps me keep track of deductions for charitable donations. Everything laid out, easy to see! Thanks for your comment! The Author ...
By: Miranda Marquit on 5/30/06 at 12:00 PM
One of the main issues that people have when first start using personal finance software, is keeping the discipline of doing it more than a few months. Once they've got past that, and it becomes a regular thing in your daily/weekly/monthly life, then it becomes ever so easy! I wish you success!
By: Glyn Simpson on 6/10/06 at 12:00 AM
I've been using it for five years now, and I find it beyond helpful. You're right; the important thing is to stick with it, and not give up. Thanks for your comment! Miranda ...
By: Miranda Marquit on 6/10/06 at 12:00 AM
I used to use Quicken but having a desktop, home laptop and work laptop it just frustrated me being bound to 1 PC. I also tried MS Money but found that to be too over the top. I started searching for online finance managers so that I can control my finances from any of my PCs. Found a few but they are all junk. About 2 months ago I found quite a nice one called phpfin (www.phpfin.com). I remember using it about 3 years ago. I must say, I'm impressed. Got some nice functions especially the email alerts. I actually bought a version now and am happy with it. It does everything I want it to do. It's got quite a simple interface and the guys seem to be updating it quite often. Not for everybody but quite a nice alternative to the desktop stuff.
By: Philip Malan on 6/13/06 at 12:00 AM
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