For clarification - mint.com https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mint&hl=en Not Mint Linux. ;) Adam On 21 August 2012 14:39, Adam McCullough wrote: > I just use mint. It does most of what I want, and the integration with my > bank records is a snap to set up. > > Adam > > > On 21 August 2012 11:49, Matt Graham wrote: > >> From: Michael Butash >> > I've attempted probably no less than 4 times over the past 5 years or >> > so to get [GNUcash] working in efforts to track finances more >> effectively, >> > but never once got the hbci stuff working with my bank(s) to do so. >> That >> > bit was quite cryptic and frustrating >> >> I haven't tried that, since I usually have fewer than 5 bank transactions >> per >> day, so entering these by hand is easy/fast. Getting Finance::Quote >> installed >> and set up for tracking stock/mutual funds was relatively easy once I'd >> read >> the fine manual. >> >> > That and the accounting knowledge required to use it effectively simply >> > eludes me as much seemed to assume I actually understood accounting. >> >> Take a look at the basic help, >> http://gnucash.org/docs/v2.4/C/gnucash-help/help.html , and see if >> anything >> in >> the advanced help , >> http://gnucash.org/docs/v2.4/C/gnucash-guide/index.html >> is >> interesting. >> >> The thing to do when setting up GNUcash is to start out your checking >> account >> opening balance with the opening balance on the first of (month), then >> just >> enter all the income/expenses from then til today that are on your bank >> statement. Start your cash in wallet opening balance with the bills in >> your >> wallet. *DON'T* try to enter everything you have records of, just pick a >> start date.[0] Then spend 5 minutes every day recording what you spent >> that >> day and what you spent it on. >> >> The real power of GNUcash is that it forces you to categorize every >> transaction. $4.65 double venti marshmellow fluff mocachino every day? >> That >> accumulates in Expenses:Dining and then you say, "What in the name of >> Richard >> Stallman did I spend so much money on in Dining?" and then you think about >> buying cheaper drinks.[1] >> >> Split transactions and scheduled transactions are also useful. Though if >> I >> were going to use scheduled transactions a lot, I'd schedule the expenses >> <= 5 >> days in advance, so that your ledger reflects what you have *now*. And I >> only >> enter income transactions when I've actually got the money in my wallet or >> bank account. (Somebody I know scheduled a bunch of expenses and income >> transactions 180 days in advance, making it look as though she'd paid off >> her >> credit card on the overview window when there was still $1000 on it. >> While >> that might make you feel better, it doesn't reflect current reality....) >> >> FWIW, I haven't had any formal accounting training at all, and I managed >> to >> get GNUcash mostly figured out in 2000-2001, when the documentation was >> sort >> of incomplete. >> >> [0] Accountants, feel free to gasp in horror here. >> [1] Not if you file everything under Expenses:Miscellaneous , so don't do >> that. You'll probably need to create a few custom accounts. I have >> Expenses:Cat , you may need Expenses:Dog or Expenses:Kid . >> >> -- >> Matt G / Dances With Crows >> The Crow202 Blog: http://crow202.org/wordpress/ >> There is no Darkness in Eternity/But only Light too dim for us to see >> >> --------------------------------------------------- >> PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us >> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: >> http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss >> > >