Personal finance software

Stan_Lite · 29-04-2010, 09:17

I need to sort out my finances. I'm hopeless with money and keep getting myself in trouble and messing things up. I think some sort of budget software would help me but I'm not sure which would be best.

I'm looking for something basic. I only have two bank accounts with all of my regular outgoings covered by direct debits/standing orders. I don't have a fixed salary, I have a fixed daily rate, so the ability for it to calculate my monthly earnings from the number of days I work would be an advantage but not essential.

Anybody have any suggestions? Free would be nice, if not, the cheaper the better.

Wossi · 29-04-2010, 09:20

I just use a spreadsheet in excel, not sure how much it helps but it's nice to see how much I should have free every month.

Stan_Lite · 29-04-2010, 09:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wossi

I just use a spreadsheet in excel, not sure how much it helps but it's nice to see how much I should have free every month.

I thought about that but I thought that if I could pick up free or cheap, purpose built software, I might find it easier.

vix · 29-04-2010, 11:52

I don't know of anything for personal finances. I too use Excel.

Will · 29-04-2010, 11:55

I use excel as well. It took a little while to setup (i.e. setting up regular, incoming/outgoing, and taking the initiative to keep receipts, cross check them on my statement etc...).

If you use an iphone I have a good bit of software called "account tracker" wasn't too expensive, and means every time I spend money I type it in, then upload it to my spreadsheet monthly which makes reconciling more simple.

I've had to do that owing to the different bank accounts I have (in different countries too). I don't like being ignorant about my money!

LeperousDust · 29-04-2010, 12:43

These probably won't help but i read them recently...
http://www.downloadsquad.com/2010/04...business-soho/

vix · 29-04-2010, 13:20

From looking at those, DSbudget looks the best thing for the job.

Anything that's aimed at businesses will have to have ledgers set up and sorted out which is lots of hassle for a personal program!

Joe 90 · 29-04-2010, 13:46

I used to use MS Money, worked great for importing statements that I could export from my online banking app. It was really good, and showed spending over time in various chart forms to help keep track of things etc.

Yesterday I was watching BBC Click who had a feature on mint.com - looked like a decent application providing you dont mind storing details in the cloud, but I had a look at it and it seemed as though its US only. Made me wonder why the BBC had such a big feature on it at that point, but maybe I was missing something :/

Daz · 29-04-2010, 15:02

Not used it personally but I know of GNUCash. It's open source so at least worth a look

Big list of free ones here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...nting_software

LeperousDust · 29-04-2010, 15:45

Kublax was also good until they lost funding and shut down

What i really want is a bank with a DECENT mobile internet website, nicely coded and lightweight, and maybe even mobile friendly or have a separate decent mobile website. I've yet to see one though. They're all convoluted and terrible

When will they learn!?

29-04-2010, 09:17	#1
Stan_Lite Stan, Stan the FLASHER MAN! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In bed with your sister Posts: 5,483	Personal finance software I need to sort out my finances. I'm hopeless with money and keep getting myself in trouble and messing things up. I think some sort of budget software would help me but I'm not sure which would be best. I'm looking for something basic. I only have two bank accounts with all of my regular outgoings covered by direct debits/standing orders. I don't have a fixed salary, I have a fixed daily rate, so the ability for it to calculate my monthly earnings from the number of days I work would be an advantage but not essential. Anybody have any suggestions? Free would be nice, if not, the cheaper the better. __________________ Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean I...

29-04-2010, 11:52	#4
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	I don't know of anything for personal finances. I too use Excel. __________________

29-04-2010, 11:55	#5
Will BBx woz 'ere :P Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 2,147,487,208	I use excel as well. It took a little while to setup (i.e. setting up regular, incoming/outgoing, and taking the initiative to keep receipts, cross check them on my statement etc...). If you use an iphone I have a good bit of software called "account tracker" wasn't too expensive, and means every time I spend money I type it in, then upload it to my spreadsheet monthly which makes reconciling more simple. I've had to do that owing to the different bank accounts I have (in different countries too). I don't like being ignorant about my money! __________________ *No No!*

29-04-2010, 12:43	#6
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	These probably won't help but i read them recently... http://www.downloadsquad.com/2010/04...business-soho/ __________________

29-04-2010, 13:20	#7
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	From looking at those, DSbudget looks the best thing for the job. Anything that's aimed at businesses will have to have ledgers set up and sorted out which is lots of hassle for a personal program! __________________

29-04-2010, 09:20	#2
Wossi Absinthe Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: In the middle Posts: 1,385	I just use a spreadsheet in excel, not sure how much it helps but it's nice to see how much I should have free every month.

29-04-2010, 13:46	#8
Joe 90 Absinthe Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chester Posts: 2,345	I used to use MS Money, worked great for importing statements that I could export from my online banking app. It was really good, and showed spending over time in various chart forms to help keep track of things etc. Yesterday I was watching BBC Click who had a feature on mint.com - looked like a decent application providing you dont mind storing details in the cloud, but I had a look at it and it seemed as though its US only. Made me wonder why the BBC had such a big feature on it at that point, but maybe I was missing something :/ __________________ 360 Blog \| Join GiffGaff \| Twitter

29-04-2010, 15:02	#9
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	Not used it personally but I know of GNUCash. It's open source so at least worth a look Big list of free ones here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...nting_software __________________ apt-get moo

29-04-2010, 15:45	#10
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	Kublax was also good until they lost funding and shut down What i really want is a bank with a DECENT mobile internet website, nicely coded and lightweight, and maybe even mobile friendly or have a separate decent mobile website. I've yet to see one though. They're all convoluted and terrible When will they learn!? __________________