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Update: 30-day financial makeover
Gail George
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About the author
Tess Vigeland is the host of Marketplace Money, where she takes a deep dive into why we do what we do with our money. Follow Tess on Twitter @radiotess
I'd like to begin tracking my expenses using Quicken on my MACbook. Friends tell me that using that software for my little household financial picture (single, retired, no children, no dogs, no heavy-duty hobbies) would be like shooting an elephant using a blunderbuss.
Is there a program (usable on the MAC platform) that would be less complicated or demanding?
Would it be worth my while to learn to use Quicken?
If so, what strength? If not, what (MAC friendly) other?
Maggie Morley
Detailed tracking of expenses is a real commitment - I have been doing this for almost 15 years in gory detail using Quicken.
Along with the pride of accuracy (who else in the neighborhood can boast of perfect balance every month!), there is total inability to fool oneself and taxes are done in an hour; diligence is rewarded.
This takes about an hour or two per week along with an expanding file for all the receipts. With the biggest hurdle being rethinking how to categorize all the expenses and income, after a few months, it is second nature.
tony
