A few months ago I bought Quicken 2007 as an upgrade to my previous 2002 version so I could connect to my bank and do online updates. It didn't really work so well with my file created in 2000 and eventually I just had a big mess of uncompleted, improperly categorized transactions that told me what my balance was - sometimes.
I got disgusted enough with the situation that I decided to spend a day and set up a new file in 2007 with our last 3 months of financial data that I can get from WAMU online. So glad I did!
I found out how to use features I didn't know the program had and using them finally discovered why we never seem to have enough money. We're paying $1000 a month for debt. It's a lot of debt, I'll grant you, over $20K from J's 3 year period of self employment (paid down from $30K in January when he got a new job) but it's the 29% interest rate that's really killing us.
One of Quicken's other features is an ability to download information on your investment accounts, including retirement accounts. I'm not 30 yet, so I barely even glance at statements that come my way from the account managers, but I'm not able to ignore $25K so easily.
After a little research I found that I can take a loan on half of the balance in the account at a very reasonable 5% interest that is paid back to my account. $12K will go a long way to getting revolving debt paid off much sooner than our previously anticipated 2011 goal. Now we're looking at late 2009. Assuming credit ratings can be resolved, now that all our valid collection accounts have been paid off, that new, more fuel efficient vehicle is on its way!
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