Microsoft Money 2003 Deluxe [OLD VERSION]

Before you invest in Microsoft Money 2003 Deluxe, you should ask yourself if you really need it. If you're fortunate enough to have a simple financial environment with few delinquent payments, and if you've already arranged a comprehensive investment and online banking routine, you may find it redundant and superfluous. However, if you're constantly asking yourself where your latest paycheck went or simply don't know how to best make your money work for you, the program may well seem indispensable.

Sporting a wealth of online and offline tools, numerous instructional videos, and a series of supportive verbal prompts, Money 2003 is much more than just a simple debt and asset tracker. After a little familiarization and an hour or two with its excellent Setup Assistant, you'll soon be banking and paying bills from one convenient online interface, initiating and managing your investments, intelligently forecasting future expenditures and savings, and accurately estimating your taxes. The 2003 edition also allows you to research investments, initiate stock reminders and alerts, track equity and index options, and even customize interfaces.

Furthermore, Money 2003 Deluxe features several intriguing additional perks not found in the Standard edition. Microsoft has also included one year of complimentary online bill payments through MSN, a variety of sophisticated portfolio management and tax tools, and much more. Potential customers should be advised that many of the program's services are functional only if you have an Internet connection and a Microsoft Passport. Fortunately, the latter is free of charge.

Microsoft Money 2003 is a broad offline and online financial planner and record-keeper that will make quick work of any and all budgetary issues. Its slick presentation may even make the usually laborious job of managing personal finances downright enjoyable. --Gordon Goble

Amazon.com Product Description
Microsoft Money 2003 Deluxe lets you manage your day-to-day finances, pay bills, track investments, prepare and file your taxes, and build a financial plan for your future. New features include auto balancing, a bills estimator, spending comparison reports, and investment reminders.

With Deluxe you can manage all aspects of your investment portfolio. Track your investments, including stocks, mutual funds, equity, index, and employee stock options. Estimate capital gains and view performance reports. Research investments and keep up with market developments with MSN Money tools. Achieve your future financial goals, such as reducing your debt, forecasting your cash flow, planning for retirement, financing an education, or saving to buy a house or car.

Money 2003 Deluxe features improved register reconciliation, better bill management, and the ability to save up to five scenarios to compare options of realized capital gains. Automatically balance accounts when they match your downloaded statements. Track equity and index calls, puts, and LEAPs. Even define the way payees are matched in downloaded statements to suit your preferences. Money 2003 Deluxe is a complete solution for finance management on your PC.

I was about to buy my 2003 update when I was encouraged to try MS Money. Since I do always search for the best product, I hesistantly placed my order. I got it and can just say WOW. No regrets here on switching. I was really expecting to junk it and stick either get Quicken 2003 or stay with Quicken 2002.

It does take a little getting used to MS Money. But, after a day or two, you are rockin' and rollin' as you would be on Quicken.

Does this program do much that Quicken doesn't? Well, no. BUT, when you factor in the integration with MS Money Online, then you have a clear winner. Quicken.com is no where near as good as Money Buy it, try it, and you'll be a convert too.

Admittedly, I haven't used Quicken Deluxe 2003, but the demo I downloaded didn't offer much more. All the reviews I've read really think both programs are about on par. Like the reviewers, I too believe the big advantage with MS Money is all the great things it does on the web.

Free tax filing by H&R Block is an added bonus as is free first year of MSN online banking. Though I doubt I'll switch from my free internet bank.


A worthy upgrade   August 20, 2002
Gadgester (Mother Earth)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

I agree with the earlier reviewers about the myriad positive features this upgrade brought. Faster operations, better stability, exciting new features (e.g., batch bill pay, ability to handle options - finally! - auto balancing, better portfolio views, etc. etc.), and still a great price. Even without the rebate, this is a worthy upgrade. BTW, CompUSA has the lowest price I've seen.

The only gripe I have with Money is the still confusing interface, esp. for the new Money user. I've used it for 3 years now and sometimes I still can't find what I'm looking for. Luckily, the Help's search function is VERY useful and always locates the functionality I need.

Highly recommended.


Great Product but Upgrade May Not Be Required   November 12, 2002
Randy Given (Manchester, CT USA)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

For the past 5 years I have preferred Money over the competition. This year, the sixth, is no different. For the product itself, I give it five stars, but for M2003 upgrades from last year's M2002, I only give it three stars. There are no earth-shaking changes for me and there were no great error corrections in this version. I could easily live with M2002 for another year, but I do like to have the latest version when practical. If it is your first version, it is definitely worthwhile. The planner functions are great and, so far, the competition has gotten better but still not as good as M2003.