What Budgeting Tools Do You Use? - Page 2

ajeh · 02-24-2008, 03:15 AM

I don't use any software but I do use clearcheckbook.com to keep track of my accounts. It's been very useful in helping me keep an updated record/register. I especially like the fact that I can enter transactions from my mobile phone.

I'll be starting a budget soon now that I have an idea of how much I spend.

Livingalmostlarge · 02-26-2008, 06:52 AM

Excel. I make my own budget, I also use pear budget that has a nice excel spreadsheet which was free, but this year they started charging. It's online and a more detailed tracking of spending, but really I hate paying for anything.

mydebtquest · 02-26-2008, 06:11 PM

I use a combination of Quicken and Excel. Since our "household" is just my wife and I, our spending is fairly constant and not very complicated. I enter all of our expenses in Quicken, and set up scheduled transactions for all of our monthly bills including some budgeted amounts - specifically groceries and fuel. I have a few excel spreadsheets to track debt payments and progress.

Quicken has a budget feature, but I'm not fond of the interface, and I find it easier to use the scheduled transactions.

MSMomsmoney · 02-27-2008, 11:00 AM

Im just starting to use Yodlee....Ill let you know how it goes...

evergreen · 02-27-2008, 11:48 AM

I use Excel. About 7+ years ago I built what I call a budget calendar. Looks just like a calendar - and you enter each income and expense item on the day its due. It allows me to see a running daily balance/projection of my account so I never need to worry about going in the red. Plus I can do what-if analysis. I've built in a report at the bottom that compares budget to actual for all of my categories.
The basic version is available on eBay if anyone wants to check it out. Its worked miracles for my husband and I.

Basic version on eBay for $3.95. Search for personal budget. Mine is called the EverGreen Budget Calendar & Cash Flow Mgmt System. (Tooting my own horn - ha!)

mbhunter · 03-01-2008, 07:57 PM

I've started to use Quicken. I also won a copy of You Need A Budget that I haven't cracked open yet.

gtwise · 03-03-2008, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Livingalmostlarge

I also use pear budget that has a nice excel spreadsheet which was free, but this year they started charging. It's online and a more detailed tracking of spending, but really I hate paying for anything.

Actually you can still find the original PearBudget spreadsheet free of charge on the official website. It is a really nicely made excel spreadsheet that would work for a lot of folks for simple budgeting. I would recommend this one to any new budgeters, although with multiple investment and 401(k) accounts and over a dozen of credit card accounts I still vote for Quicken as my tool.

http://www.pearbudget.com/spreadsheet/

Megan · 03-03-2008, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbhunter

I've started to use Quicken. I also won a copy of You Need A Budget that I haven't cracked open yet.

I highly recommend you crack that baby open! Every month, I love YNAB a little bit more.

Lynnae · 03-03-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megan

I highly recommend you crack that baby open! Every month, I love YNAB a little bit more.

That's how I feel too! When I first reviewed it in December, I still wasn't too sure about it. But now that I've been using it for a few months, I really love it. It's simple, yet effective.

I'm planning on doing another write up on my blog on Friday.

Lisa23 · 03-03-2008, 11:50 AM

Hi Lynnae,

My personal preference is a simple excel spreadsheet. It can't do all the things Quicken can do, but for a simple tracking budget you can perform math functions, etc.

I LOVE it! I even wrote an article about it on my blog-

Lisa
Greener Pastures:Personal Finance

02-26-2008, 06:52 AM	#12
Livingalmostlarge Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 35 Reputation: (10)	Excel. I make my own budget, I also use pear budget that has a nice excel spreadsheet which was free, but this year they started charging. It's online and a more detailed tracking of spending, but really I hate paying for anything. __________________ LivingAlmostLarge Blog

02-27-2008, 11:00 AM	#14
MSMomsmoney Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pacific NorthWest Posts: 42 Reputation: (13)	Im just starting to use Yodlee....Ill let you know how it goes... __________________ It's not about having what you want, It's about wanting what you have.

03-01-2008, 07:57 PM	#16
mbhunter Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 82 Reputation: (17)	I've started to use Quicken. I also won a copy of You Need A Budget that I haven't cracked open yet. __________________ Mighty Bargain Hunter

03-03-2008, 11:50 AM	#20
Lisa23 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 104 Reputation: (13)	Excel Spreadsheet Hi Lynnae, My personal preference is a simple excel spreadsheet. It can't do all the things Quicken can do, but for a simple tracking budget you can perform math functions, etc. I LOVE it! I even wrote an article about it on my blog- Lisa Greener Pastures:Personal Finance

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02-24-2008, 03:15 AM	#11
ajeh Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 22 Reputation: (11)	I don't use any software but I do use clearcheckbook.com to keep track of my accounts. It's been very useful in helping me keep an updated record/register. I especially like the fact that I can enter transactions from my mobile phone. I'll be starting a budget soon now that I have an idea of how much I spend.

02-26-2008, 06:11 PM	#13
mydebtquest Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 23 Reputation: (10)	I use a combination of Quicken and Excel. Since our "household" is just my wife and I, our spending is fairly constant and not very complicated. I enter all of our expenses in Quicken, and set up scheduled transactions for all of our monthly bills including some budgeted amounts - specifically groceries and fuel. I have a few excel spreadsheets to track debt payments and progress. Quicken has a budget feature, but I'm not fond of the interface, and I find it easier to use the scheduled transactions.

02-27-2008, 11:48 AM	#15
evergreen Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 7 Reputation: (11)	I use Excel. About 7+ years ago I built what I call a budget calendar. Looks just like a calendar - and you enter each income and expense item on the day its due. It allows me to see a running daily balance/projection of my account so I never need to worry about going in the red. Plus I can do what-if analysis. I've built in a report at the bottom that compares budget to actual for all of my categories. The basic version is available on eBay if anyone wants to check it out. Its worked miracles for my husband and I. Basic version on eBay for $3.95. Search for personal budget. Mine is called the EverGreen Budget Calendar & Cash Flow Mgmt System. (Tooting my own horn - ha!)