Personal Budgeting/Finance

» Shelley Elmblad - Ashok is not Enjoying the Sunset

I am using Quicken program from "DOS"version. Currently I have 2004 Deluxe. Quicken itself as a "great" and even "wonderful" program except with Intuit's sunset policy. The online quicken feature I can't live without is downloading stock/mutual fund quotes but to sell out $60 every third year seems bit much with slightly few improvements in program. So for now I am downloading quotes from yahoo finance and importing in Quicken. It's little bit extra work but I can live with it.

Having said above the good part of Quicken is at year end tax information. It does not take too much time for me to be ready to prepare and file the return.

All the other features of the program mainly the check / savings / credit card accounts are easy to maintain and gives up to date information about it. I do the manual entry for all my transactions and then reconcile with statements. This way I know if the problem arises then where and who is to blame for. In my opinion by downloading from the online accounts in Quicken is bad since one losses checks and balance control.

The other great feature that I like is the Retirement planner and cash forecasting. This has proved to be a very valuable tool for me. The budget feature is good and I do create and check to see how I am performing with my expenses. With this tool it gives me instantaneous information on spending habits.

Well if I am a lucky winner of 2007 Quicken deluxe then may be till 2010 I can download quotes and assets breakup for my portfolio.