Personal Finance Apps - TODAY!

[Nugget]

No, I think you've got it exactly right, DaveF. Mint is just a way to view all your various account pages all in one place. You can't actually /do/ anything with it.

Like, it's the 14th of the month today and I've already written the check for my mortgage payment due on the 1st. There's no way to make mint reflect the "real" balance in my checking account, though, and I have to just remember that the balance that mint shows is inaccurately higher than it really is, because mint won't know that my mortgage check exists until it clears the bank.

Later this week I'll probably get my AmEx bill and when I do I'll pay it as well. But mint won't know that my account balance is that much lower for 2-3 weeks when the check finally clears.

And as bad as mint is for looking ahead just 2-3 weeks, it's even worse if you want to plan ahead a year or two. All the fancy trending graphs and projections that a Quicken user is accustomed to seeing just don't exist at all in mint (or -- to be fair -- yodlee or any of the other online financial websites).

I can't see how mint is acceptable for anyone unless their financial life is ridiculously simple and unchanging.

 

[eclipse525]

I can't see how mint is acceptable for anyone unless their financial life is ridiculously simple and unchanging.

I hear this a lot of many other forums. The potential is there for Mint.com but it's far from a solid all around solution. In fact, there doesn't seem to be many solid choices on the Mac. The best choices are on the Windows platform. However, with the choices available at the moment, "iBank", "Checkbook Pro" and "MoneyDance" seem to be the only serious contenders.

I hear that YNAB is releasing a Mac compatible version and it's suppose to be a very good application. Has anybody heard anything about this app.?


~e

 

[ahasver]

Mony by jumsoft

Did anybody try Money by Jumsoft. I have been using it for the last couple of months and I really like it and they even have an iphone version.
Check it out

I hear this a lot of many other forums. The potential is there for Mint.com but it's far from a solid all around solution. In fact, there doesn't seem to be many solid choices on the Mac. The best choices are on the Windows platform. However, with the choices available at the moment, "iBank", "Checkbook Pro" and "MoneyDance" seem to be the only serious contenders.

I hear that YNAB is releasing a Mac compatible version and it's suppose to be a very good application. Has anybody heard anything about this app.?


~e

 

[eclipse525]

Did anybody try Money by Jumsoft. I have been using it for the last couple of months and I really like it and they even have an iphone version.

Wow... "Money3" looks like a complete application. Many people have positive things to say about Money by Microsoft and apparently this app is loosely based on it. I would love to hear what other think about this application. Seems pretty complete to me BUT I haven't use it yet. Anybody?

 

[ahasver]

trial

correct if i am wrong but i think there is a free trial for money 3. At least it used to be. There is also the free buddy but that is really for the people who want something free.

Wow... "Money3" looks like a complete application. Many people have positive things to say about Money by Microsoft and apparently this app is loosely based on it. I would love to hear what other think about this application. Seems pretty complete to me BUT I haven't use it yet. Anybody?

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

What is the free buddy?

 

[ahasver]

Buddi

A finance programm and I missspelled it. Here it is http://buddi.digitalcave.ca/

 

[sparkomatic]

I've been checking out some of the apps mentioned in this thread but can't seem to find one with a register that's just like Quicken's. I'm trying to sort by cleared status and then date but most of these don't do that. Has anyone come across a mac app that sorts by multiple columns (such as cleared status and then date)?

I'm using Quicken on Parallels right now and it's the only reason I still have Windows on my mac. Would love to get rid of it though.

Oh, and another weird thing with the mac programs I've tried. I can download my transactions just fine from Quicken but when I've tried to setup iBank and Moneywell, it keeps rejecting my username/password with the bank. Strange....

 

[eclipse525]

I've been checking out some of the apps mentioned in this thread but can't seem to find one with a register that's just like Quicken's. I'm trying to sort by cleared status and then date but most of these don't do that. Has anyone come across a mac app that sorts by multiple columns (such as cleared status and then date)?

From what I understand Quicken 2010 is being release later this fall for the Mac. Also, the even better "YNAB Pro" for the Mac, is also suppose to be released this fall. I've been keeping my eye on "YNAB Pro" since it seems to be the best of the bunch.

Oh, and another weird thing with the mac programs I've tried. I can download my transactions just fine from Quicken but when I've tried to setup iBank and Moneywell, it keeps rejecting my username/password with the bank. Strange....

You might have to call your bank and request that they set up your accounts for OFX/Direct Connect access. This seems to be a different user name and password then your regular one you use to sign into your banks website.

 

[sparkomatic]

From what I understand Quicken 2010 is being release later this fall for the Mac. Also, the even better "YNAB Pro" for the Mac, is also suppose to be released this fall. I've been keeping my eye on "YNAB Pro" since it seems to be the best of the bunch.

You might have to call your bank and request that they set up your accounts for OFX/Direct Connect access. This seems to be a different user name and password then your regular one you use to sign into your banks website.

Thanks. Quicken 2007 for the mac was such a disappointment, I'm not holding my breath for 2010 to be any better. But, I guess I'll have to wait and see.

Yeah, I figured I might have to call my bank. All these programs say tell them you're using Quicken and I'm using Quicken now successfully. Oh well, maybe I'll give them a call cause of the OFX thing. Thanks!

 

[nigameash]

hmm wow, quicken 2010 may not be such a big disappointment as they did delay it to fix issues with it, hopefully they ve learned something from the last version

 

[Angelo95210]

Mint.com is all you need. Period.

Yeah, if you are from US it's a great service I have heard

I love the simple and robust open source application Grisbi
http://www.grisbi.org/download.en.html

 

[mac poster 9999]

I love the simple and robust open source application Grisbi
http://www.grisbi.org/download.en.html

Huh? Grisbi is not even a Mac product.

I've been looking for a program since moving to apple in 2004.
So far nothing. Lots of programs for students or simple stuff like mint for tracking expenses.

Not much out there if you are interested in your net worth and have a mortage, investments and want to see how your bank account looks in a few weeks.

Moneydance looks like it might come close but it doesn't look like a Mac program. Which is a weak excuse but I use the program a lot and I want to like it.

Nothing has been able to tempt me away from running MS Money in VirtualBox. I don't like it but so far it is the best solution.

Some people in my family have moved to You Need a Budget and love it.
It strikes me as a very good tracking/budgeting software.

I want reporting and mortgage calculation etc. I want to be able to enter a transaction before it clears so that I know it is coming and plan for it. Most of the programs do not allow you to schedule a transaction to be entered before the clear date. This stops you from seeing regular, expected payments. My mortage payment and salary come on schedule I should be able to see their affect weeks in advance.

I don't think it is too much to ask to have a mac program that gives the functionality of Quicken or MS Money but the developers, including Quicken's upcoming Quicken for Mac 2010 (February) think everyone wants a very simple expense tracker.

I want to set up a budget, track my expenses and see how I am doing against the budget. I want to watch my net worth grow (I hope).

DaveF you sound like you are in the same boat. Good luck!

 

[DaveF]

Nothing has been able to tempt me away from running MS Money in VirtualBox. I don't like it but so far it is the best solution.
[...]
DaveF you sound like you are in the same boat. Good luck!

Misery loves company!

If CrossOver supported Quicken or Money, that would be an improvement over having to fully "boot" Parallels / Windows. (but it doesn't)

 

[eclipse525]

Well... MS Money is basically discontinued being that Microsoft is not going to support it. I'm sure it's a fine program but knowing you have support and updates to keep up with changing times is extremely import.

YNAB Pro is probably the way to go, once it's released on the Mac.

BUT I have to say, applications like iBank and Money3 have GREAT support and although they may not have all the features, it's just a matter of time when add them. If you visit, their forums, the developers are very active and really try to help out.

 

[richpjr]

Well... MS Money is basically discontinued being that Microsoft is not going to support it. I'm sure it's a fine program but knowing you have support and updates to keep up with changing times is extremely import.

YNAB Pro is probably the way to go, once it's released on the Mac.

BUT I have to say, applications like iBank and Money3 have GREAT support and although they may not have all the features, it's just a matter of time when add them. If you visit, their forums, the developers are very active and really try to help out.

I don't know about these companies specifically, but I'm kind of leery about trusting some of these small startups. They may get bored and drop support. Who knows what kinds of things (again, not directed at anyone) they could steal.

 

[iggypop]

notes on iBank

Not much out there if you are interested in your net worth and have a mortage, investments and want to see how your bank account looks in a few weeks.

I'm not sure how recently you may have checked out iBank, but it readily handles investments, loans, scheduled payments and forecasting.

I don't know about these companies specifically, but I'm kind of leery about trusting some of these small startups. They may get bored and drop support.

Independent developers do come and go, but forgive me if I'm a little defensive here. IGG, publisher of iBank, has been around for six years, has a full staff, offers multiple products, releases regular updates and has a reputation for great support. Given that Intuit is a public company, with 8000 employees and doing $3 billion annually, you could stick with Quicken - but it doesn't seem their size has guaranteed much in the way of customer satisfaction.

 

[richpjr]

Independent developers do come and go, but forgive me if I'm a little defensive here. IGG, publisher of iBank, has been around for six years, has a full staff, offers multiple products, releases regular updates and has a reputation for great support. Given that Intuit is a public company, with 8000 employees and doing $3 billion annually, you could stick with Quicken - but it doesn't seem their size has guaranteed much in the way of customer satisfaction.

iggypop, as I tried to point out that this was not directed at any specific company. For obvious reasons, we all should be very careful about who we trust with our financial data. I am currently using Microsoft Money in a virtual machine, mainly because I've used it for years and am on auto-pilot as far as how and what I am currently doing. Since their support is ending and the verisions of Quicken on the Mac have been huge disappointments, I am considering native Mac replacements, including iBank.

 

[iggypop]

iggypop, as I tried to point out that this was not directed at any specific company.

thanks, i understood that - i think my reply was directed toward other readers of this thread, not yourself. anyway, whenever you're ready, i hope iBank suits your needs. we'll be there.

 

[mac poster 9999]

I'm not sure how recently you may have checked out iBank, but it readily handles investments, loans, scheduled payments and forecasting.

I check it regularly and unless I am wrong (and I am open to being corrected) iBank does not allow me to schedule my mortgage payment to get auto-posted to the register 14 days (or whatever) before being due, without my intervention.

I have a number of regular bills and payments. I want to set them up to be posted to the register before they are due, dated the day they are due, without me having to confirm each one. I want to see how known bills affect my projected balance 2-4 weeks ahead of time. Same for my pay.

If iBank can do that I will try it out for the 4th time. The iBank forums state that this is not a current feature.

Also "handling loans" is not always the same as what users of quicken and MS money are looking for. Treating a mortgage account like any other liability account where I need to update the payment amount (interest vs principle) is not enough. I would like the program to take in my mortgage details (or loan details) and calculate the principle and interest for each payment.

Again, I would be thrilled if iBank can do these calculations.

 

[Bear Hunter]

iFinance

Haven't seen it mentioned and I think it's pretty good.

http://www.synium.de/products/ifinance/index.html

 

[DaveF]

Also "handling loans" is not always the same as what users of quicken and MS money are looking for. Treating a mortgage account like any other liability account where I need to update the payment amount (interest vs principle) is not enough. I would like the program to take in my mortgage details (or loan details) and calculate the principle and interest for each payment.

Again, I would be thrilled if iBank can do these calculations.

Can you expand on that? Seeing this, I checked the iBank forums and my impression, without having used it, is that iBank does calculate principle and interest for loan and mortgage payments.

If not...well, I'd consider that table stakes, computing per-payment principle & interest, for a home finance program.

 

[mac poster 9999]

Can you expand on that? Seeing this, I checked the iBank forums and my impression, without having used it, is that iBank does calculate principle and interest for loan and mortgage payments.

Hi DaveF, you are correct the site says that and the program does seem to calculate this items. So at a basic level I was wrong.

I do think it is not flexible enough (or I may not know how to use it). It wants you to enter all the information. So if you come to the table knowing the amortization time period and its effect on your monthly time period you are good.

If you know only your interest rate, payment amount and payment frequency that's not enough. The program doesn't appear to go the next step. So for example, recently I called my bank and said I'd like to raise my weekly payment by $40. I have no idea the effect on the # of payments. I know they go down. It looks to me as though without this information I cannot enter the change in iBank and have it do the re-calculations.

I'm not here to bash iBank I want to like it so much, and I can accept that maybe I'm just too caught in how MS Money or Quicken did things but I am used to the software helping me out a bit more.

Download iBank and check it out. Download takes maybe 5 minutes, then open it and try to enter your mortgage information. See what the results are. It's very possible that I'm just missing something or wanting the program to work the way I am used to.

 

[eclipse525]

I noticed that iBank runs about $60. Meanwhile "Money 3" and "Moneydance" are around $40. Is iBank worth the extra $20 bucks? iBank is closer to Quicken pricing.

 

[smg77]

I noticed that iBank runs about $60. Meanwhile "Money 3" and "Moneydance" are around $40. Is iBank worth the extra $20 bucks? iBank is closer to Quicken pricing.

I just bought iBank and they are currently running a rebate offer if you have purchased Quicken or MS Money you can get $20 back so the cost would only be $40.

So far I'm very happy with iBank--very easy to set up and download from my bank.