Budget Software

[jeffery12]

I have tried intuit quickbooks and also sage. both are equally good.

[Pansori]

Currently I use Mint and Moneydance. I love Moneydance, it was the first budgeting program I used and several years later I find myself always falling back on it. That being said I have heard a lot about YNAB and am seriously considering it, but would love to hear more about what others say about it. My question is is it truly as effective with building cushions as it claims? I'm also such a creature of habit, I hate the idea of giving up my moneydance.

[NorthernCalGal]

I am a HUGE fan of Mvelopes -- it is subscription program ($13/month) and it downloads all your transactions in real time (once they've cleared your bank). Basically, you set up your Spending Plan (budget) and assign an amount to each virtual "Envelope" - every time you spend $ on something you drag and drop it to the Envelope and it debits it. You always know how much you have left for the month in each category. I never look at my checking balance, since if I have several thousand dollars in it I know some of it might be already allocated in other envelopes (like property taxes that I only pay twice a year). It is a great way to track and control your spending!