favorite software for budgeting?

[mtemm]

dh and I have a resolution to get better at managing our money. we are thinking a money software...one that helps manage budgets, etc, would be useful. any suggestions?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I want this too!!! So anyone?

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Have you gone over to the budget board?

You will probably get a lot more responses over there. In fact, I think there are some current threads about this already.

 

[JessR]

excel

 

[LoraJ]

I use Microsoft Money and like it.
I use Quicken for my condo association and don't like it as much.

 

[EthansMom]

I use Excel.

A good tip for first starting a budget: Keep track of every $ you spend for a month or two... keep receipts and bills; write down anything for which you don't get a receipt. You'll get a real idea of where all your money is going and exactly how much you're spending. (I just put all of this into a big manilla envelope, writing on the reciept what it was for if the receipt wasn't clear, and then went through them all at one time.)

Then use, those numbers to find places to easily trim your spending. Some quick ones... decrease eating out, reduce or eliminate your cable t.v. package, get rid of extras like call waiting and caller i.d. on your telephone.

Once you've made some reductions in spending, you might consider using the extra breathing room in your finances to pay off debt (I recomment the Snowball Method), increase savings for your retirement, for the kids' college, and/or save for something special.

Good Luck!