CNET Editors' review
CommonCents from EnDevelopment is a personal financial tool based on the tried-and-true envelope budget system, which traditionally involves putting money for expenses aside in paper envelopes so that you're forced to live on whatever is left over. Such cash-oriented budgets enforce old-school financial discipline, but they have limitations, especially when it comes to record-keeping. CommonCents improves the envelope method with a comprehensive suite of tools for managing everything from cash and credit cards to banking, loans, and mortgages, not to mention complete transaction histories and real-time account and envelope balances.
CommonCents' main interface, My Vault, features a main display divided into four resizable panes. The program's main view and its general approach toward recording and displaying information is an interesting hybrid of spreadsheet and Windows app, with a tree view for navigation plus customizable tables that have the familiar feel and functions of a spreadsheet program, such as Excel. The program is divided into 11 Managers that configure and control not only the Vault but also Account, Envelope, Income, Budget, Backup, Reconciliation, and other features. Clicking each calls up a dialog with checkboxes and other options that simplify setting up your personal information: You just check or uncheck items as needed. There doesn't seem to be anything left out, from Dining to Insurance to Taxes, but you can assign any expense or item you need to. Indeed, we were particularly impressed with the way this program manages to combine the total flexibility of a spreadsheet tool with excellent assistance and ready-made solutions. It had us budgeting in no time flat, and it shows the real appeal of the envelope method.
Nearly everyone can benefit from a good budgeting tool. CommonCents' combination of comprehensive coverage, flexibility, and ease of use with the commonsense envelope method definitely sets it apart from the crowd and earns our recommendation.
Editors' note: This is a review of the full version of CommonCents 3.3.73.520. The trial version is limited to 60 days only.
Publisher's Description
From enDevelopment:
This newest version retains the easy-to-use layout of previous versions that gives users a complete financial picture on one screen, but adds enhanced functionality and better data reporting and management tools. CommonCents is based on the envelope budget system, which assigns income and expenses to specific budget categories. Traditional envelope budgeting works with cash divided into paper envelopes. While a cash-only budget is an effective way to control spending, it does have limitations. CommonCents software improves on the traditional paper envelope system with the ability to provide a written history of all income and expenditures with real-time account and envelope balances. It also gives users the ability to manage all financial accounts--checking, savings, investments, credit cards, mortgage or other loans, and even cash.
CommonCents is as flexible as a spreadsheet, but simple enough that most people can get started quickly. The software comes installed with a default list of budget envelopes and account types that can be edited as needed. The user-friendly main screen includes a familiar checkbook-style register to record income and expenses, a panel showing all financial accounts with current balances, and a list of envelopes with current balances. Envelope and account balances update automatically with each transaction recorded. Powerful, time-saving features of CommonCents include the ability to automatically distribute income to envelope categories using fixed amounts or percentages, speed data entry by importing and editing information from financial institutions, split transactions into two or more envelopes, transfer money from one envelope to another, reconcile accounts, and archive and backup data.
What's new in this version: Version 3.12.98.658 is a maintenance release that resolves minor defects.
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 21 votes
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Current version:
3.5 starsout of 4 votes
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My rating:
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Results 1-4 of 4
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"Finally a program that helps me stick to my budget!"
Version: CommonCents 3.12.98.658
Pros
I am a very busy person with very little time to keep track of my finances. Commoncents solves this problem for me. It is simple to use and so easy to keep track of my actual spending and what is left in my budget each week. I have found no other software program that works as well at keeping accurate up to date spending and budgeting. I not only know how much I have spent each week but I know how much I have left in each budget category. I love it!! It's the only way I know how to keep honest to by budget!
Cons
I don't have anything negative to say about the product.
Summary
I highly recommend this program. It is especially useful for those who live on a tight budget. If every penny counts and there is not a lot of room for overspending then this product is for you. Mom's who do all the shopping for the family, this is the answer you have been looking for. With so many needs each week for the family and household this is a tool that will finally help you stay on track each month instead of feeling that "overspender's guilt" as the bills roll in and you realize you spent way more than you intended for the family. I really love this program and feel it is a answer to prayer for me and my family!
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"Catastrophic Failure & Backups Don't Work"
Version: CommonCents 3.12.98.658
Pros
Very good implementation of envelope budgeting. Easy to use. Clear.
Cons
After using for several months would not start due to "Attempted to access an unnamed file past its end". Then the restore from backups would not work. They were unable to find the data base to restore to or some such thing. I tried a lot of things and somehow finally got it to work but it was a close call. DO NOT TRUST THE BACKUPS. Better to make your own backups using backup software or copying the entire Common Cents vault directory.
Another minor issue is that the find function doesn't work across accounts. It should be able to find things anywhere in the vault. -
"Like the idea but could be a lot better"
Version: CommonCents 3.12.98.658
Pros
The software implements the envelope style of budgeting which I'm all for.
Cons
It's got a lot of "misses" in my opinion. The styles is bland grey. Wondering why the developer thought this was a good thing. The help file is bloated. I hate the "manager" theme with every thing. Why not just call it Envelopes instead of The Envelope Manager. Also, I didn't find the instructions to be as clear on setup as they could have been.
The company itself doesn't offer any connection or updated news so as a user, I felt as if the developer had "gone dark" on their own paid software.Summary
Could be a lot better. As I was just notified of a version 4, I hope they will use some 'common sense' and have redesigned their software from scratch instead of using the same old template.
Sorry Aaron but you have received correspondence from me asking about development. Don't get me wrong, I actually think CommonCents hits the mark on what a lot of people are wanting an envelope budgeting software to do just from my experience on forums on various message boards. Good to hear you guys haven't gone dark, just would like to see a post or so on your site is all. By the way, I am listed as one who does get updates so I know how often they do or don't come. Regardless, I'll look forward to what's in store for 4.0 and give it a try when it comes out. Thanks Aaron.
Updated on Apr 28, 2012 -
"Easy and simple to understand"
Version: CommonCents 3.12.98.658
Pros
Clear instructions
Cons
A little commercial looking
Summary
Four Stars
Results 1-4 of 4
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