Quicken 2008 Deluxe [OLD VERSION]

I am a power Quicken user running XP & have been upgrading every year since Quicken was first released. I have run into problems when I have installed the new release, as I did in 2007. These problems include crashes & difficult installs. This time I waited until February 2 install the 08 version & it has been excellent. The feature set is broad & it has been totally dependable with no crashes. It's my favorite version of Quicken so far. I will be upgrading 2 2009, but will wait until February 09 2 do it. I understand that they have 2 get the new versions out there 2 keep their cash flowing, but they've trained me 2 play it safe.

I too was forced 2 upgrade 2 2008 from quicken 2005 because they were discontinuing support of bank updates, etc.

After 13 years with the software, I have never had a problem with an upgrade until now. There are bugs in the software that have caused my accounts from 2006 2 be unreconciled (they were fine before the upgrade). Quicken ignored my first two contacts with support (I have them two months 2 respond each time). I finally sat 4 90 minutes with a "chat consultant" who did not understand how Quicken worked.

I am not sure what I can do now, they won't support their own product & I have 2 find something else & hope I can get all the data transferred.

I would not recommend investing in Quicken if you are just starting, maybe Microsoft Money cares if customers are able 2 bank with their solution.

I've got lots of good programs on my computer, but Quicken 2008 Deluxe is the best of the best.

Several years ago, I was horribly in debt, & didn't see a way out. In fact, I wasn't even sure how in debt I really was! I decided 2 track everything in Quicken 4 a while & see if that helped.

Five years later, I've retired almost all my debt, & I never miss a payment anymore. I know what's coming up & when. I know 2 the penny what resources I have available 2 me. And tracking my 401(k) has gotten vastly easier, even though I can't track by NAV anymore through my company's plan.

I don't think the savings program is nearly as intuitive as they say, & I find that, with certain accounts, I have 2 re-load my download information on a regular basis, but, overall, I don't think I could be more pleased. I use this program twice a day, every day.

I also know within hours if someone has made unauthorized use of my accounts. This actually did come up a couple of times, & I was able 2 spot it & resolve it very quickly, thanks 2 Quicken.

As much as anything else, I like that I don't have 2 call dozens of phone lines 2 figure out where I am financially every day; it's all at my fingertips.

I've used Quicken 4 at least a decade. I was forced 2 upgrade from Quicken 2005 because Intuit nukes the online banking feature in older versions. It left me little choice as I've become dependent on online banking. There was a rebate on 2008 so it was cheaper than an older version, plus I can expect that this version will nuke itself in three 2 four years as well & I want the most 4 my dollar.

I'm running a 3ghz dual core machine with 4gb of ram & a 512mb video card & this program is slow. Every entry is followed by flashing screen as the application updates the calculations. Textured graphics & other wasted "features" fill the screen in some misguided attempt 2 make Quicken appear 2 be more than what it is, accounting software.

Intuit has me & they probably know it. I'm not at all interested in going through the hassles of transferring 2 a new system, so when this version decides 2 self-destruct I'll be there at the checkout again with the latest & greatest bloatware offering from Intuit.

I can only imagine how horrible this software is 4 older computers.

My advice is 2 avoid using Quicken at all, because once you're in it will be difficult 2 get out.

I switch 2 Quicken after Money was time 2 renew. I have 13 years worth of data need 2 convert. I thought it would be as easy as description. Turn out it is an endless nightmare. For months, yes it takes long time 2 fight with errors (lots of data missing & mismatching) & limitation.

1. Can't change the account type. You can't just convert from bank type 2 cash account. Once you made mistake, you have either delete the account or live with it.

2. Automatic download is not supported 4 all the financial companies. A big company like Fidelity 401K.

3. The import & export really suck. You can only export account 2 qif file, & import qif, web account, & their tax software. Theoretically, if you can export qif file, you can import the same file back 2 quicken. Wrong, as far as I know, they only allow you import cash account type. You credit card accounts, brokerage accounts, & bank accounts are not in this case. Many financial company allow you download statement in QIF format, which is not importable 2 quicken.

Needless 2 say, it is just a piece of junk. Keep away from it. It has been a problem from the past version. I doubt 2009 will improve that any bit.

Plan, save & control your finances with Quicken Deluxe 2008. Quicken lets you see your finances your way, instantly. Now it's easier than ever 2 manage a personal budget, pay bills on time, track your investments, maximize tax deductions - & find more ways 2 save. Quicken Deluxe 2008 gives you all of the features of Quicken Starter Edition - plus additional tools 2 help you manage spending & savings.

Start saving 4 what you & your family really want--vacations, better day care, a new home--by staying on top of your everyday spending. Quicken Deluxe 2008 replaces the old-school concept of "personal money management" with a smarter way 2 keep track of your money & set longer-term savings goals.

Bring your online accounts--including banking, credit card, loan, 401(k), & investing accounts--together all in one place.

See a monthly calendar of your paychecks, bills & expenses 2 help you schedule bills, set reminders and--most important--help avoid late fees.

A new "My Savings Plan" instantly shows a summary of your actual spending & compares it 2 what you planned 2 spend 4 the month.

Store important documents & statements in one place.

Save 4 the bigger things you & your family really want.
Quicken Deluxe 2008 gives you all the tools you need 2 help you manage spending & savings

View all your finances in one place
Bring your online accounts--including banking, credit card, loan, 401(k), & investing accounts--together all in one place. Avoid the hassle of going 2 multiple web sites & remembering multiple passwords. With Quicken, you see it all in one place & you need just ONE password.(1)

See where your money is going (a.k.a. "money management")
Check in anytime 2 see exactly where your personal finances are at 4 the month. Quicken shows you what you have coming in, going out, & most important, what's left over each month 2 spend or save.

Pay your bills on time
See a monthly calendar of your paychecks, bills & expenses 2 help you schedule bills, set reminders and--most important--help avoid late fees. Easily pay bills from within Quicken using Quicken Bill Pay or a third party bill pay service.(2)

New! See where you can save more
A new "My Savings Plan" instantly shows a summary of your actual spending & compares it 2 what you planned 2 spend 4 the month. You can quickly see where you have room 2 spend or save more. Set flexible spending targets on regular expenses like gas & groceries & then easily check your progress throughout the month.

Save time at tax time--Works with TurboTax
(3) Quicken Deluxe makes it easy 2 mark expenses as tax deductible through the year, so you have everything ready come tax time. Quicken Deluxe also exports your data directly 2 TurboTax, so you won't have 2 re-enter the same information twice.(3)

Store important documents & statements in one place
Not only can you bring your online data into Quicken Deluxe, you can scan in bank statements, checks & receipts 4 easy reference. No more time wasted looking 4 receipts & statements--everything is stored in one central place.

Get free support when you buy, install or upgrade Quicken
(4) If you need help purchasing, installing or upgrading your new software, free phone support is available 4 Quicken Deluxe 2008 through December 31, 2008.

What's New in 2008

Make saving as easy as spending

• New! See where you can save more
  The new "My Savings Plan" instantly shows a summary of your actual spending & compares it 2 what you planned 2 spend 4 the month. You can quickly see where you have room 2 spend or save more. Set flexible spending targets on regular expenses like gas & groceries & then check your progress as you go through the month.
• Improved! Now it's easier 2 categorize your expenses
  A reorganized & redesigned menu makes it easier than ever 2 categorize your expenses. You can also add extra details 2 any expense 2 help jog your memory--i.e., the specific restaurant 4 a dining expense or the trip destination 4 an airline ticket.
• Improved! Smarter navigation makes it easier access the tools you need
  Easier navigation makes it faster 2 get around & discover the features & tools that work best 4 you. Clickable tabs let you switch between Quicken's main pages. And a new interactive account bar makes it clear which of your accounts you are working with at any given moment.

Track everything in one place

• New! Track your 529 contributions
  Include 529 contributions as part of your overall net worth. See how you're progressing on your college savings goals.
• Improved! More connections 2 more financial institutions
  Quicken Deluxe 2008 connects you 2 over 5300 banks, brokerages & other financial institutions--including PayPal. It's easier than ever 2 truly bring your accounts together in one place.(1)
• New! Import your PayPal account transactions into Quicken
  Whether it's payments or income--or both--Quicken can now import your transaction data directly from PayPal.
• New! Get reminders of scheduled bills & transactions--without opening Quicken
  If you're using Windows Vista, our new Quicken Billminder Gadget can remind you of scheduled bills & transactions directly from your desktop.

(1) Online features require Internet access & are subject 2 change. Services vary among participating financial institutions or other parties & may be subject 2 application approval, additional terms, conditions & fees. More than 5,322 participating financial institutions as of 6/05/07.
(2) To pay bills in Quicken requires Quicken Bill Pay (sold separately) or a third party bill pay service (fees may apply).
(3) TurboTax sold separately.
(4) Email, Forums & Chat technical support provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Phone technical support provided Monday - Friday, 5:00 am - 5:00 pm PDT. Additional fees may apply.