How to Find an Online Program for Doing Your Monthly Expenses

Checkbook balances and monthly payments can be managed online.

Online software for tracking monthly expenses is available through a number of resources. Many programs are integrated with online bank account software to show how you make monthly payments, when the payments are due, credit and debit card purchases and available account balances. The advantage of having the software online is that it enables you to check the program from multiple computers, and some even offer access by cell phone. Budgeting for monthly expenses is consolidated into one program despite the number of bank accounts or creditors involved.

Instructions

1. Consult a financial publication for online budgeting software resources. The articles in finance magazines will offer a review of programs along with mentioning whether or not they are free.

2. Check software producers for online budgeting programs. Quicken makes "Mint," a free program for tracking monthly house expenses. Mint monitors financial institution activity, excluding broker accounts. It can send text and email messages for alerts and reminders. Quicken also sells "Starter" with free support during installation, easy data export to TurboTax and easy data import from the discontinued Microsoft Money program. IBM makes "Cognos TM1," a budgeting program for businesses to analyze, model and forecast the budget for an entire enterprise.

3. Check through the online lists for budgeting software. Consumer websites offer lists of budgeting software products that are available online along with information about the program features and costs.

4. Compare the different features offered by online budget management programs. "Clear Checkbook" free online software allows manual entries for cash monthly payments in addition to showing data from bank websites. It's also manageable from cell phones. "Rich or Poor" accounting software can manage personal accounts and small businesses for a one time purchase fee. It monitors several account types including investment, asset and liability. "Wesabe" adds a community experience to your anonymous online account software with an open member forum.

Tips & Warnings

• Some banks charge fees for integrating software with their online tools. Check your bank's policies for using third party software. Some financial institutions even charge monthly fees that will add to your monthly expenses.

References

• The Wall Street Journal: Smart Money: Budgeting Software: A Free Way to Manage Your Finances

Resources

• CEO World Magazine: Top 10 Best Personal Finance, Money Management and Budgeting Software
• Mint From the Makers of Quicken: The Best Free Way to Manage Your Money Online
• IBM: Cognos TM1
• The Budget Fashionista: Top Ten Online Money Management Tools
• Dough Roller: 10 Online Budget Tools