This lets you watch or edit portfolios anywhere. Trouble is, it all still takes way too much time and remains prone to error and confusion. Despite downloading some of the data via the Net, the whole chore of setting up this relatively simple portfolio in Money cost me two hours and lots of eyestrain. Next, I copied the data file to create an identical account in Quicken. The whole experience left me feeling once again like a fool.
Some people swear by personal-finance software.
Ernie Kluft, a computer-systems executive who recently retired from Texas Utilities, is among an estimated 16 million users of Money and Quicken. I spent a lot of time sitting in my hotel room with a laptop and nothing to do,'' he told me. So he auditioned both programs, settling on the latter for its planning tools. I know what that says about me. I'm just going to bide my time until it's fully idiot-proof.