Thread: Personal Finance Software?

I'm wondering how many NetBuilders are using personal finance software? The software that manages all your earnings, costs in real life and could help you. I had to make a tool for school in Excel that had to include many of the stuff these programs have and they actually all beat my simple excel sheet But it ain't finished yet, so it might get better -- I need to finish my last year, so I'm doing my very best

Anyways, who uses personal finance software or ever used it? Why? Does/did it help or not?

Here are some examples (with their price next to it, based on the lowest possible licence to buy):
Mint - Free
FinancesSoftware - 24,95$
SimpleHomeSoftware - 29,95$
Quicken - 59,99$
YNAB - 59,95$

Please discuss!

I'm using an invoice system built in my client's management script. also my accountant takes care of everything for me

I manage my own finances. I keep all source documentation and enter every transaction individually into an Excel spreadsheet.

I use Quicken, Quickbooks, and 2 CPA's.

Hi,

I have never used any finance software. Not making enough money to worry about that at this moment.

At what point do you suggest it is time to start?

Sami

Originally Posted by m42

I use Quicken, Quickbooks, and 2 CPA's.

Which one do you prefer the most?

Originally Posted by Sami4u

Hi,

I have never used any finance software. Not making enough money to worry about that at this moment.

At what point do you suggest it is time to start?

Sami

I see it as a long-term investment, it doesn't cost a lot neither IMO. It helps in giving a better look on seeing if it would be worth investing a bunch of money into something without having to worry about if you're going to make it for the next month.

There isn't really a starting time, the thing is that you face the facts when using software like this. When you see you're having that many costs, you might think twice about renewing a domain that you won't be using for 5 more years and maybe even never. It may also be the time where people start understanding that HostGator hosting is expensive, you're better off with cheaper hosts if you can actually trust them (For example my cheap shared hosting )

Greetz!

i have one from android market but most of the time my income is always lower then expenses (according to software) hahhahaha

Originally Posted by SonnyCooL

i have one from android market but most of the time my income is always lower then expenses (according to software) hahhahaha

Can you lower the expenses or not? I doubt the program will show false results

Originally Posted by Aquarezz

Which one do you prefer the most?

They all have different purposes:

Quicken is for personal finances and budgeting throughout the year. I can probably do without it. It's easily to lose track of where you're spending money. Quicken downloads my bank account information and automate the categorization of my spending. This allows me to create a budget that not only helps me live within my means, but also records my tax-related information (brokerage, charities, interest, FSA, 401k, etc) for easier processing during the tax seasons.

Quickbooks is my business finance and budgeting software. It keeps each of my business purchases and transactions tidy and documented so I don't have to jump through hoops to get my business accountants the information they need at the end of the year.

CPA1 (Certified Public Accountant) - lives in the US and handles my US business, properties, and personal taxes.

CPA2 - Lives in Singapore and handles my Singaporean personal and business taxes.