Easy Budget Planner

CNET Editors' review

by: CNET staff on October 21, 2009

Easy Budget Planner provides a series of basic tools to help you monitor your finances. The program has a simple layout and thoughtful options.

Easy Budget Planner's stark white interface was logical to navigate. Its helpful onscreen directions and basic command icons were so intuitive we didn't learn anything new from the Help file. The program provided tabs for entering our expenses and incomes, all broken down into surprisingly fine detail. We were able to note every penny we earned and spent. It accounts for expenses ranging from rent to personal items like toiletries, and incomes ranging from regular salary to investments. While we needed to have a lot of data handy to get the numbers right, we were rewarded with grand totals of all the money coming in and leaving our finances. This was helpful, but the program didn't really take off until we explored its Report feature. Here we were able to break down our budget on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis; look at a pie chart of expenses; and determine how much we needed to save to buy something on our wish list. The program required a lot of manual data entry, but it repaid us with a stunningly clear view of our finances.

Easy Budget Planner has a 15-day trial limit. It comes as a compressed file and leaves behind desktop items, start menu items, and folders upon uninstall.

Publisher's Description

From EasyBudget:

Finally, an easy budgeting program which does not require skills in spreadsheets or a degree in finance to use it. Simple and easy home budgeting software with the following unique features. No Spreadsheets--this software is fully self-contained and does not rely on Microsoft Excel or the internet to operate. World-wide use--works with over 58 world currencies, making it perfect for use in just about any part of the world. Awesome reports--this software comes with an array of numerical and graphical reports showing your current financial position, your Expenses vs Income and your daily cost of living. All reports are displayed in full on your screen with the option to securely print if required. Customizable--there are over 75 fields preset for your convenience and over 40 customizable fields for those who want to add more personal information. Wish List--this software not only helps you manage your budget, but also has a built-in wish list. Just pop in the items you really want to buy and the software will work out when you'll be able to afford it--giving you even more reason to stick to your budget. Multiple accounts--teach your kids to budget. This program will allow up to four user accounts at no extra charge, so you can have an account for yourself and give out up to three accounts (on the same computer) to your kids. Research has proven that children from families who manage their money effectively have a much higher chance of financial success in life. This could be one of the most important life lessons you can teach them. Local data storage--all your personal financial details are stored on your computer and are never sent over the Internet--be very wary of anyone asking you to fill in an on-line budget. Data is password protected and encrypted--we've taken the local storage a step further.

Your personal financial records are also password protected and encrypted, so even if someone hacks into your computer your personal records are safely secured. Budgeting is a "must" in our current financial climate.

What's new in this version: 1. Integrated the "help" section. 2. Users can now delete profiles. 3. Tables extended to handle larger figures.