Budget Software

Roupey03 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-08-2006, 12:29 PM

I am looking for a free Budgeting Program to use for keeping track of my monthly expenses, my various savings accounts and my checking. Everything that I have found decent costs money. I was wondering if you guys knew of any free programs or software.

Any Recomendations?

markio26 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-08-2006, 12:38 PM

i would say to you, check out the local garage sales... i have seen alot of software, new in the package... fifty cents for about 4 of them... parents had received them as gifts and never used them... ask around, someone will know something..

Haku · #3 (**permalink**) 05-08-2006, 12:59 PM

I wish I knew of freewares that can do exactly what I want it to do in a budget, but I am not aware of it. The software I use (PocketMoney) costed me $30, but it has proven itself to be worth every penny. I've been using it everyday for more than ... 3 years now? That's $10 per year, and the cost of ownership will continue to decline the longer I keep using it.

In my humble opinion, for something as important as personal financing, it wouldn't hurt to spend a little bit of money. Quicken and Microsoft Money are the Big Two.

boefixepa · #4 (**permalink**) 05-08-2006, 01:58 PM

I use Mvelopes and love it! I had used Quicken for year but every two years or so I had to re-buy it because my bank was no longer supporting the "old" version and it didn't keep a separate "budget" from the check register. So basically it didn't do what it needed to! I agree that something this important is worth paying a little for. I pay less then 10 a month for Mvelopes and I don't have to worry about upgrades, I get free bill pay, off site storage of my inforamtion, so I don't have to stress if my computer goes south, and I get the best Budgeting system I have yet to find. It pays for it's self on a weekly baises with the money I have saved by staying within my budget. In fact, I really didn't understand what a true "budget" was until I learned this program. I was so stuck on the check registar like it held all the answers. That's why I ran out of money every month and never had the needed funds for those "repairs" or "once a year" bills.

Good luck....remember...sometimes you get what you pay for. Becareful when it comes to your money, but if you can find a way to get free software that works for you....more power to ya!

poundwise · #5 (**permalink**) 05-08-2006, 03:29 PM

I have not used this software myself, however, it may be well worth checking out as a viable freeware option for home budgeting.

http://www.abassis.com

Note: This is not a referral link nor do I have any connection with Abassis.

eisor · #6 (**permalink**) 05-08-2006, 04:02 PM

I use Microsoft Money and I actually love it. I must say that I haven't used the budgeting part of it as much as I should. I'm still working on that. But, I LOVE the reports. I can very easily compare different time periods and it pulls over both my credit card and my checking account. I would just recommend the simplest version though, unless you actually want to use the tax part or investment part of the software. Neither of which I used.

I got my copy free with my laptop, however, I am considering upgrading because my bank changed names after 2004 came out and I can't seem to set up automatic downloading of my bank information.

I just really like being able to track my accounts on it. I did however read that some people don't like the fact that you have to have a MSN Passport in order to use it. But, I use MSN for my email so that wasn't a problem for me.

NoWayNovember · #7 (**permalink**) 05-08-2006, 07:43 PM

This isn't free, but the $19.99 is well worth it! http://mybudgetplanner.com/

This is what I use and I really love it.

It's more simple and not as flashy as MS Money or Quicken, but it gets the job done!

poundwise · #8 (**permalink**) 05-08-2006, 08:19 PM

FYI - You can buy MS Money standard at Wal-Mart for 9.93.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4245565

Haku · #9 (**permalink**) 05-09-2006, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poundwise

FYI - You can buy MS Money standard at Wal-Mart for 9.93.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4245565

Hey, that's a good deal!

eisor · #10 (**permalink**) 05-09-2006, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poundwise

FYI - You can buy MS Money standard at Wal-Mart for 9.93.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4245565

I'm glad you posted that!

Because I was going to get it for around $18!

veronak · #11 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 02:48 PM

Here try this :

http://www.msnusers.com/YourMoney/msgattachments/3849