You Need a Budget (old, price, money)

[Pansori]

Anyone try this software? I have used MoneyDance since the summer of 2002. Only reason I remember that is because I wrote a review of it on Amazon. It was a simple alternative to Quicken at the time. I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. And yet 10 years later I am still using it.

I think I want something a little more in depth now. Something that will help me manage my budget at the same time help me track my savings/spending. I don't need anything too fancy, that tracks stocks, bonds 401k, etc. I also don't need anything to help me out of debt. I just need something that will track banking/savings and credit cards (we use and pay in full 1 credit card every month).


I've heard positive things about YNAB. Has anyone used it?



What budgeting program do you use, do you like it, what are the pros/cons, and did you pay for it?



Also looking for a spiffy iphone app as well.
Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Just spoke with my boyfriend, and he is interested in an open source program. Thanks!

[Pitt Chick]

Is there a reason you don't like Quicken?

I have been using it since the days of DOS....

[onceahogalwaysahog]

I use MoBill ,doesn't roll over the balance from month to month but free app

[Bakeneko]

I've tried various software progarms over the years - I'm like you , we don't have any debt just an American Express card we pay off each month, some retirement and investment accounts, etc

Anyway, I always end up back to paper and pencil, LOL. I use an regular old accounting journal from Office Depot. My spouse has no time for or interest in "doing the bills" - I just leave the journal in his office so he can take a peek at it from time to time to see where we're at.

[Info Guy]

I use Yodlee Money Center.

There is also Mint.

[chuck_steak]

I use any spreadsheet program that I have available at the time. It just takes making cells and putting in formulas. Every time we want to save or need to trim the fat I put all the bills into a spreadsheet and see where we can trim. it always feels good to do a little better job of trimming each month. also, it good to see where you're at from time to time.

[yuritoad]

I use YNAB and I love it. I have only used it about 4 mos, but it has really helped me. Very easy to use, easy to make changes, lots of support materials about budgeting and what the software can do. I felt it was well worth the price. There is a free trial too, so you can see if it works well for you.

[jtur88]

No, not if you are a card-carrying frugal you don't need a budget. You are already living on less than your income.

I have my Social Security income deposited to my checking account. I pay all living expenses from that. When the balance goes over about $2,500, I donate about a thousand to some worthy cause, to keep the balance between 1500-2500..

Everything except rent check is charged to credit card, which I pay in full every month. Not only do they loan me money at zero interest and give me cash back on my purchases, but they send me a paper statement every month of everything I spent. Killer system -- highly recommended.

[Pansori]

Pitt Chick, to answer your question, I was much younger when I got into finances, and was also new to computers. At the time I found Quicken to be overwhelming. I am sure I can manage it just fine now, so I suppose it is a prejudice that carried over from youth that I never considered Quicken.

I have also tried going back to paper and pen, but I am just way to adjusted to the computer at this point. I will have to look at Yodlee, never heard of it.

Originally Posted by jtur88

No, not if you are a card-carrying frugal you don't need a budget.

Hmm, well I beg to differ... it's been my experience that everyone needs some sort of budget, whether or not they are a card carrying frugal. I am actually excellent at budgeting for my bills and savings, YNAB software was just one program I had heard quite a few good reviews about.

Yuritoad, I did download the trial version, but our finances are kind of in an upheaval right now. We're in the process of switching banks. I moved all of our savings and deposited one check into the new account, but I still have quite a bit in the old, and I'm still paying bills out of that one. I'm working on getting everything moved over, and want to start with a clean slate.

[HomeHuntress]

I just use an Excel spreadsheet. It's saved on Google Docs so my husband and I can access it whenever and whenever we need it.