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2005 Taxes are DONE!
By JLP | February 25, 2006
It feels good to get the taxes finished! I used Tax Cut Deluxe that I bought at Wal Mart. I chose the Deluxe version rather than the Deluxe Edition + State that I received in the mail because it was cheaper and I’m not interested in upgrading Microsoft Money. I could have gotten by the Standard Edition which was $9.95 compared to the $14.95 I paid for the Deluxe. However, the Deluxe version came with a $15,95 rebate for E-filing. So, for $5 more, I save $15.95. Seems like a good deal to me.
I don’t know what it is but I have purchased several editions of Microsoft Money and NEVER use any of them. To me, they all stink because I find them hard to use. Money doesn’t allow me to do the things I THINK I should be able to do. For instance, I hate the process of organizing the categories in Money. They could make it MUCH easier than it is to pick and choose how you want to do categories.
One other thing that drove me nuts about Microsoft Money 2005 is that it wouldn’t update all my accounts. What’s the use of something that is supposed to “automate” things when it doesn’t automate ALL of them?
So, I have my crude spreadsheets that my wife and I put together. They are fine until someone comes out with the perfect personal finance software package. I’m not holding my breath!
Topics: Taxes | 3 Comments »
February 26th, 2006 at 1:08 am
Congratulations on getting the taxes done. I need to get started on mine..
I completely agree with your sentiments about Microsoft Money. I tried it out last year and, while the interface was certainly “lickable”, I found it very difficult to setup for even basic tasks.
I tried a version of Quicken that came with my computer, and every time I tried to use a feature that looked interesting, it told me I needed to upgrade to a premium version!
So I too am sticking with my spreadsheets. If I want a new feature, I generally just have to enter a new formula.
February 26th, 2006 at 8:47 am
I’ve been using verious versions of Quicken and have data going back to January 1, 1997. I have yet to buy Quicken, as every new computer that I’ve bought seems to come with a free copy. So every time I get a new computer, I upgrade to the latest version for free.
February 27th, 2006 at 2:21 am
This year I finally gave in and had to caugh up serious dough to get my taxes done professionally. I have five different schedules and my wife’s new car, used chiefly for business, to deal with this year. Also, none of the tax packages I looked at could handle self-employed retirement plans – or at least they weren’t easy to find.