Have you got a really good way of managing your money?

[lastminute]

This year my plan is to analyze our expenditure in a bit more detail and I started to look at software packages but is that ott? I think I just need to import all the credit card transactions into Excel and categorize them, plus log all the cash/other transactions each day/week but am interested to know what works well.

I started to work out letter codes to apply to all the credit card transactions eg. D DIY, R restaurant, then thought two letters would be better as there are bound to be overlaps then thought I'm sure someone somewhere already has a fab system they could share, please.

[nigs]

I have been using Quicken for about 10 years now and have found it a very useful package. I haven't linked it to my bank account etc. Just use it as a standalone budgeting tool.

[Morning Glory]

I use Microsoft Money (but not sure if you can still get it anymore) but is fab couldn't live without it.

[pheasantchick]

Money saving expert (Martyn's Lewis) has a good spreadsheet you can use for budgeting purposes. Also, the book,'your money or your life' by Alvin Hughes is really good for organising your finances. It also has a budgeting page which I find useful.