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Personal Finance Management Software

aineo

aineo

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I have used a number of PFM packages over the years, including Quicken, Microsoft Money, MoneyDance, and most recently YNAB. Though I have been pretty happy with YNAB, they are changing up some things in a way I am not happy with, so I am exploring alternatives. If you use a PFM package, I would be curious to know your thoughts about it.
 
I haven't used that software much, but have some thoughts.

For business, I used Xero for 18 months, but stopped due to the subscription fees, it was overkill for the number of transactions I was coding. Now I just manually code on paper bank statements and hand them to my accountant, sometimes the simplest ways are the best.

For personal, I have occasionally tried using GnuCash, simply because it is free, open source and has a Linux version (also Windows). This software seems to work well in my testing, and be comprehensive enough, I just haven't been organised enough to stick with it for the long term. Worth testing out simply because you can't beat the price!
 
Thanks @FollowingHim. I used MoneyDance in the past because it was cross-platform - at the time I was running Linux at home. While I appreciate both free and open source, functionality is more important to me in this case. I've now opted to go back to MoneyDance for a few reasons:
  • They gave me a previous user's discount, even though I haven't used it since 2006 (50% off).
  • It doesn't require storing data in the cloud.
  • However, if you wish to use the iOS app, you can run this out of Dropbox using an encrypted file.
  • It permits reconciling, which many of the new apps do not permit.
  • It has a budgeting feature that fits my needs.
  • If you tie it into financial institutions, the password is stored locally on your device.

There are things I don't like though, including:
  • The interface seems dated. Yeah, this takes a back seat to functionality, but I sure like a more modern look.
  • It doesn't interface with my primary financial institution. Furthermore, the FIs it does interface with are few (hundreds, not thousands)
  • Connecting to an FI is wonky.
  • The iOS app doesn't show current budget status for the month. For example, if I allocate x dollars to groceries, I want to know on the 20th how close I am to that.
I looked at GNUCash, and to be honest, I wasn't sure I was ready to devote the time to learn it, which was a deterrent for many of the other options too. In the end, it was a decision to go back to a package I was familiar with that I knew would meet my minimum needs.

Thanks again for the thoughts, Samuel.
 
Good to see another Linux-dabbler around! We buy a computer, run stock Windows or OSX briefly until it clogs up and gets frustrating or modern versions of software are no longer supported, then install Linux Mint on it. At present, all our computers run Mint, my grandmother's Mac now runs Mint also, and I'll be installing it on one of my parents' computers soon. It's spreading, gradually...
 
Mint & Ubuntu are my distros of choice. I currently run Mint on one computer in the house, but because I do photography on the side, I needed Photoshop & Lightroom. Unfortunately, Gimp would just not meet my needs. So on my computer I use Windows 7.
 
I use Mint even for work, but have Win7 as a dual-boot and use it once in a blue moon for multi-person skype calls or the occasional obscure piece of software. I find however that most specialist Windows software I need runs fine in Linux under Wine. You might find that Photoshop and Lightroom do also. But I'm a pragmatist - if Windows works, just use it until it stops for some reason.
 
I wasn't able to get Photoshop or Lightroom to run under Wine, but that has also been a few years ago now. I should probably check that again.

We use Skype on our Mint box, though I do miss the functionality that Windows Skype has. It works for us though.

I've never used CentOS, but RHEL is what is used for some servers at the office. Mint is a good compromise for most folks, it seems, but the hardcore Linux folk seem to not have as much respect for it.
 
Skype works on Linux, I almost always run it from there, but the Linux version doesn't handle multi-person calls. Occasionally I have a teleconference I have to use the Windows version for. Microsoft is just deliberately keeping the Linux version crippled I think.

With wine these days, I am finding most software works perfectly unless it has to connect to hardware like Bluetooth, that's a bit complex. The Windows version of Skype won't run. But photography and financial management software should run OK.
 
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