In 1993, I purchased my first personal computer.
One of my first installations was a dos-based version of Quicken. Thus began a relationship that has lasted thirteen years, to this point.
While not without its quirks and annoyances (like your best friend), the fact is that Quicken continues to be the undisputed leader in personal financial software. Quicken 2006 carries the torch admirably in this regard.
What makes Quicken the best? First of all, its ubiquitousness. If your bank is allowing you to download transactions automatically, it MIGHT support Microsoft Money. It probably won’t support Moneydance. But it absolutely, positively WILL support Quicken.
And the fact is that you can get yourself a copy of this comprehensive financial package for $29.95, and that, my friends, is a bargain.
The version I’m running, Premier Home and Business, retails for $79.99. If you need the business aspects of the software, you will no doubt be able to deduct this amount.
So why does Quicken rock? Well, if you’re used to balancing your bank account with a pencil and paper, you know the process can take an hour or more.
With Quicken’s built-in online banking, it takes seconds.
I have accounts at two banks, one that offers Quicken downloads, one that doesn’t. Even the more Luddite of the two still allows me to balance my account in a matter of minutes by manually viewing my cleared transactions online.
And come taxtime, Quicken will swiftly generate whatever reports you need to accurately file your return. Most tax software will communicate directly with your Quicken records.
The quirks? Well, unfortunately, it tries to sell you more. The link to see your free credit report and credit score is persistently present at the bottom of the main screen, while links to upgrade your Quicken version appear at the same location on many other views.
But the fact is that you get incredible financial advice and statistics for less than a hundred bucks. Personally, I’m willing to overlook the small annoyances of discrete ads to get thirteen years of well-organized financial data.
http://www.quicken.com