For those of you who keep on top of all your spending - any certain program you like?

[kniquy]

I am interested in using some sort of program that helps to analyze/track your spending and where your money is going. I have seen some which will connect to credit cards and banks etc -- but i am not keen on providing that sort of access to a program that could be hacked. I guess something where you manually enter but provides an analysis it ideal.

If there is anything that you use and like please share.

 

[supersnoop]

I use Microsoft Money, which hasn't been sold in years but still seems to be supported by the larger banks.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=20738

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

I use You Need A Budget. It is a web based program. You can either link to bank accounts or manually enter all of your transactions so it could work for you. We link to our accounts because it doesn't store anything like account numbers. It is a zero-based budgeting program where you basically account for all of your money by prioritizing your spending goals. DH and I started using it last May and have since paid off all of our credit card debt and saved for big expenses. It has completely changed the way we view money. I learned about it on this forum so I know others will endorse it.

 

[kbr345]

Everydollar.com is a very useful tool!

 

[OrangeBirdGirl]

I have used Quicken for probably 10 years. I used to track everything. If I went to Target I would split my transaction into various categories such as $x to groceries, $x to cleaning supplies, $x to toiletries. I no longer go that far into detail. Since it remembers the stores you shop at and what category they are, my grocery store charge will default to groceries now. You are able to add your own categories.

You could easily do a snapshot of where your money goes in a certain timeframe and if you actually categorize your expenses you could see what goes to each area.

I don't link it to any of my bank accounts or credit cards. I use it to reconcile my statements each month.

 

[cruisnfamily]

I use quicken and love it!

Been using it for 15 years. It does download transactions from my bank accounts and credit cards too.

 

[Sadie22]

Quicken for over 25 years.

 

[elaine amj]

My wants:
- cross platform (we have iPhones and A Blackberry in the house)

- can access from multiple computers (not a deal breaker though)

- can do manual downloads (DH doesn't like the idea of connecting all our accounts). This one ruled out Mint which only allows auto downloads.

- can download so I can reconcile. I didn't want a program that relied only on manual input - I always find interesting things when I reconcile. Plus we do forget to input stuff.

After YOu Need a Budget switched to their new (more expensive) system, I tried and tried to find an alternative. Nothing which met my wants. So I am on a free trial now and expect to pay my subscription next month.

 

[MillauFr]

I've been using Quicken for 20+ years.

 

[Shmily1]

I agree with YNAB. I've used it for a while but still use YNAB4. It has great features and they use to give a DISboard discount if you messaged them about it. Not sure if they still do with the new system though.