Splasm Software Discussions

a user community for the betterment of Splasmkind
It is currently Fri Mar 29, 2024 12:11 am

All times are UTC - 6 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 10 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:28 pm 
Offline

Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:24 pm
Posts: 11
Location: Sauquoit, NY
Hello,

I am looking for a good checkbook system and have tried Moneydance, iBank and Budget

I would like some feedback on Checkbook.

Thanks

Frank


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: I tried several
PostPosted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 5:15 pm 
Offline

Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2005 8:10 pm
Posts: 15
Location: Norwich, UK
Hello,

I have tried all the finace software for Macs over the past few months, including those you mention. I bought CB almost as soon as I started using it. It is much easier to use and understand than the others.

Transactions are easy to initiate, and setting up schedules is second to none. The reports that CB can produce are fully customiseable and I have reports for all my finance data, even groceries by the week!

I think CB has a great UI which might be only skin deep but is a real joy to use. Until I started using CB I was not very efficient with budgeting/saving. CB has totaly changed that and I am in total control of my finances. I wish other software was as first class as this.

Oh... and I don't have an entry in CB for recommending it! :wink:


hardcat

_________________
More people are bribed by their own money than anybody else's.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 8:31 pm 
Offline

Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 2:38 am
Posts: 45
I have been using iBank for the last two years.
Tried CheckBook for 10 minutes and purchased it.
Have used various Windows programs incl Money over the years, wont go there :-)
CheckBook suits me and the way I prefer to keep my records which is fun as I don't use cheques ~ OK, maybe one a year.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 9:10 pm 
Offline

Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:24 pm
Posts: 11
Location: Sauquoit, NY
hardcat,

How has it helped you in budgeting? I do not understand how checkbook can help me to not overspend.

I was thinking of an envelope system, but would consider checkbook if it could help me stay on track.

Sue,
thanks for the reply, I was also thinking of purchasing iBank.
Now I will wait.

I may just go ahead and purchase checkbook.

Regards,

Frank


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Keeping on track
PostPosted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 10:59 pm 
Offline

Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2005 8:10 pm
Posts: 15
Location: Norwich, UK
Hi frocco,

CB has helped me manage my money in various ways. Most finanace software will obviously do this, for me CB does it best and like I said it is easy to use. I have CB set up with the following accounts:

a. Bank account

b. Savings account.

c. Investments.

d. Card for Online shopping.

Although It is called CB, I now do nearly all my purchases using my debit card, which is the easiest and most practical to track. At the end of each day I enter all debits into CB and retain the the receipts until I've checked them against my bank statement.

Using cash is more difficult to keep track of. I could withdraw say £200 and then have to track all expenses. Using my debit card for all purchases is automatically recorded and each one appears on my bank statement.

As for keeping in budget. Well once you have populated CB with data you can set up reports that will keep you informed as to your current spending etc. For example I have reports for:

a. groceries.

b. Cash withdrawn

c. Direct debits.

d. Transfers.

e. Car fuel

f. Deposits.

Actually I could go on, You can produce just about any data you have entered as a report. To do this you have to be accurate in entering data. For example I use the word Groceries, If on the next entry I use weekly shopping, then I will not get an accurate report because one of these will be excluded from the report.

I wouldn't encourage you to buy CB straight away. You get a healthy trial period so use it and make sure CB is right for you. I feel confident that you will find it very useful.

I tried Budget but thought it overcomplicated. Do you really want to mimick an 'Envelope' system of budget management, when software like CB displays all your funds in a modern and easy to use Mac UI.

hardcat

_________________
More people are bribed by their own money than anybody else's.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Dec 29, 2005 10:56 am 
Offline

Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:24 pm
Posts: 11
Location: Sauquoit, NY
Thanks for the feedback.

if CB does not have a budget feature, then you must have something on paper to compare the reports to?

Example, if I have a spending limit on fuel for 100.00
CB reports I spent 65.00, I have to know that I have only 35.00 left for that budget

By looking at the reports, I have no idea if I am close to my budget or overspending.

Am I complicating this?

What about iBank?

Thanks

Frank


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Dec 29, 2005 1:46 pm 
Offline

Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 2:38 am
Posts: 45
Hi frocco,

Budget software is different to money tracking software like CheckBook. Maybe an envelope system would suit you better but I've always found them ridiculously complex to set up properly.

CheckBook is clean and straightforward with a great help file. Work through the help file to set it up and save yourself time.
Checking on how much you have spent on any item for a week, month or year is easy.

iBank is trying to be all things for all people and from my perspective failing.

Everyone is different so use what suits you.
Best


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Thu Dec 29, 2005 2:41 pm 
Offline

Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2005 8:10 pm
Posts: 15
Location: Norwich, UK
Sue from NZ.... Hello!

You put that much better than I did. And with fewer words.


hardcat :)

_________________
More people are bribed by their own money than anybody else's.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Dec 29, 2005 4:07 pm 
Offline

Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:24 pm
Posts: 11
Location: Sauquoit, NY
ok, thanks...

I guess it comes down to how useful I find the reports.
I do not have an issue on the overall feel of CB.
I did notice that you cannot report on more than one account per report.

Regards,

Frank


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Dec 29, 2005 7:53 pm 
Offline

Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 2:38 am
Posts: 45
Hi Pommy Hardcat ~ Ok I admit it, I used to be a Pom (Leicester)
Neat place Norwich.
All the Best for 2006


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 10 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 6 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 28 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group


Home | Products | Support | Forum | Store | Contact | News | Privacy
Copyright © 2002- Splasm Software, Inc.