| In these uncertain times, finding the best | | | | We would always test drive a car before making |
| budgeting software can be nearly as important as | | | | a purchase, and many software companies permit |
| making the decision to budget. The keys to this | | | | the use of a "test" version which can be |
| decision are found in the answer to three | | | | downloaded to see if it suits your purposes. |
| important questions: Is it easy to use?, Is it | | | | Is it customizable? Customizability is important |
| customizable?, and Can I create custom reports? | | | | because the program needs to meet the needs |
| Because financial times are difficult for so many | | | | of people with differing needs. This concept is also |
| of us, budgeting has found its way to the top of | | | | important because your situation may change |
| our priority list. Finding the best budgeting | | | | over time. What if you add a home-based |
| software for us requires a little knowledge and a | | | | business to your budget? What if you buy a |
| lot of introspection. | | | | rental home - can the system track multiple |
| Is it easy to use? For the simplest of budgets, a | | | | accounts? You may want to spend extra money |
| computer program is replaced by a lined pad and | | | | on a system, which will permit these changes |
| pencil. The first thing to remember is the ease of | | | | over time. You may also want to consider that |
| use sometimes requires a tradeoff with a lack of | | | | that hand-entering every transaction is tedious |
| flexibility. For those of us who may be | | | | and time-consuming. It is also prone to error. A |
| apprehensive about putting software on the | | | | system, which permits online links to your various |
| computer, some online services are available for | | | | accounts to download the data will be a great help |
| budgeting. The advantage here is that, for a price, | | | | as your financial complexity changes. |
| they can also be available for support questions. | | | | |