- Quick specs
- Price: Free to try $15.00 to buy
- Operating system: Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP
- Date added: February 13, 2002
- Total Downloads: 148,519
- Downloads last week: 309
- See full specifications
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 33 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
Designed to help users get their spending habits under control, Home Budget is an electronic twist on the envelope-style system of budgeting for personal use. However, users who need a full accounting system with an in-depth ability to track assets, liabilities, and project cash flow will find this program falls short. This program gives users the ability to set up accounts (virtual envelopes) and move portions of income into these accounts. Somewhat flexible, the program accounts are easy to create using a set-up wizard that guides users through the point-and-click features. The smooth interface includes drop-down calendars and a built-in calculator. Functions include the ability to import Quicken data and online banking statements. Users also can schedule transactions, produce charts and graphs, or view account summaries and reports. Home Budget is designed for all levels of users, although there will be a slight learning curve for those not familiar with the envelope budgeting system.Publisher's description
From SoftPerfection :Home Budget allows you to keep track of all your bills, credit cards, and accounts using a modernized system of envelope-style money management. Separate accounts may be created for setting funds aside, and income can be transferred automatically to accounts earmarked for specific expenses. Additional features include the ability to import from Quicken, produce graphs, view net-worth reports, and set up automatic payments for indefinite or finite periods. This updated version features drop-down calendars, new account wizards, and autocompletion.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.1 stars out of 33 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 26 user reviewsSee all 26 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
12 out of 12 people found this review helpful
Version: Home Budget 4.02
Pros: As a convert from MS money, this product simply rocks! once you understand envelope style budgeting its really great. Well thought out and easy to use and rock solid performance. Does not take much space or system resources.
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7 out of 8 people found this review helpful
Version: Home Budget 4.02
"Not userfriendly... wanted a budget software, not Money or Quicken"
Pros: It's shareware, so nothing wasted other than time.
Cons: I downloaded this, looking for a simple budget program. I have MS Money and didn't/don't want to spend time putting in every credit card/checking/investment account I owned. I just wanted a software to track my utilities and monthly bills. If this program does it, I don't know how to do it. I entered my basic checking account info with balance and everything, but when I went to the budget window, it was blank and I couldn't add anything to it. I guess I just wanted a simple program to do a budget on, this program is more like Money in that it wants to have every transaction on every financial account you have. Money was easier to figure out, this program is basically an open window with some toolbars up top to go try to figure out what you need.
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Version: Home Budget 4.02
Pros: I've only played with the program for about 30min, but it has been easy to use and appears adequate for my purposes (several checking accounts, credit cards and only a few asset accounts).
Cons: If you go to the "About" info, you are "required" to register the software in 30 days. This is not freeware. Also, they are now charging $23, not $15 as the CNET website suggests.
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8 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Version: Home Budget 4.02
"Does Exactly What It Was Designed To do"
Pros: Home Budget (HB) is the perfect application for our household budgeting requirements. I have expensive high-end accounting software for my business and that is what is needed for full business accounting. But that type of software is unnecessarily complex for the relatively simple task of setting up and tracking a household budget.
HB is simple to set up, simple and reliable to use and it does exactly what my family needs, to maintain control over our family income and expenditure.
I downloaded several other shareware applications and none were entirely suitable for what we needed. I downloaded HB, tested it for an hour or so and then went ahead and purchased it online. (Version 4.06)
I have since transferred our existing (paper-based) household budget to HB, imported a QIF file from my online banking, tweaked some budget amounts, setup and executed Scheduled Transactionsand and printed out several reports and graphs. All processes worked flawlessly.
In my business, I employ a bookkeeper. In my home, I don't need one.
Home Budget is an excellent application.
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10 out of 12 people found this review helpful
Version: Home Budget 4.02
"Excellent for keeping a budget."
Summary: I've faithfully used this software for a year and a half. I'm fully aware that there are many programs with more features, higher quality GUI's, and a greater level of accounting built into the package. However, I just wanted to keep a budget so I w... read more >>
- See all 26 user reviews Write review
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