Quicken 2002 Deluxe [OLD VERSION]

Installing the upgrade is practically transparent, and new users will only have to pay attention for a few minutes before taking a quick coffee break and letting the computer do the work. Data entry is painless now that nearly every major bank and investment house has online information access, though this can be moderately tricky to implement, depending on the business in question.

Those who are a bit more daring can branch out from basic data maintenance and ask the onboard experts for advice on debt reduction, college payment, and many other common financial milestones. Links to helpful online services abound--though they're incomplete, they're a good start--and users should be able to find information on just about any topic they need.

Upgraders will find the 2002 version a bit slicker and better suited to Web transactions, but little is otherwise different. Those shifting from other packages or new to personal financial management software will have a short but steep learning curve.

Will Quicken make up for sloppy budgeting, bad investment advice, or the heartbreak of tax day? No, but it will help users committed to financial responsibility achieve their goals without going crazy, and that's more than enough. --Rob Lightner

Amazon.com Product Description
Quicken 2002 Deluxe helps you manage the seven key areas of your finances: banking, investing, taxes, planning, spending and saving, loans, and insurance. It's packed with powerful features and enhancements that help you see the complete picture of your finances. Balance your checkbook easily. Reconcile your bank statement in minutes. See where your money is going using insightful reports and graphs about your spending, budget, net worth, and more. Write checks, print checks, or send payments online. Download your bank records, pay bills, and transfer funds with online banking. Quicken works with more than 1,700 banks, credit card institutions, and brokerage companies.

Track and analyze your investments, 401(k), and IRAs easily. Gain valuable insights and see how your portfolio is performing at a glance. Download the latest stocks and mutual funds right into Quicken. Even download your brokerage records to minimize data entry. Users also get a step-by-step life events planner to help them plan for and monitor financial goals such as retirement, college, a big vacation, or a new home.

Take advantage of tax tracking and planning tools to help you keep more money and ease the pain of tax time. Search for tax deductions or explore ways to minimize capital gains taxes. Cut preparation time by transferring your Quicken tax data into TurboTax software.

While I don't regret the upgrade from 2001 to 2002 (I had none of the upgrade problems that other users have had), it provided no added benefits that made it worth the cost of the upgrade. That combined with the many problems people have had upgrading make this an upgrade to skip in my opinion.

My rating above reflects the overall rating of the product itself, not the upgrade. If you don't have a version earlier than 2000 (or if you've never used Quicken), I wouldn't hesitate to purchase 2002. Otherwise, wait until next year.


The Best in Personal Finance Software   February 24, 2002
David R. Bess (Charleston, WV)
17 out of 20 found this review helpful

I have used Quicken for several years, and now with Quicken 2002 Deluxe I am more convinced than ever that it is the best personal finance software available. Recently I evaluated a copy of Microsoft Money, but found it less user-friendly and lacking in the functionality of the Quicken line.

In comparison to the 2001 version, Quicken 2002 Deluxe has significantly enhanced budgeting tools. In the past, it appeared the program was written more for the upper class with many investments to manage rather than for the middle class with many ends to meet. Quicken 2002 Deluxe offers help for the vast majority of us who need to live on a budget both to pay our bills and to reduce our debts.

Quicken 2002 Deluxe will track multiple checking and saving accounts, credit cards, auto loans, home equity lines, mortgages, investments and more. The online banking features available make it possible to pay bills from the comfort of one's home with no check writing and no postage. This program will also produce a multitude of financial reports to chart progress in various areas. There simply is no product, in my assessment, that rivals the scope and the simplicity of Quicken.

A word of advice: purchase the deluxe version, not the basic version. The word "Basic" really means "partial" and the word "Deluxe" really means "full." For the few extra dollars required, Deluxe is a MUCH better bargain. Otherwise, a person with the basic version will begin to see how much he is missing, and will then pay much more money to upgrade to the deluxe features. It is cheaper to purchase Deluxe initially.

Another pointer for this program: make backups continually on a drive separate from your hard drive. I make a backup every time I use the program. With the backup features it is no chore at all, and it is definitely worth it should a hard drive fail or the main file accidentially be deleted.

If you are upgrading from Quicken 2001 or earlier, this package is well-worth the price. If you are a new user, try Quicken Deluxe and see what a difference it will make!


Great new look and easier to use   August 15, 2001
30 out of 44 found this review helpful

I am very impressed with the new version. It has a slightly newer look that helps to eliminate too much information. Entering downloaded transactions is easier, setting up and tracking the investments that I have is easier and best of all you can now remove a lot of the advertisements!


Best Upgrade For The New Year!   January 28, 2002
Oolon Coluphid (Southern California - Inland Empire, USA)
5 out of 7 found this review helpful

I have been using Quicken since Windows 3.1 starting with the DOS version. Can't imagine going back to pencil, paper and a calculator. Quicken 2002 Deluxe is a welcomed upgrade on my 600 MHz Pentium III PC running Windows 98 SE . It installed and converted my files easily and flawlessly! After I registered online it downloaded and installed an upgrade without any problems. It integrates with Quicken's web site (...) very nicely, even with my slow dialup connection.

It seems to be even easier to use than previous versions, even though it does more. I base `ease of use' on how often I have to click on help to figure out how to use the program. Its interface is well laid out and easily navigated, although if you are new to Quicken it may seem a little overwhelming at first. It almost holds your hand as it walks you through account set up and some of the data entry. It even has a `Quick Entry' feature that only loads your account register to enter just a few transactions. This is very convenient if you don't need the full range of Quicken tools. It can also track the stocks you are interested in and keep tract of your portfolio's current standing. Coupled with (...) researching stocks is much easier and offers a lot of help if you are new to investing. One thing consistent with all versions I've ever used, it does many more things than my finances dictate. To be honest, the only reason I upgraded is I just found out that Quicken 2000 Basic does not let you create savings goal accounts, which is one of my favorite features, but the Deluxe version does.

I am very happy with my purchase and would strongly recommend Quicken 2002 Deluxe to everyone.


I love Quicken!   January 16, 2002
justinashworth (Battle Ground, WA)
7 out of 10 found this review helpful

Despite what the masses say here, I think Quicken 2002 and my previous version, 2000, are the best thing that's ever happened to my personal finances. I use Quicken for budgeting, savings goals, online payments, online billing, and for management of several credit card accounts and several bank accounts. Budgeting is made really easy by using the built-in categories and categories I've created. I can even split a transaction between multiple categories. I've had no problems with the product and can't help but wonder if some of the negative reviews posted here are from within Microsoft. They have been known to do such things.