Well, it turns out I need approximately $3,950 according to the "calculator" I got from a "Grown Azzed Woman"s web site. It's at http://gaw3000.blogspot.com/2007/04/emergency-fund-five-year-plan.html

My number seems to be pretty low but it's probably because I don't have a car note or any credit card debt. What's your number?


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First of all, DO NOT use Microsoft Money or Quicken. These two programs, which happen to be the most sold in America (notice I didn't say popular) are a train wreck waiting to happen. If you want to read all the negatives simply look at Amazon's page for the products and read the stinging reviews.


So what do you do then? Well I have created my own budgeting, checkbook and investment tracking software in Excel. I think spreadsheets are excellent for this purpose. They are definitely easier to use (and cheaper!) than mass-market software alternatives. But my sheets are tailor-made for what I do and how I make my money. That leaves you, the unlikely Excel expert to fend for yourself right? Well, not exactly.


I found a really good Excel based program online a few years ago and they have continued to refine the product. I recently checked back in with the company and was excited to see they added many more great features and tweaks to their program. Unlike, the Microsoft and Quicken programs theirs is cheap, $19.95 and easy to use and set up. In fact you just order it online and then download it. You can have your budget, debt reduction and investment plans going in mere minutes. I highly recommend them. It's called, "You Need A Budget."


The program can be found at www.youneedabudget.com. Oh and they have a 60-day money back guarantee. See if the big boys in Silicon Valley will give you that with their latest $49.95 offering?!