My first question - Software

[JaneDough]

I've been using excel spreadsheets for years, a couple months ago, I migrated into an older version of QuickBooks that was given to me. Now, I'm scratching my head and wondering how I can do away with all the data entry. I ran across Mint.com and LOVE the idea, but am a little hesitant to give all my financial data online and have all that info in one place. I haven't ruled it out yet, but what I would prefer would be a desktop software that can do the same thing - sync with my bank accounts. Does anyone know of one, or use one?

Thanks,
JD

[Mr Nice Guy]

Ditch the quickbooks and get quicken.

You are going to have to give Quicken your account numbers and login information just like mint.com (same company makes them) so I would just get used to it.

[nalidixic]

I've been using excel spreadsheets for years, a couple months ago, I migrated into an older version of QuickBooks that was given to me. Now, I'm scratching my head and wondering how I can do away with all the data entry. I ran across Mint.com and LOVE the idea, but am a little hesitant to give all my financial data online and have all that info in one place. I haven't ruled it out yet, but what I would prefer would be a desktop software that can do the same thing - sync with my bank accounts. Does anyone know of one, or use one?

Thanks,
JD

Are you looking to track your whole entire budget (car payments, mortgage, etc) or just setup a spending budget to track (groceries, gas, entertainment) etc?

[Nightfly]

There are other budget planners out there that will let you upload your bank transactions into them, without your having to grant access to your accounts. (Including one that I developed.) You'll have to get used to just about all budget tools residing online - whether they require access to your accounts or not. As with so much software these days, "standalone" or locally installed budget software is going the way of the dinosaur. Having it locally installed is too much of a pain, anyway - why deal with it? At least an online app is updated constantly without you having to download and reinstall it yourself. Most online apps are free or dirt cheap as well.

[JaneDough]

Ditch the quickbooks and get quicken.

You are going to have to give Quicken your account numbers and login information just like mint.com (same company makes them) so I would just get used to it.

The issue for me isn't that it links to my online accounts as much as where that program that's doing the linking resides. I'm not an expert on privacy management, but it seems that having my information routed and stored on my desktop would be safer and more private than having it routed and stored on an online program. If anyone can explain why or why not this is so, I'd be interested in hearing.

As for Quicken, is the syncing process pretty seamless and perhaps similar to Mint in this regard? Also, I use quite a bit of detail when I categorize my purchases, for example, using more than one category for receipts with several purchases combined, can Quicken (or any software for hat matter) learn to automate my detailed categorizations?

Thanks.

[JaneDough]

Are you looking to track your whole entire budget (car payments, mortgage, etc) or just setup a spending budget to track (groceries, gas, entertainment) etc?

I do not have a mortgage and car is paid for but I do want to track my entire budget and whatever changes the future holds. I suppose I will be due an upgrade before I ever buy a home and such, however, I may dabble in investing in the near future.

[JaneDough]

There are other budget planners out there that will let you upload your bank transactions into them, without your having to grant access to your accounts. (Including one that I developed.) You'll have to get used to just about all budget tools residing online - whether they require access to your accounts or not. As with so much software these days, "standalone" or locally installed budget software is going the way of the dinosaur. Having it locally installed is too much of a pain, anyway - why deal with it? At least an online app is updated constantly without you having to download and reinstall it yourself. Most online apps are free or dirt cheap as well.

Believe me, the convenience alone of online financial software is enough to make me salivate. I'm just a little leery and trying not to throw caution to the wind!

I don't see why locally installed software would be such a pain if it is granted online access. Nowadays with remote access, there isn't anything that can't be taken mobile.

[snafu]

I've used Quicken since it became available. It's password protected and registered. Have you actually had someone steal information or gain access to your finances or stolen your identity? Do you personally know someone who had their identity stolen? The fact is your personal information is more at risk from your bank/financial institution or any government agency you may have dealt with.

How do you use the information you input in several categories? Accessing the information in the way you need it and use it would be important criteria in choosing software. So many people retain receipts and paperwork which is never needed nor looked at.