Personal Finance - What's your take?

[alksion]

I've tried a host of finance applications for both iOS and OSX. Some had things I liked, but most were missing critical features I needed.

After going through a lot of apps, I finally found You Need a Budget or popularly known as YNAB. I love this software! It has everything I was looking for, plus a great system to properly budget.

Just wanted to know what you guys are using and why it works for you, thanks.

 

[soloer]

I have used YNAB since Feb or so. It took me a while to get over paying so much for it, but I'm very happy I did. I'm not going to say I stick exactly to my budget each month, but it at least makes me more aware of what I'm doing with my money, which in turn helps me make better decisions.

 

[ugahairydawgs]

Use iBank to track accounts and sync back and forth between computer and phone. Budget is in a spreadsheet. None of the apps really did what I wanted on that front.

 

[Old Muley]

We used Quicken forever. About two years ago I started exploring other options such as iBank, YNAB and others since the version of Quicken we had didn't work under OSX.7 Lion. Several programs looked promising, but we ended up going with Quicken Essentials. Since my wife is the CFO, the final call was hers to make and Quicken Essentials was what she was comfortable with.

That being said, Essentials is a pale comparison of what Quicken used to be and what other products are...

 

[dspsbl]

Money iQ is best you can get for iOS. I'm an avid user for like 2+ years. Totally recommend for serious and usable setup. Hidden accounts is a great feature too. So is the design of the app. Try Lite - you won't regret it!

 

[cuestakid]

I fiddled with various mac based apps but ended up going back to quicken for windows by using vmware fusion (I already had fusion so i just had to get quicken)

 

[alksion]

I have used YNAB since Feb or so. It took me a while to get over paying so much for it, but I'm very happy I did. I'm not going to say I stick exactly to my budget each month, but it at least makes me more aware of what I'm doing with my money, which in turn helps me make better decisions.

Yeah, I understand it can be difficult to stick to your budget, but I am learning to live within my means. Tracking my money or knowing where it was going really did nothing for me. While it was beneficial in some ways, I never really saw myself spending less.

YNAB's system has been excellent and I'm happy to finally be following it. Thanks for the reply!

Use iBank to track accounts and sync back and forth between computer and phone. Budget is in a spreadsheet. None of the apps really did what I wanted on that front.

Interesting. YNAB has a budget view, which looks like a glorified spreadsheet. It's really cool. I've never used iBank before, but I'll be sure to check it out.

Thanks for the reply!

We used Quicken forever. About two years ago I started exploring other options such as iBank, YNAB and others since the version of Quicken we had didn't work under OSX.7 Lion. Several programs looked promising, but we ended up going with Quicken Essentials. Since my wife is the CFO, the final call was hers to make and Quicken Essentials was what she was comfortable with.

That being said, Essentials is a pale comparison of what Quicken used to be and what other products are...

I used Quicken originally and was severely disappointed with it only after a few short months. After exploring more options, I decided to stick with YNAB for now.

Thanks for the reply!

Money iQ is best you can get for iOS. I'm an avid user for like 2+ years. Totally recommend for serious and usable setup. Hidden accounts is a great feature too. So is the design of the app. Try Lite - you won't regret it!

Do they have a Mac app as well with cloud sync? I'll be sure to check it out regardless though!

Thanks for the reply!

I fiddled with various mac based apps but ended up going back to quicken for windows by using vmware fusion (I already had fusion so i just had to get quicken)

I agree, this is probably one of the best solutions. I have only one problem. The Quicken iOS app is a joke and makes using Quicken (on the go) almost unbearable.

I love the new YNAB app for iOS plus it has cloud sync!
Thanks for the reply!

 

[Wolfpup]

Not sure if it's bad to ask here, but I'm at least toying with the idea of switching back to a mac, but I'd really like a simple financial program if I do.

I've used Money 97 on Windows since 1996, and I love it. I tried Quicken on the Mac years ago and didn't like it. Even tried a newer version of Money and didn't like it as well.

I don't care about budgets or anything like that, I don't do online transaction, don't want it to do that. I just want something that's the equivalent of a check book, lets you put all your accounts in it and displays all your transactions, just something simple (and malware free )

 

[mic j]

Not sure if it's bad to ask here, but I'm at least toying with the idea of switching back to a mac, but I'd really like a simple financial program if I do.

I've used Money 97 on Windows since 1996, and I love it. I tried Quicken on the Mac years ago and didn't like it. Even tried a newer version of Money and didn't like it as well.

I don't care about budgets or anything like that, I don't do online transaction, don't want it to do that. I just want something that's the equivalent of a check book, lets you put all your accounts in it and displays all your transactions, just something simple (and malware free )

Sounds like Quicken Essentials might be good for you. It's basic and that is what most people complain about, so it might work for you.

 

[Wolfpup]

Sounds like Quicken Essentials might be good for you. It's basic and that is what most people complain about, so it might work for you.

Thanks! I see it's in the "App" store too. Not a fan of activation, but I bet the retail copy has it too, and so I'd sooner just use Apple's.

I may give it a shot

 

[mic j]

Thanks! I see it's in the "App" store too. Not a fan of activation, but I bet the retail copy has it too, and so I'd sooner just use Apple's.

I may give it a shot

I believe Quickens has a 30 day money back guarantee. Check before buying as it might be only if ordered through the Quicken site.

 

[Jessica Lares]

Still have Quicken on floppies, hahaha. I'm the one who does all the balancing now, my dad gave it up years ago. I think he used Microsoft Money at one point too.

I just use Money by Jumsoft and am playing with Chronicle which is just bill reminders. I like the notes and tagging feature in Money.

 

[Puonti]

I use a homemade spreadsheet in Open Office that does what I need and expands when I come up with new ideas.

 

[Gregg2]

... critical features I needed.

Just wanted to know what you guys are using and why it works for you, thanks.

Excel.
I know what I need better than some software developer. I set up my own spreadsheets, masters that I copy for each year. I make them do what I want them to do.

----------

I use a homemade spreadsheet in Open Office that does what I need and expands when I come up with new ideas.

There you go. I didn't scroll down to your post before I posted.

 

[alksion]

Excel.
I know what I need better than some software developer. I set up my own spreadsheets, masters that I copy for each year. I make them do what I want them to do.

To each their own. I'm pleased with the way my current finance app was developed. Has all the features that I need, plus room to expand and create if desired.

It's similar to an excel spread sheet, but more powerful and fluid in my opinion.

 

[TonyK]

OP, have you looked at MoneyDance? It has a Budget Manager. Don't confuse this with MS Money.

Use iBank to track accounts and sync back and forth between computer and phone. Budget is in a spreadsheet. None of the apps really did what I wanted on that front.

I have a system that also uses a spreadsheet for my budget and I use MoneyDance as my check register. It has worked for me for a long time and pre-dates my OS X days. There are tabs for the basic budget, one for my CC so I know what I've spent between billing periods (I pay in full each month) and even one for the home maint. budget.

 

[balticgreen]

OP, have you looked at MoneyDance?

I'm a former Quicken user who switched to MoneyDance and I am happy with it. The interface is not fancy but it works well. It has a trial period that is based on number of manual transactions rather than on a certain number of days. Downloaded and scheduled transactions don't count for the trial limitation so I actually used MoneyDance for nearly a year before I paid for it. That was PLENTY of time to try it out. Some other programs just give you 30 days and if you only pay bills once or twice a month, you don't get to use it much before the trial expires.

 

[mic j]

I'm a former Quicken user who switched to MoneyDance and I am happy with it. The interface is not fancy but it works well. It has a trial period that is based on number of manual transactions rather than on a certain number of days. Downloaded and scheduled transactions don't count for the trial limitation so I actually used MoneyDance for nearly a year before I paid for it. That was PLENTY of time to try it out. Some other programs just give you 30 days and if you only pay bills once or twice a month, you don't get to use it much before the trial expires.

I just downloaded MoneyDance a few hours ago and am going to give it a go. Fingers crossed!

 

[Gregg2]

To each their own. I'm pleased with the way my current finance app was developed. Has all the features that I need, plus room to expand and create if desired.

It's similar to an excel spread sheet, but more powerful and fluid in my opinion.

Well, yes, to each his own. But, isn't that what this thread is about? You wanted opinions. So that was understood.

I'm not sure what "more fluid" means, but I think that nothing is more "powerful" than something you can customize. Maybe some of these financial apps can be customized. I've never had the need to check into that.

I did look at some financial templates that came with a productivity suite many years ago. I decided that starting my own templates was just as easy, if not more so than trying to alter theirs.

 

[mizzouxc]

I use iBank and the Numbers built in spreadsheet, but modified to my liking.

 

[alksion]

Well, yes, to each his own. But, isn't that what this thread is about? You wanted opinions. So that was understood.

I'm not sure what "more fluid" means, but I think that nothing is more "powerful" than something you can customize. Maybe some of these financial apps can be customized. I've never had the need to check into that.

I did look at some financial templates that came with a productivity suite many years ago. I decided that starting my own templates was just as easy, if not more so than trying to alter theirs.

I was just referring to your statement that you knew what you needed for yourself more than what developers told you needed.

What I meant is that while you may know what you want, I do not. It helps having a nice lay out developed for me beforehand where I can customize to my likings from there on out.

 

[Fireproof!]

I've tried a host of finance applications for both iOS and OSX. Some had things I liked, but most were missing critical features I needed.

After going through a lot of apps, I finally found You Need a Budget or popularly known as YNAB. I love this software! It has everything I was looking for, plus a great system to properly budget.

Just wanted to know what you guys are using and why it works for you, thanks.

Tried others (came from MS Money, but they retired it, tried Quicken, tried iBank, tried Mint, etc)...

Landed on YNAB and LOVE IT!!

 

[alksion]

Tried others (came from MS Money, but they retired it, tried Quicken, tried iBank, tried Mint, etc)...

Landed on YNAB and LOVE IT!!

Awesome, good to hear. What do you like about it as opposed to others?

 

[Young Turk]

I'm a former Quicken user who switched to MoneyDance and I am happy with it. The interface is not fancy but it works well. It has a trial period that is based on number of manual transactions rather than on a certain number of days. Downloaded and scheduled transactions don't count for the trial limitation so I actually used MoneyDance for nearly a year before I paid for it. That was PLENTY of time to try it out. Some other programs just give you 30 days and if you only pay bills once or twice a month, you don't get to use it much before the trial expires.

Quicken Essentials if you need to print checks.

 

[Crazy Badger]

I was also a long-time user of Microsoft Money ('95 I think!) before switching to a Mac in 2008. Tried a few things, but settled on iCompta.

Although not as neat as MS Money for some things, over the last few years iCompta has introduced some of the missing features and is/was a pretty good alternative.

That said, iCompta has just received a major upgrade and the new version is terrible! Will be sticking with the old one and hoping the new version issues get resolved.

That said, just had a quick look at YNAB and it looks like something SWMBO would like so might have a try with that