Money 2001 Personal & Business by Microsoft

Description

Just balancing a chequebook is complicated–add a few investments and a budget, and you could start tearing your hair out. Microsoft Money 2001 Personal & Business, largely redesigned for easier navigation and customisation, is a step above its predecessors and miles beyond the old ledger and portfolio. With new features, such as user-set priorities, frequent-flier manager, and Web browsing from within Money, it sets new standards for financial management software.

Installation is simple and stress-free. The file transfers are transparent, and entering financial information can be done in five or 10 minutes. Keep track of all of your investments, including ready cash, stocks, retirement funds, home equity and more–all in a well-designed Web-page format that integrates smoothly with other Web-based content. The home page is a pleasure, but the easily distracted should move the cash-flow charts and investment watch elsewhere, lest they be tempted to update them every few minutes. Pulling financial information off the Internet is usually easy (depending on your choice of financial service providers, of course) and you can port your personal data to a secure Web site for remote retrieval if you like.

There are a couple of minor drawbacks. For one, they have chosen to use their leverage to shill for MSN and other Microsoft-related services throughout Money. Also, users shouldn't rely exclusively on online statements, as download errors often, though certainly not always, result in interminable customer service calls. Other than that (and its large size–greater than 200 MB), it's hard to complain much. Families expanding their investments from checking and savings will love it, as will Internet traders and young adults who need a little coaching but can't afford a financial advisor. Microsoft Money 2001 Personal & Business will save you money in the long run, and save you time and frustration almost as soon as it's up and running. —Rob Lightner

Pros:
• Powerful financial maintenance and analysis tools
• Web integration
• Customisation

  Cons:

• Non-stop shilling for Microsoft online services
• Very large program size

Note: This review applies to Money 2001 Financial Suite. Money 2001 Personal & Business includes all of the tools from the Financial Suite, plus integrated business-planning tools including VAT and invoice tracking.