MS money ? personal checking account management?

Soundguy · Jan 11, 2006

My mom calle dme today and wants me to get her a computer and software to help her with her checkbook. I took that to mean that she still wants to hand write checks.. not print them.. but wants to keep the register on the pc vs the little hard to read on in the front of the check book.

I've got an un-opened copy of MS money.. but never used it.. is this applicable? I'm guessing all she needs is somehting that will add deposits, and then let her enter checking transactions like checks and debit card withdraws, and fees.. etc.

Any advice on software?

Soundguy

Dargo · Jan 11, 2006

I have MS Money and Quicken. MS Money is a clone of Quicken from what I can see. I think in the overall battle of which is more popular, Quicken seems to be the clear leader. Which is better, I don't know. Quicken is inexpensive and easy to use. I've, therefore, never bothered with MS Money.

jwstewar · Jan 11, 2006

I've used MS Money since about '97 or '98. I update it each year. Not because of any of the new features, but when I buy TaxCut I get my new AntiVirus and Microsoft Money free. My wife and I use it for exactly what you are talking about. Makes it easier for us to see how much we are overdrawn /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif w/o ever to look for the checkbook. Makes it real nice since I never actually see the checkbook and just use the debit card.

XANDROS_user · Jan 11, 2006

Suggest you go with what you have. In my experiences Money is more friendly for the newbie. Had Quicken for about ten years and switched when I upgraded to Windows 98 (and later XP). In my opinon Quicken added too many bells and whistles (lost its simplicity, got clunky, whatever). Watch that your Money program will work on the Windows platform you purchase.

Bird · Jan 11, 2006

( In my opinon Quicken added too many bells and whistles (lost its simplicity, got clungy whatever). )

I agree. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I've been using Quicken since before Windows I think, and I periodically update to a newer version (Quicken 2004 now). But I think the old, original Quicken did all I needed to do and I like each new version less than the one before it. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I think MS Money came with this computer several years ago, but I've never used it.

Soundguy · Jan 11, 2006

( Watch that your Money program will work on the Windows platform you purchase )

Thanks.. it's money 2005.. I just got it in a bundle with works 8.. I love works.. but tossed the money 2005 aside, and never installe dor registered it... I'm guessing it has to be an XP version due to being last years copy.. etc.

Thanks to all for the reply. Great info... love this website..

Soundguy

Volfandt · Jan 11, 2006

I started useing Money when it came w/ my 1st PC w/ Win 3.1 and continued to use it when I upgraded it to Win95. I bought Money 99 to use on my Win98 machine and I've loaded it on my XP Pro laptop. I'm so used to it that I've never given Quicken a thought. It was very easy to learn.

I track all my accounts in it and it makes balancing very easy. It has some nice features such as online banking and printer check sheets. You can run amortization schedules. Run reports on how much you've paid a particular payee, or account (such as prescriptions, repairs, etc). When you enter a new payee, it prompts you to either include it in a particular account or make one up. It can be imported into app's such as Turbo Tax but I've never done it.
Money (or Quicken), provides a great app to manage and backup your checkbook register.

Volfandt

dmccarty · Jan 12, 2006

Soundguy,

If she wants to keep it really simple how about paying online, that way there are no checks to write at all. She won't have to learn a new software package either. Just figure out which pages to use. You just have to track the money any way you choose.

I FINALLY started paying checks online. There is some up front work to setup of the accounts but its not hard or time consuming. I think I have reduced my bill paying time by at least half. No more worries that the check got lost in the mail or thrown in a shredder. Since the check is not going by mail I know it will get to the account very quickly. Most of the online checks are "cleared" in two days after I submit them.

One can have the check paid automagically every month for things like car and house loans OR pay them every month. I do the later even though its slightly more work.

Later,
Dan

kensfarm · Jan 12, 2006

"If she wants to keep it really simple how about paying online"

I agree.. go w/ the Web banking.. sometimes it's free w/ a certain $ balance. You also have additional functionality to look at checks (that you've written), search & sort through all your transactions.

You also don't have to wait for your once-a-month bank statement to see the transactions that have occured on your account. Savings & overdraft accounts are accessable too.

They also have functionality to download your info. into MS Money & other software. Makes bill paying easy.. no stamps required!

EarPlug · Jan 12, 2006

( Since the check is not going by mail I know it will get to the account very quickly. )

Not always true. Many checks in fact do go by mail. Only payments to large companies, like the credit card companies, Home Depot, etc., are payed electronically. All of the rest are printed checks and mailed.

Jack