As you all know, personal finance is one of my interests. I’ve been a Quicken user for a number of years, and have advocated it to just about everyone. If you read my article about Personal Finance Software, you know I gave a quick shout-out to the Quicken Starter Edition. If your financial picture is slightly more complex (retirement accounts, brokerage accounts, credit cards, and loans), you should look at either the deluxe or premier versions. I’ve been using (and enjoying) the deluxe version of Quicken for close to 6 years now!
Did I Upgrade?
I’m not going to lie, I typically only upgrade my Quicken software about every-other version (or as necessary as certain online features are discontinued). I was using the 2009 version of Quicken Deluxe, but figured I’d research if Quicken 2010 was worth the upgrade. My current version also seemed to be a bit “buggy,” as it would crash when I would Alt-Tab to another app while running the One-Step Update. In my quest for more Quicken 2010 details, I found a great Quicken 2010 review at Fiscal Geek. After reading the review, I came to the conclusion that Quicken 2010 looked promising and went for it.
UPDATE: You should definitely try to keep your Quicken versions relatively up-to-date. I’ve read a number of forum posts where folks have had trouble converting their Quicken files when the software is multiple versions behind. As you can see, we’ve even had a few comments on this post relating the same information. If you run into this issue, I recommend contacting Quicken support. They may be able to provide you “intermediary” versions that you can use to bring your data files forward.
So What’s the Verdict?
For starters, the Fiscal Geek review was spot-on. In my experience, Quicken 2010 is stable and snappy. While I’m still in the process of setting them up, I particularly enjoy the budgeting/spending goals and debt reduction planner. I’ve also been poking around with the investment tools and like them as well.
If you’ve already made the jump to Quicken 2010, I’d be interested to hear your personal experience with the software. As always, if you have questions, feel free to Contact Me directly!
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cool blog, rss following now and wish to see some similar posts soon.
Natmat,
That’s interesting and I’ll have to see if I can replicate that same behavior. I agree that monthly reconciliation can be tedious, especially if Quicken isn’t behaving like you would expect it to.
To be honest, I don’t use the full “reconcile” features. All of my accounts allow me to download my transactions in Quicken format (QFX). When I download my transactions, Quicken allows me to “match” all the transactions in my register with a downloaded transaction. As such, I “reconcile” every few days versus at the end of the month when my statements are ready.
If the monthly reconciliation is giving you fits, try downloading transactions from your financial institution (and/or use the “one step update”) ever few days and see if you find this easier to manage.
Thanks for your comment!!
Been using Quicken off and on since 1991. Have recently retired and got serious about tracking entire net worth and budgeting. Very happy with 2010 delux. My major bug issue (that support doesn’t seem interested in) is….. After reconciling accounts you need a pop up notification that you are changing a previously reconciled balance. (I don’t mean changing a reconciled item) Need to lockout changes to previous months. I am forever inadvertently posting something to a previous month that throws off the reconciliations and this is time consuming to track down. The closest I can come to assisting this problem is to add the “bank” balance to the memo field to compare to the “book” balance at every reconciled statement cutoff date.
I purchased and downloaded Quicken 2010 over the 2007 version on my XP system. 2010 seems to have wrecked my computer. Outlook is on the fritz, and other programs are unstable. I am constantly having to reboot to get things to function. Most of my accounts were updated just fine, but the busiest one is a disaster. Every payee all the way back through 2007 was converted to “check”.
When I tried to call Intuit the web site with the phone number was down. I’m guessing they can’t handle the volume.
Also a Long Time User
Thank you for your input. I did backup the old files, loaded the new Quicken 2010 and copied the files. It all worked and I am back in action again. Thanks again.
Eveleen,
I’m not sure whether Quicken 2010 will be able to directly convert your files from Quicken 2000. I found an article on Quicken’s Support website (Using an Intermediate Version to convert older versions of Quicken) that suggests you may be able to directly convert, as Quicken 2000 appears to be one of the supported “intermediates” for much older versions.
At any rate, I would recommend you make a back up of your Quicken files BEFORE attempting to convert your files. If you’ve already purchased Quicken (Quicken Deluxe 2010 [DOWNLOAD]), feel free to contact Quicken Support to find out if it will be possible.
Good Luck with your conversion! Hope you enjoy Quicken 2010 as much as I have!
I HAVE BEEN USING QUICKEN FOR YEARS BUT NOW I AM IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING COMPUTERS AND AM READY TO CHANGE TO QUICKEN 2010 BUT AM NERVOUS ABOUT IT AFTER READING ONE OF THE PREVIOUS COMMENTS. I WOULD BE CHANGING FROM 2000 EDITION TO 2010 WOULD THIS CAUSE ME ANY PROBLEMS.
WORRIED.
Bummed,
There are still a number of options out there, I’m sure you can find something that fits your tastes. Have you looked into Mint? It gives a much easier to interpret view of your finances. Also, feel free to read through my previous blog post regarding personal finance software. There’s a couple more options mentioned there you may want to check out!
Thanks for your comment and good luck!
Rob
I am so bummed that Microsoft Money is discontinuing its product. I loved that product. I have tried Quicken in the past and didn’t care for it. I converted to Quicken 2010 and I must say I am very disappointed…really don’t like the product. Really don’t like the transaction input. You get so lost in all the lines! I don’t like the investment overscreen either!
No sure what I am going to do…
Longtime,
I’m sorry to hear that you had trouble with it. What version of Quicken did you have previously? That might be good for others to know out there on the Internet that are considering an upgrade. I wonder if you contacted Intuit Customer Support, they would provide you the installation files for an interim version of Quicken (such as 2008 or 2009)? That way, you could install and convert, and then install Quicken 2010 to convert your “converted” file. I know that’s a hassle, but it might work if you decide you’d like to give Quicken 2010 another try.
Definitely let us know your previous version though. I’m sure there are others out there that would appreciate the heads up!
Rob
It seems that Quicken is more interested in supporting Microsoft Money users that they are interested in current Quicken Users. I have been using Quicken for years and now when I go to install 2010 version, it tells me it will not convert any of my existing data. I must start from blank and reenter all my information. Well I will not do that. Instead I will no longer use any Intuit product and that includes Quicken and Turbo Tax.
Such sorry service they do not deserve any customers.
Longtime Quicken User.
I made the jump to Quicken 2010! I’ll keep you all posted on my thoughts after I’ve had a chance to dig into the program a little more!