What is the best program to manage personal finances, etc?

**Showtime** · 03-08-2003, 04:44 PM

Just curious what people use to keep track of bills and stuff.
I'm interested in freeware or if I have to, buying a good program.
I need something fairly easy to use. I'm willing to spend some cash to keep track of my cash.

TIA
-jel

**jameslee** · 03-08-2003, 07:15 PM

I've actually heard good things about Microsoft Money, but haven't used it myself. Other than that, Quicken's always a public favorite.

Any special financial requirements (e.g. you own you're own business)?

**Showtime** · 03-08-2003, 07:21 PM

Our business is using peachtree, but thats way too much for my cell phone bills and the occasional vegas trip. What software package does money come with. I'd like to try something free before paying for it.

-jel

**jameslee** · 03-08-2003, 07:24 PM

I believe it's seperate from other Microsoft titles, but again i've never used it. You can get a 60 free trial here, and i'd imagine unlock it if you like it.

http://moneycentral.msn.com/tax/products.asp

**Merlin** · 03-08-2003, 07:57 PM

I've used Quicken religously since 1994 and swear by it. It does everything I want except for proper treatment of options (puts and calls) If you are looking to get control over your finances I'd say you have to at least give it a look.

As for Money, I don't use it but have heard it has evolved to be very similiar to Quicken. Well isn't that strange? A MicroSoft product trying to undermine the most popular option out there by imitating it.

Whichever one you go with you should be much much better off financially for it. These programs really do help keep your ship in order.

**bachviet** · 03-08-2003, 09:26 PM

Quicken is one of the best! :up:

**Joshua** · 03-09-2003, 06:39 AM

I use Quickbooks Pro for my business, but before that, I used Quicken, all around good stuff. Plus, most banks and some credit cards allow you to download your info from your account in to Quicken. Very cool feature.