What are the best resources for personal financial planning and organization?

Question

I'm wondering about books, web sites, software, magazines, etc. We have Macs at home, own rental properties, currently keep finances on customized spreadsheets in Appleworks. Would like better sync with online banking for a more comprehensive and integrated picture. Also want to have a comprehensive source for information so that we consider all the key elements of our finances without letting things fall through the cracks.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Having a Mac makes it hard. There are few money tracking software packages that will work with your computer. Do you have bootcamp or anything that you can use to run quicken off of windows?

As far as books/sites, I have a resources page that, while still under development, has some good starting suggestions: http://www.personalfinance101.org/resources.html

Good luck!

Answer 2

For personal financial planning I really like David Bash's book "The Automatic Millionaire". It is full of easy to understand and practical hints on how to hold onto your money and make it grow for you. He concentrates on little things, but also has some general advise such as, 'buy before renting', cash before credit', 'if you don't need it, don't buy it', 'if you can't see your money, you won't spend it', 'save automatically not manually'. The quotes are mine not the authors, but are what I got out of the book.

A big problem with all your fancy softwares is that you see your money. That gives you ideas on how to spend it, often stupidly. It is better to hide your money away and not look at it unless you need it for something important.

Of course if you are a born spender, a born shopper, all this goes on deaf ears and you will be broke when you should be retiring.

Read David Bach's book and you will understand what I've been writing.

Answer 3

Intuit's Quicken personal finance software is some of the best out there, but I have to admit that their Windows version is pretty far superior to their MAC version. They also have a product out called Rental Property Manager, which is supposed to be very good for, duh, managing your rental properties. I recommend getting a Windows virtual machine running on your MAC so that you can use these software products (the online banking downloads are very widespread, and save so much time over manual entry!!!).

Answer 4

Yes you could learn invest by yourself. it is your money, you should know how to do with it. for starter check this site out.

http://www.pathtoinvesting.org/index_fla...
http://www.stockcharts.com
http://www.streettalklive.com>... university. a lot amount of information. It will serve you well
I accumulate in good amount in 401k at the young age.I could share with you. when consider invest in stock market. you should consider basic 3 things:

fundamental analysis==(economic data,finincial health, management, business model, competetion)>>what to buy

technical analysis==(chart+indicator)>> when to buy

Sentiment/schycho analysis==>>mood of investor, Contrarian point of view.
Market cycle===>> check out book Trader Almanac by jeff hirsch will give you inside stuff
When you combine 3 thing, It is one of the powerful knowledge goinh with you for the rest of your live

At the age of 32. my 401k is amassed 73,000.00 and 30000.00 in taxble account. by follow simple rule

Answer 5

I use Excel and created my own