Thursday, January 28, 2010

The Big Bad Budget Software

As I alluded to in the previous post, I recently decided to tackle the The Big Bad Budget. {Insert shrill scream here} Oh, the never ending, always changing, numbering crunching budget! My husband asked me to take it over since I stay home and he doesn't feel like he has the time to focus on it. Me being the caring, helpful naive, wife that I am, jumped right on board! What was I thinking!

To help me transition smoothly into my new task and make my life simple, I wanted a software program that could help me keep track of how much money we actually have for various budgeted items. Shouldn't be too hard to find, or so I thought. So, I wondered through the forest of budgeting software on the web, pausing every now and then to examine the bright and colorful displays of various programs growing along the path of the fiscally responsible.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find one to suite my needs and price. After searching for quite sometime, I discovered that I was hopelessly lost! What was I going to do and how would I ever find my way. Fortunately for me, it was at that time that I happened upon a very helpful forest animal that so kindly directed me back to my path by offering me exactly what I needed. Not only that, but he offered his services to me at a reasonable rate. Yes, I had found it, cheap software that was based on the envelope budgeting system. (For a well known system, I was shocked by how the forest was lacking in software that supported the idea.) I could finally rest at peace knowing that I was going to tackle this budget head on, and I was going to show my husband just how simple it could be, with the help of this wonderful forest creature of course. But little did I know this animal actually turn out to be nothing more than a wolf in budgeting software clothing.

This wolf’s goal was to make my life miserable and possibly even eat me alive! He dressed up like a familiar design to hide his imperfections, but turned out to be a little more complex. I soon discovered that The Big Bad Wolf did not want to see me succeed in my planned endeavor. No, this wolf wanted me to see budgeting in a poor light. He wanted to make me run away from my new found responsibility. Believe me, he was almost successful. I was so confused! I was frustrated to no end!!! In short, it was driving me C.R.A.Z.Y!!!! I worked on it all day Saturday and after church Sunday. I just couldn’t figure out what was wrong with this picture. However, I don't give up that easy. Oh no! I wasn't going to let that wolf deceive me.

I knew I couldn't do it alone. So, I re-read the directions, went to the forums and sought out help on how to get the software set up for an unfixed bi-weekly check.  

My husband tried to encourage me to call it a day, but I had to be the conqueror, not the conquered. And I was...In the end I was victorious!!

Ok, it was more like a truce, the wolf and I had a few misunderstandings, are communications skills weren't up to par. I was overly dramatic. But, we were able to work out our differences and now that it is all set up, it is working like a real gentleman!

You can say that I sweeten up that software with my girlish charms, now its time to see what that Big Bad Budget Software can do for me!

2 comments:

  1. Madonna - I am LOVING your blog! I just started reading it (I didn't know you had done this). I can't wait to go back and read some older stuff. Ethan is so lucky to have a mom like you at home with him. I am so glad you made that choice!

    ReplyDelete
  2. You worded that SO much better than I ever could! I had that battle many months ago with a program like that...AceMoney Lite. I've won the battle, and it's pretty easy to use now. Hopefully it works out well for you, too! :)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for the comment. It makes me feel special. If you have a question for me, make sure to leave your email, if it is not located on your profile. I will definitely respond. Thanks for visiting.