My current Software (banktivity) subscription for my MBPro has increased to $50/year. Would like some opinions/options regarding any simple money management software from any other Apple users . My needs are really simple - just want to be able to track credit card, bank, expenditures and deposits including reminders for scheduling payments and deposits. Oh, and not too expensive- would prefer not to have to deal with subscription if possible….Suggestions?
Get to know your favorite spreadsheet… My DW has kept us sorted out for many, many years, that and the CU’s auto-pay, or manually just keeps on rolling… We both used Excel when we worked, so I also used to buy the new Office versions until they went to annual subscriptions. By then we were hooked didn’t want to play in Numbers, on our Macs, and so once we got past it’s old viability, gave in and subscribed. But, for the basics, I’m sure Numbers would do it, I bet there are books out there… It’s come a long way since VisiCalc of the really old times!!
Best thin about Numbers, it’s FREE! Included with your Mac!
I tried messing with Quicken at one time where I had my own business accounts, but it was too picky, so I went to Excel of the day…
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Quicken will not pass your cost limit.
That said it is amazing - what users have the right to expect from a subscription. It gets better regularly. There are small monthly changes, but like compound interest over time they are a lot.
The biggest PITA is not being able to download the Apple Credit card stuff from Goldman Sachs. Multiple financial institutions are tweaking their security systems. Quicken has been able to handle the changes and even sent specific notes to guide us through the new account authorization processes at Chase.
In addition to our personal finances, my wife is treasurer of the Pickleball Club at our active adult community. They have about 350 members, run multiple tournaments and even an online store.
Based on descriptions one might think we need a more expensive version, but we use the Deluxe version. For me have setup year end reports for income taxes is a valuable feature. However I agree with WeCo, Excel is likely be best option meeting your cost criteria.
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I think Mint.com can do all of what you want for free. You get ads (which you could opt out of for a small monthly fee) but they are not bothersome. I use it for everything you listed except for the reminders (which it does do - I just don’t use them since I autopay my credit cards).
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Regarding Mint – There is a theory on the internet, generally you pay for a product, or you are the product.
Beyond your contact information, they know where you shop and how much you spend – a decent key what you buy. More then a few people are interested in purchasing data on known people buying specific stuff.
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EVERY account aggregation software company, even those that charge a fee, collect that information. Quicken will cost you about $35. Quicken is made by Intuit, the same company behind Mint.com. Paying $35 for Quicken isn’t going to provide you any additional protection from Intuit datamining you.
Additionally, EVERY credit card company, even those that don’t charge an annual fee, is already datamining you. AMEX, Chase, BOA, they all do it. They even do it with your checking account activity.
That proverbial horse left the barn years ago. Using mint.com (or some other aggregation site) isn’t going to change that.
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One of the wisest sayings I’ve heard, thanks for that bit of wisdom…doc
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Quicken is not owned by Intuit – sold it back in 2016. The new owner (HIG Capital) is likely the reason today’s product is much better than anything Intuit every sold.
Yes credit cards and banks have the data. The difference is Mint has no way to make money, except selling your personal data.
Quicken Deluxe which I use is $60 a year.
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Regardless, they all collect and sell your data, even your $60 Quicken Deluxe (I will note that the only point you disputed about my post was who owns Quicken, not the fact that the sell your information - on top of the cost of the software).
Who cares about the number of ways that a company may suck if they all suck equally the same on this point? Yet you seem to think that because you pay $60 for Quicken that they suck less?!?
Snip:
You agree that we may collect and use your data (including personal information) according to the Quicken Privacy Statement. We may also share your data and information, either in aggregate or personally identifiable form, in the ways described in the Quicken Privacy Statement.
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wow - thanks for the suggestions and the pros/cons of several software apps. I’m fully aware that all of us using cyberspace are all vulnerable to the data vulnerabilities - that’s one of the reasons we all do get spam/ads/ and have to be cautious about where we go and what we choose to put “out there” - wish it was different, but “it is, what it is”. I have been using Banktivity for many years, my needs are pretty simple - just want to be able to connect to my accounts, whether credit card or banks etc…and keep all my purchases and deposits up-to-date - I’m not using this software for investments, have another means of handling those. Will look into your suggestions and research further…many years ago, I think I did use Quicken - but it was on a PC not a Mac…I see the Quicken does have a starter version (apparently handles Mac too), also a current sale on the deluxe version, and there’s also Excel to consider, mint.com and a few others. Banktivity has been working ok however their new price is now very similar to Quicken’s and not as many user options, iirc…so now thinking about downloading my data and switching to something else. Thanks all…
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I’ll just chime in here and reiterate that Quicken may not meet your cost requirement as it is an annual subscription cost model, but the software features and reporting are great. I use Quicken Deluxe for WINDOWS on my MacBook as the windows version is much more robust than the native Mac version. I use Parallels VM to run Windows on my Mac.
'38Packard
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Another option that’s developed lately is your bank, or credit union, website. Some of the (Service Credit Union affiliates, for one) have actually implemented secure and useful budget & actual tracking features right within their website - no additional software! (Cheap banks like TD don’t do any of it.) So check with your bank. No additional selling of your data if that works out.
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Historically the Windows version was dramatically superior. Current management stated years ago a goal was making the equal. Within the last couple of years lots of new stuff has been added. If movement from the Windows Version to Mac Version would free you from Parallels, it might be worth a check.
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