MS Money: Anyone using it?

[Londo]

I am thinking of switching from Quicken, which I have used for years, to MS Money. Quicken has messed with the download file format OFX and called it QFX. Then they require banks to pay a fee to offer this format to their customers. Needless to say, Quicken won't accept OFX files. Many banks in the US have paid Quicken for this but I don't see Standard Bank doing so.

If I switch to MS Money I can download my account info in the OFX format into MS Money.

Anyone got any experience with MS Money or suggestions?

 

[wab512]

I use MS Money and find it to be quite good. My only problem is that I take too long to update it. I download the OFC files from Absa and that imports into MS Money without any problems. Can't say if it is better than Quicken, but it works for me.

 

[cjm]

I'm still using Money 2000, and using the .QIF file format for exporting from SB into Money. It works OK for me.

I've been looking for a newer version of Money - one where you can customize your invoices, but it seems only the American flavour is available for the latest version, and no international version yet.

 

[Ou grote]

I use MS Money and find it to be quite good. My only problem is that I take too long to update it. I download the OFC files from Absa and that imports into MS Money without any problems. Can't say if it is better than Quicken, but it works for me.

I tried Quicken for windows and mac.
Didn't like it at all.

Using MS money 2007 and also ABSA, works great.

I'm still using Money 2000, and using the .QIF file format for exporting from SB into Money. It works OK for me.

I've been looking for a newer version of Money - one where you can customize your invoices, but it seems only the American flavour is available for the latest version, and no international version yet.

U have to import it, the last international version u can get here is 2005.

If u upgrade to a later version (Not compatible), you're going to have to export your accounts separately and then import them to the new version.
Will take about a day to do.

 

[MielieSpoor]

Have a look at MS Office Accounting. There is a free version available and also more advaced version which you have to pay for. Don't know how it compares to Quicken or Money but it looks good!

Microsoft Office Accounting 2007 edition comparison

 

[xrapidx]

Been using it since 2002 through all the versions from Money 2000 and currently running 2007... although I didn't notice much difference between 2006 and 2007, not sure if 2008 is any better.

 

[Ou grote]

Been using it since 2002 through all the versions from Money 2000 and currently running 2007... although I didn't notice much difference between 2006 and 2007, not sure if 2008 is any better.

2008 called plus now, u can get a trial version, but nothing really new.

Think 2006 introduced the lifetime planner, which is interesting, but not accurate, me thinks.
About every 3rd year its worthwhile upgrading, unless u use all the online features.

 

[xrapidx]

2008 called plus now, u can get a trial version, but nothing really new.

Think 2006 introduced the lifetime planner, which is interesting, but not accurate, me thinks.
About every 3rd year its worthwhile upgrading, unless u use all the online features.

Nah...only use the account specific features, and manual investment tracking... oh, and home inventory, helps for insurance.

 

[Ou grote]

Nah...only use the account specific features, and manual investment tracking... oh, and home inventory, helps for insurance.

They don't have the JSE or our unit trust prices, so I also have to do man updates.
Net worth over time is my fav report.

 

[xrapidx]

They don't have the JSE or our unit trust prices, so I also have to do man updates.
Net worth over time is my fav report.

Yeah... makes a pretty graph.. my lowest was -R75,000 in 2006

 

[cjm]

U have to import it, the last international version u can get here is 2005.

If u upgrade to a later version (Not compatible), you're going to have to export your accounts separately and then import them to the new version.
Will take about a day to do.

I had a look on the website at Money Plus, but if you download a trial version it says it's only the US version (no international version available according to the website), and if you open your international data file into this US version, you can not use the data file again in a future intl version. This put me off a little.

I gave it a try on a copied data file a few weeks back, but I remember there was a bit of a hassle creating new accounts with the list of US banks showing up.
Customizing feature of invoices seemed nice though.

Is there an official intl version available after 2005? (preferrably one that can customise invoice layouts?)

 

[cjm]

They don't have the JSE or our unit trust prices, so I also have to do man updates.

It's a pity we don't get a free data feed for the JSE as you do for e.g. UK and US exchanges.
As far as I know in SA you have to subscribe to a data provider.

 

[xrapidx]

Whats the difference between the US and international version anyways?

 

[cjm]

Whats the difference between the US and international version anyways?

I don't know exactly, just noticed a few small things e.g.
- When creating a new account you get the list of US banks, but you can add your own,
- Content and tips shown are mostly focussed on the US market,
- Setting up the invoice feature, you have to supply a US state code for you own business.

 

[xrapidx]

Thats what I thought... nothing different to the international version that will affect us... what are the chances of SA getting a version of Money.

 

[Ou grote]

Thats what I thought... nothing different to the international version that will affect us... what are the chances of SA getting a version of Money.

You're going to have to import it.
U can ask wantitall to get it, asked Take2, but they can't.
Or if u have US mailing compay set up, its a bit easier.

 

[diabolus]

I have MS Money 2007 Deluxe Edition , bought it online [from Microsoft, online download about 30MB] for like $50 [the R was still R6 back then] or so.

EDIT : http://www.microsoft.com/money/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=003&active_tab=Compare . I see it's still pretty cheap, however using the "fake american" method i do you loose the rebate thing.

Anyway works ok, only thing that bugged me was how it would lock onto current MS Windows installation , and that you can't install it on multiple PCs or even if your Windows crashed [and you must reformat] you still have to request a new activation code. So running it legally on your laptop + desktop can become a big nuisance.


Oh and i used a fake New York address to get it [can use a site like : http://www.fakenamegenerator.com/gen-male-us-us.php ] ....there was no "international" version of that particular edition back then . So it's the US version, but can do all the other stuff anyhow. The US specific features is primarily being able to directly log into your bank account via MS Money etc [which you wouldn't be able to do with our local banks anyhow] .

 

[xrapidx]

I bought the 2007 Small Business version at the randburg waterfront (commons) for R100 - I recon its pirated.