Resources

This is an article from a computer guy, Eric Spellman from Amarillo, TX, who I heard speak at a conference this past summer.   I thought you might find the information useful. 

Where Does Your Money Go?

While the stock market continues its wild swings, many experts are perplexed at the causes.  What makes the market surge one day and plummet the next?

Luckily, understanding your own checking account and making accurate predictions is much easier - as long as you track it...

Numerous tools on the Net make this task very easy.  Back in the day, you basically had two choices, Intuit's Quicken and Microsoft Money.  Today, a number of companies are jumping into the mix, giving Quicken and Money a "run for their money."

One of my favorites is Mint.  What makes it stand out is the price - nada, zip, none.  It's free!  All of your data is stored (and backed up) on their secure servers.  With your permission, it connects to your bank accounts giving you instant access to your balances.

Another site, Geezeo, also offers personal finance advice and budgeting, but takes it a step further.  They encourage people to discuss situations with each other - almost a group therapy event.

Mvelopes helps you meet your financial goals by dividing your paycheck into "envelopes."  That way, you won't accidentally dip into the rent envelope when buying groceries.  It takes some getting used to, but if visualizing your money in this manner helps, this site is perfect.

And, before I forget, don't discount Quicken.  Their online version has gotten a number of accolades and is quite cheap.