I guess all Mint does is download your account info from your bank's website. It does give you the option to assign categories to your transactions but you cannot print any reports that are sorted by categories so there really isn't much point. Add to it that you can't manually enter a transaction such as that check you wrote to the water company that won't clear for a week and a half and the site really isn't a reliable replacement for an actual checkbook. So . . .
I am wondering if any of you out there use an online checkbook program that works well for you. I have always used Microsoft Money for my finances but that is tied to my home PC and isn't much use to me whenever I am away from home.
It would be nice if I could just log on from any computer and manage my checkbook . . .
Just throwing it out there!
2 comments:
Matt -
I actually created a spreadsheet (much more complex than a check book register in fact) that tracks everything for us. I did have it in excel but transferred it to google docs about 6 months ago. I can access that anywhere.
Of course it took time to create it but it works beautifully for us - we never forget a bill because it's already programmed in and it's easy to pop something in that was unexpected. It also projects out our income/expenses as far in the future as I'd like it to go (I typically do a year).
With that said, I don't keep track of "categories" in this spreadsheet - my bank does that for me and all I have to do is download the report.
I never found quicken or money to bet what I wanted - I didn't just want a check register, I wanted forecasting capabilities.
I don't like giving my bank account info out. I tried doing a spreadsheet but when I looked back on it I still had problems telling WHY I paid for something.
I started a blogger account for finances and I love it. On the side I keep little lists of what the budget is for each check we get, what are debts are and how far we've come on paying them. Then for entries I narrate the details. Like "paid $300 on amex card from the $306 that we were reimbursed for work expenses. Remaining $6 went into short term savings account since card was then fully paid off." Otherwise I'll log into my bank account and wonder "Where did this extra $306 come from and why did I only pay off $300 on the card from it?"
Usually I am very much a spreadsheet kind of person but for finances I find the narrative way keeps me more aware of what is going on and is more helpful when I look back a month from now.
I'll open it up to you if you want to see. I have some online finance buddies that keep me on track and give advice and vice-verse. It is pretty helpful and I feel it is safer than giving out my bank account info.
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