Intuit

I am proud to say that I am an avid fan and a devoted user of Quicken. I started using the program at it's inception. I originally purchased the program to use as  an electronic check book. We early "pioneers" often used this as an excuse to spend a couple of thousand dollars on the 8K machines that ran on something called DOS.

Quicken was an easy to use program that enabled me to balance my checkbook without struggling with the bookkeeping and the math. Although it took a bit of time to transpose my statement and checks to the program, the results were terrific and a real help at Tax Time.

As release followed release, the program began to enhance features and add new ones that made it ever so easy to use and more and more powerful.

From its humble beginnings as a simple electronic checkbook, it has developed into a financial planning powerhouse.

With the advent of the Internet and electronic banking, Quicken Quickly became the undisputed leader in the field of financial software. (See you can beat Microsoft in some things!)

It would take twenty or more pages to describe the features in Quicken 2000 deluxe. I will try to hit the highlights but I'm sure that most of you are familiar with the program by name, use or reputation.

Let's face it, 11 million plus users makes a definite statement!

When you initially start the program, it asks you a series of questions as shown in the example below.

Utilizing the answers you provide it tailors itself to your specific needs. Don't let the first question throw you. Quicken 2000 does not find a should mate for you. (yet!)

The answers provide a nucleus from which you can perform several important functions

Another wonderful Intuit Product, TurboTax takes this data and allows you to prepare your own tax returns even if you have little or no financial know-how. You are guided every step of the way. I plan to review TurboTax and it's interface with Quicken in the near future. I have saved hundreds of dollars in accounting fees and hours of time preparing information for my
ex- accountant who probably used TurboTax anyway!

The program consolidates your total financial picture if you wish it to do so. (Or, you can simply balance your checkbook with the program--but why?)

Quicken has assisted me in planning for college expenses, and keeping my college kid's expenses from getting too far out of hand.

Another word for budgeting is asset allocation. We all know that keeping budgets is somewhat difficult to do, but allocating assets is a breeze!

At the end of the year, if you are honest and focused on entering all your financial transaction you get a summary of the expenses you paid and who you paid them to. The results will astound you. Entertainment expenses through the year adds up fast....!

Regardless of what stage of life you are in, there is enough horsepower in the program to use it to improve your financial forecasting.

I collect things.....

Like a library of 3500 books the majority of which repose in the garage in 42 boxes. I am what is known as a book-a-holic.

After a while I realized just what this has cost me over the years. I now go to the library thanks to my book binge figures generated by Quicken!

The screen shown below is what I call the financial control center. At a glance you can view the status of your accounts, click to perform instant reconcilliations, view tax information and a host of other functions.

Quicken can write checks for you which you can print on your computer's printer. With a Window envelope, you send the preaddressed letter without having to address it.

The electronic check register is shown above. Unlike your paper based register it does the math....correctly!

The overview screen shows you how your money has been allocated and how much you have. You get a dynamic statement which is current to the last transaction. Your balance is there for you instantly.

The screen shot at the left shows you how easy it is to reconcile your checking account. Simply fill in the ending balance, service charge, interest earned and the program delivers your reconciled statement. No paper and pen and struggling to find the missing three cents. If your transactions are logged correctly, the reconciliation is done in seconds.

What could be easier? If your statement in Quicken doesn't match the one from the bank, you compare postings and chances are you will find the discrepancy in a couple of minutes.

With bill pay service you can pay your bills with electronic checks. Most larger banks will let you download your statement directly into Quicken.

Power and ease of use are the keynotes of this outstanding program. How much does it cost?

That depends on which version you purchase. There are four versions....

Basic
Basic edition offers checkbook management, credit card management, bill paying and assists you in obtaining life and auto insurance. Certain features require a net presence. Most can be accomplished without Internet Access.

Deluxe

Includes all the features of Basic plus enhanced financial capability including stock portfolio management and financial planning. This version will give you a comprehensive financial planning capability. Major life events such as home purchase, auto purchases, retirement and college expenses are capable of being evaluated based on your total financial assets which the program will help you manage. In effect, it is a dynamic financial statement that you can use to plan your financial future. With the "what if..." scenarios you can see the effect a decision can make on your financial picture.

If you require the services of a financial planner the program will give you information as to how to obtain one. His fees will not be as great if you present him with a copy of your Quicken financial analysis.

Home and Business

This program contains the elements of Deluxe but with features that are of interest to a person who owns a home based, small business. Elements such as account receivable and accounts payable modules help you manage your business eve if your bookkeeping skills are minimal.

Quicken Suite

This version has a greater degree of Tax capability. It provides you with IRS publications on-screen, Tax Planning and a Tax Library. It is a comprehensive financial tool and includes TurboTax, the ultimate tax preparation program. It also includes Quicken's Family Lawyer program. The program will provide you with more than 100 legal documents you can use in any of the 50 states. It become easy to prepare a will and you are guided every step of the way. This alone will recoup the modest price of this terrific program.

Taxes

All the versions interface with Intuit's TurboTax. TurboTax is an easy way to prepare and file your tax returns. This can easily save you a couple of hundred dollars per year. I don't doubt that my ex-accountant probably used TurboTax or a similar program to prepare my taxes. You can E-File with TurboTax and get a quick Tax refund if you are owed money by Uncle Sam.

Whichever version you purchase, the price is easily recouped in direct savings as well as time savings! But beware, the program  will grow on you and you could be like me and use it virtually ever day. 

With Deluxe, Home & Business and Suite, you can even work on Quicken while you are on vacation or on a business trip......

But that's another story...!

Both Family Lawyer and TurboTax will be reviewed in the near future and posted to the Intuit section of this web site.

Visit Quicken on the web at  www.quicken.com

Or Intuit at                                  www.intuit.com

Last Edited 04/25/2007