thanks for the clarification... I thought you meant LinuxMint! :-)~MIKE~(-: On Tue, Aug 21, 2012 at 2:41 PM, Adam McCullough wrote: > 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 >>> >> >> > > --------------------------------------------------- > 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 >