[Tengocity]

As a new year resolution type of thing I've decided to look into starting to use a good software package that allows me to track the family finances better.

Currently I just use a simple spreadsheet with a few sheets for current account, savings, investments, pensions and some future planning. But it's just not good enough anymore.

So I thought I'd get the thoughts of the wise and wealthy of this forum as to what they've used and would recommended?

So far something like money dashboard looks interesting along with something like Moneydance.

Thanks in advance!

[Gorsh]

I use a spreadsheet too, would be interested to see what others use nowadays. Years ago I looked at a couple of software packages but they wouldn't do what I wanted or were over complex. I run the family finances a bit like a business - every month money is allocated to each of our known expenditures (car fuel, electric, heating oil, house insurance, car insurance, etc.) so the money is there when bills come in, each is kept separate so we can see exactly how much we are spending and if we are under or over budget. This spreads the cost of all our bills over a year so no big bills on any particular month. There are always unexpected expenditures of course and we cover them as best we can at the time, sometimes spreading the cost over a few months. I hate paying interest so never borrow (except we did have a mortgage), instead plan ahead for big purchases like cars and save an amount each month towards it so the money is there when required.

Reading it through it sounds complex but it works really well for us. If there is a package out there that can be customised in a similar way then it might be better than my spreadsheet with complicated macros to look after.

[Tengocity]

The spreadsheet was fine when I was a single guy with simple finances... Now with all sorts to keep track of its just not up to it!

It's as much the idea of tracking various investments and pension, along with my mortgage to plan for moving house and retirement that I'm interested in, as well as the month to month stuff.

[Quakered]

No bloody use to you but I have been using Quicken for the last 21 years and for the last 11 without support (or updates!) from Quicken. I have searched for replacements (including Quicken US and MS Money) without success. The killer benefit of Quicken is that it has great investment management facilities. Nothing else seems to offer this at reasonable cost.

The killer benefit of these applications should be the ability to download financial transactions from your bank and stockbroker and hopefully remember the transaction types. (i.e. once you have told it Lidl is groceries it should record all future payment to said company as groceries)

If you are not intent on tracking investments I suspect you have lots of options. Here are a few you can try for free. http://financialsoft.about.com/od/ch...e_Software.htm

Might we worth starting with the free copy of MS Money

[Alkidrew]

I know what you mean but investments tend to be medium to long term so not sure the need to see them all in one portal. I use etrade for my shares, fidelity of my isas and just get a pension statement once a year. I'll have a look at the isas around April when the new year starts and have a look at the shares twice a year.

[jusdorange]

You really love a budget

Can't be that difficult to require a separate application, surely?

As in, what's wrong with an excel spreadsheet? What's lacking from that?

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by jusdorange

You really love a budget

Can't be that difficult to require a separate application, surely?

As in, what's wrong with an excel spreadsheet? What's lacking from that?

Yep, I make no apologies for being a planned and organised person in some aspects of my life!

[jusdorange]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Yep, I make no apologies for being a planned and organised person in some aspects of my life!

Yes that's fine

I just meant what exactly extra are you looking for? That can't be achieved with excel?

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by jusdorange

Yes that's fine

I just meant what exactly extra are you looking for? That can't be achieved with excel?

Automatic reports and analysis. Loner term planning tools. Ability to see my cash and investments in one place easily.

[Gorsh]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Automatic reports and analysis. Loner term planning tools. Ability to see my cash and investments in one place easily.

I'm not sure if something inexpensive exists for this, I expect a professional accounting package might but even if it would track investments it would be overkill for family expenses. Online banking is there to ensure the spreadsheet matches bank accounts.
I am happy to keep investment tracking separate (once a quarter I download valuations to my spreadsheet), online stockbroker and fund platform do all the tracking I need.

[pmgreenwood]

I have gone the reverse direction

I used Quicken then they abandoned the uk

I used MS Money then again support went.

I then failed to find equivalent software that one could use both on a PC and had an equivalent for now android smartphone.

I have developed my own spreadsheets except for investments where i now use the portfolio facility available to FT subscribers and as a check on my online stock brokers facility. There are some free online portflio programs available. I use taxcalc for tax return software and the spreadsheets i have established produce/collect the information that requires so by the tax year end it is all summarised.

I find it all works as well as quicken etc did except if I want graphs etc my spreadsheet skills need further development before it would get as slick as the proffessional software.

[dazzapb]

I've heard very good things about YNAB - its raved about on MSE etc, you have to pay and its a steep learning curve but very good training videos.

http://www.youneedabudget.com/

[Steve33]

Talking about something like this?
https://www.personalcapital.com/

EDIT: It has every single account I have on there (including BMWFS)

[Pablo68]

Bag of receipts and a good accountant.

[Pablo68]

Originally Posted by Steve33

Talking about something like this?
https://www.personalcapital.com/

EDIT: It has every single account I have on there (including BMWFS)

I'm sure stuff like this is great but frankly i'm buggered if i'm putting all my accounts on line.

[NitramA]

I've been using Moneydance for a couple of years.
http://moneydance.com
Works on Windows, Mac and Linux plus you can also sync with IOS and Android using Dropbox.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by NitramA

I've been using Moneydance for a couple of years.
http://moneydance.com
Works on Windows, Mac and Linux plus you can also sync with IOS and Android using Dropbox.

This one got a good review in which magazine- sounded very complex/powerful but worth the effort in the long term?

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by dazzapb

I've heard very good things about YNAB - its raved about on MSE etc, you have to pay and its a steep learning curve but very good training videos.

http://www.youneedabudget.com/

This also got a great review in which magazine though I don't think it's so good for investments.

Probably worth trying a couple of they have free trials and see how they are.

[Tom Tallon]

As above, I used MS Money 2003 for years and then moved to Windows 8 this year so it went. Like others I now use EXCEL spreadsheets for investments and budgeting.

To be helpful I do recall seeing one of the weekend papers in the last few weeks had a question on this and suggested a MS new product - sorry I'm beggared if I can remember its name but perhaps a judicious Google phrase will bring it up. Best of luck!

[ipilcher]

I've been using GnuCash (on Linux) for years. If you understand the principles of double-entry accounting, it can't be beat for the price.

[rocketretro]

I used MSMoney for years and when support ended and incompatibility with Windows 8, it coincided with me changing from a PC to a Mac. I was thrown into an absolute quandary, searched and tried out a good many packages before deciding to go with Moneydance, you just have to persist as it is different than Money, it does get easier and better in many respects than Money or Quicken. If you have a share portfolio it would be better to leave it within a free app from a broker as I do. It is as an earlier post said compatible with 'Dropbox' so can be viewed and updated via your mobile or iPad/equivalent which is extremely useful.

[Steve33]

Originally Posted by Pablo68

I'm sure stuff like this is great but frankly i'm buggered if i'm putting all my accounts on line.

It's actually relatively secure - uses two factor authentication which is nice, the initial setup sucks but it's nice being able to see all of your finances in real time on your computer and on mobile.

Also it doesn't use Dropbox (which I trust with very little in terms of security)