Personal finance tracking/planning

[young Nut]

I'm curious how you folks go about tracking and planning your personal finances and budget. I'm a recent college grad about to start his first job, and I have never really had the need to track my finances. I mean, I've had a bank account and a rough budget, but I've never taken the time to track all my money.

So how do you handle your finances? Are there any good software programs that you use or know of? Any good freeware programs?

[edfurlong]

Every couple months my bank tells me I'm out of money, so I bring them some.

[pookvis]

[ QUOTE ]
Every couple months my bank tells me I'm out of money, so I bring them some.

[/ QUOTE ]

+1

[young Nut]

laff

[xwillience]

[ QUOTE ]
Every couple days my bank tells me I'm out of money, so I borrow them some more.

[/ QUOTE ]

[kerowo]

Quicken. MS Money. Or some almost-ran open source thing.

[StevieG]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm curious how you folks go about tracking and planning your personal finances and budget. I'm a recent college grad about to start his first job, and I have never really had the need to track my finances.

[/ QUOTE ]

Automate as much as you can, so you don't have to think about it.

If your job offers a 401(k) plan, enroll.

Does your bank offer online bill pay? Many will have the ability to schedule a recurring payment. Do that for rent, car payment, student loan, anything that is fixed.

Get a savings account at ING Direct, link it to your checking account, and then set up an auto transfer every month.

At that point, just about everything is taken care of, and what you have left in checking is what you can spend.

[unfrgvn]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'm curious how you folks go about tracking and planning your personal finances and budget. I'm a recent college grad about to start his first job, and I have never really had the need to track my finances.

[/ QUOTE ]

Automate as much as you can, so you don't have to think about it.

If your job offers a 401(k) plan, enroll.

Does your bank offer online bill pay? Many will have the ability to schedule a recurring payment. Do that for rent, car payment, student loan, anything that is fixed.

Get a savings account at ING Direct, link it to your checking account, and then set up an auto transfer every month.

At that point, just about everything is taken care of, and what you have left in checking is what you can spend.

[/ QUOTE ]

What he said, plus Quicken.

[4_2_it]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'm curious how you folks go about tracking and planning your personal finances and budget. I'm a recent college grad about to start his first job, and I have never really had the need to track my finances.

[/ QUOTE ]

Automate as much as you can, so you don't have to think about it.

If your job offers a 401(k) plan, enroll.

Does your bank offer online bill pay? Many will have the ability to schedule a recurring payment. Do that for rent, car payment, student loan, anything that is fixed.

Get a savings account at ING Direct, link it to your checking account, and then set up an auto transfer every month.

At that point, just about everything is taken care of, and what you have left in checking is what you can spend.

[/ QUOTE ]

What he said, plus Quicken.

[/ QUOTE ]

QFT

[pookvis]

4_2_it is hiding his book about getting government grants! I've seen the infomercials, with you in you avatar get up, selling it. tell us the way plz.