Microsoft Money 2006 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))

item was as described
but shipping from PA 2 MA took quite a while

I bought this book 2 help me figure out the quirks of Money. But the more I flip through the book 4 answers the more frustrated I become. Basically, Mr Weverka just adds words around Money's dialog box wizards. If you're trying 2 do anything beyond the basics, this book won't help you. If you're looking 4 answers 2 tricky points like these, look elsewhere:

- I get paid on the 1st & 15th of every month. In case of a weekend or holiday, I'll get paid before. For example, if the 1st is a Saturday, I'll get paid the 30th or 31st of the previous month. The problem: Money's budgeting program puts this income in the previous month. So the previous month I get three paychecks, & the current month I get one. I looked 4 a solution in the book & found nothing. My best solution through trial & error: edit the transaction date 2 trick Money into thinking I got the deposit on the 1st.

- How 2 set up accounts 4 stock options, including a portion that's been exercised & being held. No mention in the book about this. Mr Weverka simply puts words around Money's Stock Option dialog boxes (which are very simple). Solution: set up separate accounts 4 held options -- found this solution after digging around online.

- Working the kinks out between Money tracking your gross income versus your basic accounts recording net income. Mr Weverka doesn't even mention the difference, let alone how 2 track the difference. He simply walks you through which buttons 2 press in the budgeting area. Oh, click "OK" after I enter my income? Thanks.

Bottom line, if you can follow on-screen directions, don't bother with the book. At the very least just borrow it from your library 2 get familiar with the program. If you need answers 2 more complex questions--although I wouldn't even consider mine particularly complex--search elsewhere.

I bought Microsoft Money 2007 Premium a few weeks ago. The interface was intuitive enough that I was able 2 get it set up & running without much trouble. I was also able 2 set up online functions with my various bank & investment accounts, including some institutions that are capable of automated updates, & some that require a manual download. Everything worked pretty slick, & transactions were rolling in nicely.

With all the data streaming in, I worked hard trying 2 figure out Money's balancing process, what it really means & how 2 assure everything balanced out & returned accurate figures 4 net worth, spending by category, investment values, etc. I got stuck with certain types of transfers from one account 2 another that were throwing off my reporting & decided I needed a book 2 help me learn the finer points.

I found that there is no book 4 2007. I read that the changes from 2006 were minimal, so I ordered "Microsoft Money 2006 For Dummies" by Peter Weverka.

I found the book easy 2 read, topics easy 2 find, & I was able 2 get some answers on some basic questions, such as accurately splitting transactions across categories. I also liked the tips on how 2 more easily do the things I had already figured out, such as Find & Replace 2 edit transactions en masse. There are helpful warnings 4 potential pitfalls, which I don't think I'd have figured out on my own (at least not without pain).

My impression (totally subjective, of course) is that the author enjoys working with finances (and is really good at it), & recommends that we all take time 2 be careful & smart with our money. His book's advice, I thought, leaned toward manually handling accounts & taking a lot of time reconciling & balancing accounts.

I wish I were so inclined, but I really purchased Money 4 just about the opposite purpose! I'm more into letting the whiz-bang software do the work 4 me, in as automated a way as possible. I want 2 download the data from the bank, not enter it manually & then reconcile. After reading the book, I still do not know how 2 cope with the complicated volumes of data downloaded from my broker accounts: buys & sells, shifting of money from one fund 2 another, etc. There are only 24 pages out of 328 (one section) that are devoted 2 online banking. I was hungry 4 more.

I'm glad I have the book, & plan 2 give it another read through 2 make sure I didn't miss anything. I'll also keep looking 4 a book with more advanced information about the online features of Money.

Had 2 get this since no 2007 book out. Black & white total pages get a bit hard 2 read after awhile. It would be nice 2 have some color pages in somewhere

Good starter book & reference guide Keeps you on track and

helps when you need a refersher

Do you know where you money goes? Would balancing your budget take an act of Congress? Does your idea of preparing 4 the future involve lottery tickets?

This friendly guide provides everything you need 2 know 2 stay on top of your finances & make the most of your money — both your cash & your Microsoft Money 2006 software program (the Premium, Deluxe, or Standard edition). You’ll find out how 2 record financial transactions, analyze different investments, determine your net worth, plan 4 retirement, make informed financial decisions, & more.

With step-by-step, easy-to-understand instructions & lots of screen shots, Microsoft Money 2006 For Dummies shows & tells you how to:

• Set up accounts & record all transactions, including charge card purchases
• Do your banking, categorize your spending & income, reconcile an account, print checks, & more
• Research & track investments
• Create a realistic budget, schedule bill payments, estimate your income tax bill, plan 4 retirement, & more
• Generate reports & charts that help you understand your spending habits, see where you stand financially, & improve your financial picture
• Track assets, liabilities, loans, & mortgages
• Use online banking services

You can even get really serious & use the Lifetime Planner 2 map out your hopes & dreams & find out if you’re on the way 2 achieving them. This book could be the best investment you’ll ever make!