Q. What is the best software available for personal finance? Both Microsoft Money and Quicken's product were recommended to me -- but both seemed to receive poor reviews at Amazon.com.
A. The problem with any software is that they add a ton of bells and whistles that most people don't use to justify their existence.
I use Microsoft Money and I probably use 5% of the features.
Eg, I set up the accounts (a pain), I enter my transactions and I run a reports (also a pain to set up). I do not use the charts, I do not use the advice, and I don't do any account management via signons and passwords. I've mimiced my paper records (which were too difficult to keep up with with a manual calculator).
If you've never used such software, I would suggest buying a sprial notebook and write down all expenses for a month before setting the software up.
My categories (that I've used for 20 years) are:
food & entertainment
car (gas, parking, everything)
appearance (exercise, clothes, medical)
miscellaneous
books & records
hobby (this needed it's own category)
phone
financial expenses (finance charges, account fees, work expenses)
trips and gifts
Housing (Rent, Utilities, Insurance, Taxes, Furniture)--I used to use several categories, now I don't.
Income taxes
Social Security
Medicare (These I had as one category and now split them out to match the paycheck stubs).
I found the myriad of choices in the software to be far too much.
I use Microsoft Money and I probably use 5% of the features.
Eg, I set up the accounts (a pain), I enter my transactions and I run a reports (also a pain to set up). I do not use the charts, I do not use the advice, and I don't do any account management via signons and passwords. I've mimiced my paper records (which were too difficult to keep up with with a manual calculator).
If you've never used such software, I would suggest buying a sprial notebook and write down all expenses for a month before setting the software up.
My categories (that I've used for 20 years) are:
food & entertainment
car (gas, parking, everything)
appearance (exercise, clothes, medical)
miscellaneous
books & records
hobby (this needed it's own category)
phone
financial expenses (finance charges, account fees, work expenses)
trips and gifts
Housing (Rent, Utilities, Insurance, Taxes, Furniture)--I used to use several categories, now I don't.
Income taxes
Social Security
Medicare (These I had as one category and now split them out to match the paycheck stubs).
I found the myriad of choices in the software to be far too much.
Know what the number one cause of personal bankruptcy in America is?
Q. The answer is medical bills. Know something else? Most of these people who go bankrupt have health insurance. And medical bills are going to skyrocket even further in the coming years. Still think you, your family, and your personal finances/retirement are safe under the "protection" of insurance companies?
A. Its funny that a country that claims life to be an inalienable right would allow Insurance Giants to continually make decisions about treatment that would cause someone to lose their life. Or that the poorest people are not even afforded this luxury.
I guess inalienable rights are just for the wealthy.
I guess inalienable rights are just for the wealthy.
What should I dual major in with finance?
Q. I am already a Finance major at Georgia State University and I would like to dual major, but I do not know what my best option for dual major is with Finance.
My choices are:
Accounting
Actuarial Science
Business Analysis
Business Economics
Computer Information Systems
Hospitality Admin
Human Resources Management
International Business
Marketing
Real Estate
Risk Management and Insurance
What would be best for finance? I am still not sure if I would like to go into personal finance, or go the corporate route.
My choices are:
Accounting
Actuarial Science
Business Analysis
Business Economics
Computer Information Systems
Hospitality Admin
Human Resources Management
International Business
Marketing
Real Estate
Risk Management and Insurance
What would be best for finance? I am still not sure if I would like to go into personal finance, or go the corporate route.
A. I would suggest opting for Marketing. Because you are not clear about your future in personal finance or corporates, it would help to have a balance of both - Finance and Marketing.
What is a good resource for learning how to rent out an apartment I own?
Q. I do NOT need listing services like craigslist. I need information about insurance requirements, setting up personal finances to account for rental income, tax implications, etc.
A. I know I am not answering your question, but I do not know a place to send you for the information you are looking for. I am a Landlord of 23 properties in Florida and I can answer specific questions you may have, to a limit. Insurance you need to have homeowners Insurance and tell your agent that the house will be a rental, that way you are not paying for all items in the house, unless of course you are renting a furnished unit. I have no special account, all the monies go into my personal account and all repairs come out of my personal account. You will pay tax on the profit you make, I am not an accountant so I don't know what your tax implications would be, an accountant can answer that for you. If you have any other questions please feel free to add details post another question or you can email me through Yahoo Answers. Good Luck KG
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