Free Personal Budget Planner Easy Or Not
Q: I've been reading this group for the last couple of weeks because I'm thinking of a change/upgrade. I am currently using Quicken 1999 Deluxe and here's my question: My primary focus now has shifted to budgeting and debt reduction - are the new versions of either better at doing this then my current Quicken? Both components in my current version are a little lame. A few years ago I was using Money (97 or 98) and really liked the debt reduction planner it had. Also, will my Q1999 file upgrade easily to Q2001 or convert to M2001? I've read some posts about these the budgeting and debt reudctions in this group but would like to get feedback from someone who has used them both or if anybody is particularly pleased or disgusted with them.
A: As a *previous* quicken user, I have since switched to money 2001 and feel it is much better for planning. You will be amazed at the difference. I know they say that compared to Money 2000, 2001 is bad, but I have never used 2000 and have had no difficulty understanding how budgeting works. Perhaps those that say 2001 is "broken" actually mean it is just "different" than 2000. As for Money 2001, if you add a new scheduled bill it gets put into your budget automatically. After all, if your going to the Olive Garden every week, why wouldn't you want to include that weekly amount under your food budget? Likewise, you can tell your lifetime planner to calculate expected