Money 99 is Now Available!

I have been using personal finance software for many years, and I have recently switched from Intuit's Quicken to Microsoft Money.  Why did I switch?   Probably not for urgent reasons -- there were a couple of things that I either wished that Quicken could do and it didn't, or there were a few things that I didn't like about the interface that even got worse. 

So, I was feeling particularly frustrated with Quicken one day when I saw that Microsoft had released a free 90 day trial of Money 97 and I saw that it would automatically convert Quicken files.  I downloaded the trial and spent the weekend playing with it and I was sold.  I bought a copy the next weekend.

If you would like to try Money 99, the current version, for yourself, just visit the Money 99 Trial Download page and get it! This version has all of the features of the Money 98 Financial Suite, except for online banking, which is disabled.

In February, 1998, because of my participation in microsoft.public.money, Microsoft's support newsgroup, I have been selected as a Microsoft MVP to provide support in the Money and Investor support newsgroups.  I am quite pleased to receive some recognition from Microsoft for the support that I am able to provide.

Microsoft Money Frequently Asked Questions

I have devoted most of this page to cover questions that are frequently asked in the newsgroup microsoft.public.money, but aren't easily found in Microsoft's Knowledge Base.  In order to learn more about Money 98, I read this newsgroup most every day.  And most days, I am amazed at what I don't know.  Most of these questions and answers I have simply lifted from the newsgroup.  In some cases I have credited the author and in some cases I have not.   I will work to improve this in future revisions.  Special thanks go to Kimberly Smith & Porter Humphrey for helping me collect this collection of hints and tips.

Other Microsoft Money Resources

If you have a question that is not covered here, please try these other resources in this order:

1. Try searching through Money's built-in help.  Click on the question mark button located at the top right of the Money window.
2. Review Microsoft's Money FAQ, which has Microsoft's most frequently asked questions.
3. Search Microsoft's excellent Money Knowledge Base, which has all of the official Microsoft Technical Notes for all versions of Money.
4. An alternative to searching the Knowledge Base is to get a List of all Knowledge Base Articles.   Just click on INDEX.TXT to see the list.  (Thanks to Robert Karp for pointing me to this!)
5. Search for your question using Deja News.   Deja News is an archive of all newsgroup posts back to 1995, and it's quite possible that you will find your answer there.  This search form is here for your convenience:

6. The newsgroup microsoft.public.money is very active and is an excellent way to have your question answered.  The newsgroup is unique as there is no formal Microsoft support. All support is provided by Microsoft MVP volunteers, as well as other Money users. 
7. If none of the above work, try using Microsoft's Standard No-Charge Web Response.  This service allows you to leave a message for Microsoft's Technical Support, and you can expect to get an answer back in a business day or two.

• Finally, if Money isn't capable of doing something that you want, or it doesn't perform as you expect, please submit a wish to Microsoft Wish.  Your wish will be considered for a future release of Money.

If you have a frequently asked question, with the answer, please drop me an e-mail so that I can add it to this page.  I count on all of you to help keep this page complete!

Quicken Resources

On the off chance that you got here through a search engine and are really looking for support for Quicken, here are some suggestions:

1. The Intuit web site has some helpful information.
2. Andrew DeFaria is the keeper of the Unofficial Quicken Web Page.  His page is actually more useful than Intuit's because he can give you more honest answers to some difficult questions.  That's the place I go to learn more what is going on with Quicken.
3. Search for your question using Deja News.   Deja News is an archive of all newsgroup posts back to 1995, and it's quite possible that you will find your answer there.  This search form is here for your convenience:

   Search comp.os.ms-windows.apps.financial for:

4. Quicken doesn't have a newsgroup supported by Intuit, but the best support can be found at alt.comp.software.financial.quicken and this is where the savvy Quicken users hang out.

Contents

I have roughly categorized these tips into groups, but if you don't find the answer to a question, please consider looking in the other areas, or using the "find" option in your browser. 

• Crashes, Corrupted Files & Converting Files
• Bugs, "Features" & Product Updates
• Backups & File Size
• Searching Transactions
• Printing
• Investments

• Financial Planning
• Credit Cards
• General (Miscellaneous)
• Bibliography (Money & Financial Planning Books)

Bugs, "Features" & Product Updates

• What patches have been released for Money?

Uh, none.  However Microsoft has subsequently released several Downloadable Files which do fix some problems and add some additional features.

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Backups & File Size

• Why is the Money file so large in this version?

Microsoft changed the format to the Jet (Access) database to allow for easier changes in future versions, and to make it possible to create add-on programs.  Link to Knowledge Base article Q174978 for more information.

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General

• I didn't like this version of Money and I want to revert back to an older version.  How do I do this?

Basically, there are two ways:  Either restore the backup that Money 98 created of your Money 97 file when you upgraded, or export and re-import your data.   Link to Knowledge Base article Q178465 for more information.

• I'd like to run Money 97 and Money 98 or 99 at the same time.  Is this possible?

Yes it is, so long as you don't install Money 98 or 99 into the same directory which has Money 97.  It is also not possible to have the Payment Reminder work in both versions.  Link to Knowledge Base article Q171713 for a full discussion of issues when running both versions concurrently.

• I forgot my password!  How can I recover my file?

Bummer!  Microsoft's official policy is that they won't try to crack Money files.  However, Access Data Corporation and Passware sell password recovery programs which may be able to recover the file.  Good luck!

• Which is better, Money 99 or Quicken 99?

At this point, both programs are comprehensive and have their own strengths.   As you have gathered, I prefer Money.  If you search around the web, you'll probably find reviews written by the professionals that favors one or the other.  I invite you to try for yourself and use the Money 90 Day Free Trial.

• I'm converting from Quicken to Money.  What issues should I expect to face?

Most users won't see any problems with conversion, however it's possible that you'll get struck with some rare conversion issues.  If you're an international user, check out Alistair Jones' Money FAQ for some specific tips.

• Okay, I'm currently using Quicken 99 and I would like to convert my file to Money 99.   What do I have to do and why doesn't Money 99 handle the Quicken 99 format?

Let's answer the second question first:

Porter Humphrey writes:

The pattern over recent years is for Microsoft to release its new version a month or two before Intuit does the same. Each new version of Money can open files created by then-extant versions of Quicken. If this pattern continues, Money 99 will be able to read Quicken 98 files but not Quicken 99 files.  For its part, Quicken can't open any file created with any version of Money.

Now, the first question:  You will have to use a version of your data created in an older version of Quicken (versions 4-6 for Windows), or you will have to export files in .QIF format and them import them into Money.  Link to Knowledge Base article Q177033 for a discussion and instructions on how to complete the converstion.

• What's an MVP?

If you have visited microsoft.public.money, Money's support newsgroup, you have noticed that some participants have the title MVP after their name.  MVP's are Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals; volunteers who try to help people who have questions in the newsgroups.  They don't work for Microsoft, they don't get paid, they do this out of the goodness of their hearts.  Learn more about the MVP program direct from Microsoft.  Maybe you would like to nominate a newsgroup participant for consideration?  Or maybe even yourself?

Bibliography

If you would like to find out more about the books, videos and CDs that I reference on these pages, you can do so here through an arrangement we have with Amazon.com.  These references will take you to Amazon.com's stacks and you can find out more about the source of the book, video or CD, reviews from readers, viewers & listeners as well as availability and links to other books, videos or CDs with similar titles, subjects and authors.  You can also leave your comments on each of the works!

Microsoft Money Companions by Microsoft Press

Basically, these books are the manuals which many think should have been included with the software that you have already purchased.  I think of it differently, and look at it as giving me cheaper software since I don't have to pay for the documentation.

• Microsoft Money 99 At a Glance, Stephen L. Nelson, 1998.
  This book walks you through most tasks in a simple two-page format.  The instructions are very concise and clear, making it very easy to get the job done.
• Microsoft Money Guide to Personal Finance, Stephen L. Nelson, 1996.
  This is the companion for Money 97, and it combines a primer on basic personal finance along with instructions on how to use Money 97.  Some things are still applicable for Money 98, but I wouldn't count on this as a primary reference.

Microsoft Money Companions by Third Parties

• Microsoft Money 99 for Dummies, Peter Weverka, 1998.
  You know that you'll be entertained by the dummies series of books, and this one's no exception.  The Microsoft guide isn't that dry either, but the one's definitely light hearted.l.
• Microsoft Money 99 Fast & Easy, by Paul Marchessault & Lisa Wagner, 1998.
  I have never used a guide in this series before, but invite you to try it and let me know if you like it.

Rick's Favorite Personal Finance Books Not Related to Microsoft Money

Organizing your finances with Microsoft Money is only part of the picture.  You need to understand what your goals are and how to plan for them.  You can learn lots about how to do this by checking out these books.  Some have very different strategies and while some are not consistent with my own strategy, I did find them to be an interesting read and thought that I took something worthwhile home afterwards.

• Die Broke: A Radical 4-Part Financial Plan, Stephen M. Polling, 1997.
  Quit today; pay cash; don't retire; die broke.  With an opening like that, you're well on your way through a truly thought provoking read.  In reality, these zingers aren't as radical as one might think, but the overall plan is different from what you will find in other personal finance guides.  More appropriate for under-saved Baby Boomers, who really need a retooling, if they aren't going to finish off their lives in poverty, but Generation X can use it to avoid some truly disastrous mistakes.
• Morningstar Approach to Investing:  Wiring Into The Future, Andrew Leckey, 1997.
  A tour though the Morningstar organiztion that focuses on how their ratings work.   Very helpful if your portfolio is (or is going to be) based in Mutual Funds.
• Right Way to Invest in Mutual Funds, Walter Updegrave, 1996.
  Learn how to select winning funds, avoid costs and fees, and determine your investment strategy.  It has lots of useful information, but is short enough to read in a couple of evenings.
• All About Your 401(k) Plan:  Simple Answers to Securing Your Financial Future, Ellie Williams Clinton, Diane Pearl, 1995.
  An excellent guide to 401(k) plans.  Understand how they're setup, why the employer match is so important and advantageous and how to mix your investments.

• Wall Street Journal Guide to Planning Your Financial Future, Kenneth M. Morris, Alan M. Siegel, Virginia B. Morris, 1995.
  A very basic guide to understanding how pensions, insurance, social security, investment strategies and so much more work.  Elaborately illustrated, this guide is meant to walk one through making all of these decisions.  Experts won't learn anything, but they might enjoy having it on hand.