var json_comments = new Array("<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1120093\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=48863\"><img        src=\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-48863-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=48863\">dohtem</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1120093\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-19T18:57:42-05:00\">March 19, 2007  6:57 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1120093);\">Moderate</a> |</span>	<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://consumerist.com/mt-static/plugins/Moderate/moderate.js\"></script>	<script type=\"text/javascript\">		successMsg = \"\";	</script><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1120093');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>Heads up, the link to the excel is broken.</p><p>Funny enough, I was just looking at a free app last nite that might do what I need.  It's called <a href=\"http://www.thezeal.com/software/index.php?Money_Manager_Ex:Screenshots\" rel=\"nofollow\">Money Manager Ex</a>.  I'll try your method and see how it goes.  </p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1120093, 'dohtem')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1120157\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=58164\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-58164-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=58164\">mike1731</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1120157\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-19T19:03:04-05:00\">March 19, 2007  7:03 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1120157);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1120157');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>Another option would be to utilize a PC program like Quicken or Microsoft Money to track things.  Quicken has a budget program that will automatically build you a budget based on past spend, or you can manually enter your balances.  The key to success with quicken is to not go crazy with accounts -- don't set up everything as a expense category, at not least at first.  Keep it basic, maybe 10 or 15 categories, and set time aside to play with the reports.</p><p>As a household of two accountants, it's taken us a while to get the hang of the reports, in large part because we were too clever by half setting things up.  But with a smaller scope and less detail, the automated banking links work wonderfully and you can manage your daily spend in 5 - 15 minutes / day entering all bills, payments, making payments to creditors via the bank, etc.  Pretty slick.  Only downside, I don't remember how to write checks now days without thinking about it.<br /></p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1120157, 'mike1731')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1120164\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=1161\"><img        src=\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1161-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=1161\">Ben Popken</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1120164\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-19T19:04:03-05:00\">March 19, 2007  7:04 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1120164);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1120164');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>@<a href=\"#c1120093\" rel=\"nofollow\">dohtem</a>: Fixed.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1120164, 'Ben Popken')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1120277\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=56667\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=56667\">Shutterman</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1120277\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-19T19:17:36-05:00\">March 19, 2007  7:17 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1120277);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1120277');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>Those Masonic Lodge fees are always important.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1120277, 'Shutterman')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1120315\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">                <a href=\"http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/?p=3119#more-3119\"><img src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"         width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>            </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a title=\"http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/?p=3119#more-3119\" href=\"http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/?p=3119#more-3119\" rel=\"nofollow\">12-inch Idongivafuck Sandwich</a>    </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1120315\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-19T19:23:49-05:00\">March 19, 2007  7:23 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1120315);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1120315');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>I use Yodlee to manage my finances.  Its online (I can access it from anywhere), and automatically updates all of my accounts for me (and sorts/graphs my expenses)...</p><p>Its a great program...</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1120315, '12-inch Idongivafuck Sandwich')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1120712\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=1178\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1178-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=1178\">Craig</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1120712\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-19T20:23:13-05:00\">March 19, 2007  8:23 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1120712);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1120712');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>You might also want to look at the free <a href=\"http://www.pearbudget.com\" rel=\"nofollow\">Pear Budget</a>, which is the same idea but with four years of refinement.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1120712, 'Craig')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1120823\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=34412\"><img        src=\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-34412-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=34412\">LatherRinseRepeat</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1120823\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-19T20:37:37-05:00\">March 19, 2007  8:37 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1120823);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1120823');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>The Microsoft Office site has a lot of free templates also. They have quite a few personal finance templates, for different versions of Office. I found a handy load ammortization template that is useful for playing with numbers and trying different what-if scenerios.</p><p><a href=\"http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT101527321033.aspx?av=ZXL\" rel=\"nofollow\"><a href=\"http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT101527321033...\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT101527321033...</a></a></p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1120823, 'LatherRinseRepeat')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1120881\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=39806\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-39806-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=39806\">Johnie</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1120881\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-19T20:47:41-05:00\">March 19, 2007  8:47 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1120881);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1120881');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>Seriously... why not spend a couple bucks on Quicken or MS Money?  Once you go Quicken, you never go back.</p><p>It downloads all the information from my banks and creates a budget for me.  You can create all types of reports too.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1120881, 'Johnie')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->							<div class=\"num-replies\">1 replies</div>	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->     <!-- Loop through the reply comments -->        <div class=\"reply-container\" >            <div class=\"comment last\" id=\"comment-8056859\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=514658\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=514658\">Adisharr</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-8056859\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2008-09-30T19:24:09-05:00\">September 30, 2008  7:24 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(8056859);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=8056859');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>@<a href=\"#c1120881\" rel=\"nofollow\">Johnie</a>:</p><p>I second MS Money or Quicken.  These Excels sheets are nowhere near as complete and usable unless you have very simple requirements.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(8056859, 'Adisharr')\">Reply</a></div>		 	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>                <!-- Display comment (reply comment, which may be a parent of more replies) -->            <div class=\"inner-reply-container\" >                 <!-- For each reply comment, recursively display any reply comments -->          	    </div>        	</div>    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1120984\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=6536\"><img        src=\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-6536-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=6536\">Rectilinear Propagation</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1120984\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-19T21:02:55-05:00\">March 19, 2007  9:02 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1120984);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1120984');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p><i>Or apply for one online through HSBC, or INGDirect.</i></p><p>HSBC=BAD Stay far, far away.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1120984, 'Rectilinear Propagation')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1121006\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=61787\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-61787-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=61787\">skittlbrau</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1121006\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-19T21:06:42-05:00\">March 19, 2007  9:06 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1121006);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1121006');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>@<a href=\"#c1120984\" rel=\"nofollow\">Rectilinear Propagation</a>: </p><p>I'm curious, as I've been a happy HSBC Direct customer for over a year... Why HSBC = BAD?  (Beyond the fact that all banks have some pretty poor service)</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1121006, 'skittlbrau')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1121478\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=1596\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=1596\">The_Truth</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1121478\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-19T22:44:53-05:00\">March 19, 2007 10:44 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1121478);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1121478');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>I think the argument of not using quicken is that if you are in need of serious money managment then you probably cant afford it.</p><p>For me I use an excel spreadsheet, much the same as this one, although even more simple layout, but a few more advanced formulas.</p><p>Everyday I check my BofA account and update onto my spreadsheet any transactions. At the end of the month I move all of my keep the change that was taken from my main checking into an ING account.(5% match plus 5%(ish) interest equals about $60 free moneys a year!) </p><p> My ING account recieves two deposits monthly as well as the savings cash, this is done automatically by ING.</p><p>My spreadsheet shows me, my costs for the month and my predicted end cashflow at the end of the month. I transfer what evers left over into ING as well.</p><p>Stopping overdrafts is easy, give yourself a $1000-$2000 buffer in your main checking account. This can be your base point to withdraw all that spare cash to at the end of the month.<br />As an added layer of protection, chuck an additional 1000 into a regular savings account (preferably with the same bank), so as to cover any serious screw ups.</p><p>Having said all that, I honestly believe unless you are actually willing to step up and take control all of the above is pretty useless :-)</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1121478, 'The_Truth')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1121591\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=48863\"><img        src=\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-48863-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=48863\">dohtem</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1121591\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-19T23:12:55-05:00\">March 19, 2007 11:12 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1121591);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1121591');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>@<a href=\"#c1120984\" rel=\"nofollow\">Rectilinear Propagation</a>: How do you make a comment like that and not give a single reason why?</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1121591, 'dohtem')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1121636\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=66998\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=66998\">capitalass</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1121636\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-19T23:25:55-05:00\">March 19, 2007 11:25 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1121636);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1121636');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>Are those numbers real?  Who can eat on $50 a month?  That's like $12 in groceries a week (assuming you are just referring to groceries--otherwise it's like 10 meals at consumerist's favorite fast food joint--still, that could be about 8 or 9 thousand calories a month).</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1121636, 'capitalass')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1121707\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=1161\"><img        src=\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1161-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=1161\">Ben Popken</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1121707\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-19T23:45:16-05:00\">March 19, 2007 11:45 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1121707);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1121707');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>@<a href=\"#c1121636\" rel=\"nofollow\">capitalass</a>: The numbers are for demonstration purposes only.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1121707, 'Ben Popken')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1122076\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=63025\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-63025-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=63025\">eatsshootsleaves</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1122076\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-20T01:21:41-05:00\">March 20, 2007  1:21 AM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1122076);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1122076');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>I'd say about ten percent of your money should go into a 401k as well. I know you said that this only really applies to people who have no idea how to make a budget, but investing in a 401k is really, really easy and if you start young you can be practically swimming in money by retirement. </p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1122076, 'eatsshootsleaves')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1122106\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=27519\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-27519-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=27519\">kenposan</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1122106\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-20T01:31:00-05:00\">March 20, 2007  1:31 AM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1122106);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1122106');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>I used an excel spreadsheet years ago to set up a budget. Wasn't as fancy as Ben's. But then I got MS Money really cheap when the local KMart closed. :-)</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1122106, 'kenposan')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1122275\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=62482\"><img        src=\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-62482-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=62482\">loquaciousmusic</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1122275\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-20T02:07:44-05:00\">March 20, 2007  2:07 AM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1122275);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1122275');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>I love ING.  I've had their Orange Savings Account for a year and a half now and couldn't be happier.  And my rate keeps going up!  Imagine that!</p><p>I actually had a very pleasant conversation with a guy at their customer service centre in Minnesota when I set the account up.  I kept asking, \"Are you sure there's no minimum?  And no fee?  Are you <i>totally</i> sure?!\"  Yes, he was.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1122275, 'loquaciousmusic')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1122591\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=62993\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-62993-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=62993\">boston515</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1122591\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-20T03:00:10-05:00\">March 20, 2007  3:00 AM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1122591);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1122591');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>The_Truth said, \"Stopping overdrafts is easy, give yourself a $1000-$2000 buffer in your main checking account.\"</p><p>Most people who are starting to budget don't have that much money available.  I, personally, don't keep more than $500 in my accounts in the event that I might be robbed.  (I'd be dead anyways since I don't even know the pin to one of my debit cards!)</p><p>I HIGHLY recommend the habit of automatically putting away 10% of one's income.  10% might seem like a lot a first but it's easy to adapt.  If 10% is too tough, try 5% and work your way up 10% percent as finances get in order.  I try to put away 20% into my ING savings account each paycheck, when I can afford it.</p><p>I'm really excited about finally finding an FDIC-insured Roth IRA at Wells Fargo, as they are fairly difficult to locate.  Anyone know if Wells Fargo is reliable for investments?  </p><p>HEY The_Truth, would you be up for sending a blank of your Excel my way {scadian_d204[at]yahoo[dot]com}?  My boyfriend uses BoA and wants to use the same plan that you've described for saving.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1122591, 'boston515')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1123383\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=15848\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=15848\">FLConsumer</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1123383\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-20T07:37:18-05:00\">March 20, 2007  7:37 AM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1123383);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1123383');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>Quicken's probably a good start for most people.  If you \"can't afford\" the $30 for the most basic version of Quicken -- you absolutely need to buy it, even if you're charging it onto your already Mt. Everest-size pile of credit card debt, YOU need a budget!</p><p>Having everything categorized (Dining/Entertainment/Groceries/Utilities) and being able to see where your money's going is essential to starting a budget.  Without knowing what you're currently spending, coming up with realistic budgets (and keeping track of your progress) is more like shooting in the dark.  </p><p>If you're uber-lazy, sync it up with your bank's/credit card's online banking service so you don't even have to enter the transactions ('though I'd highly recommend manually inputting everything each night or every couple of nights and using the  downloads as your way of reconciling your checkbook).  Manually entering data also ensures that your credit card charges are valid.</p><p>@<a href=\"#c1122591\" rel=\"nofollow\">boston515</a>: If someone doesn't have at least $2k spare in the bank, then there's their first financial goal -- a rainy day fund.  Even more reason why they need to develop a budget and stick to it.   The 10% idea is an excellent one.  Millions of people do 10% for their churches and don't miss it.  I believe people should be saving 15-30% of what they earn, not only for retirement purposes, but also in case something bad (hurricane, long-term medical problems,etc) creep up. </p><p>As a side note, for everyone with money in non-local banks consider scheduling in advance a transfer to an account at a local bank/ATM-accessible account to happen about 3-5 days after a natural disaster is supposed to hit (I'm thinking hurricanes, from past experience.)  That way if you lose phone/internet, you'll still have access to emergency cash.  Most of the larger banks had either mobile ATMs sitting outside of what was left of their buildings or had their entire building running off generator & satellite links.  Forget using CC's/check/debt cards after a hurricane, phone lines will invariably be down/busy.  Cash rules in/after a disaster.  </p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1123383, 'FLConsumer')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1123959\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">                <a href=\"\"><img src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"         width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>            </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\">fugly    </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1123959\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-20T13:44:07-05:00\">March 20, 2007  1:44 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1123959);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1123959');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>if you can't afford MS money or quicken, and are using Linux or MAC OSX, then Gnu Cash is a free alternative<br /><a href=\"http://www.gnucash.org/\" rel=\"nofollow\"><a href=\"http://www.gnucash.org/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.gnucash.org/</a></a><br /></p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1123959, 'fugly')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1124000\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=6536\"><img        src=\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-6536-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=6536\">Rectilinear Propagation</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1124000\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-20T13:52:35-05:00\">March 20, 2007  1:52 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1124000);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1124000');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>@<a href=\"#c1121006\" rel=\"nofollow\">baa</a>: Their customer service has been really bad. Wachovia may not be stellar but they've never kept me from my money for weeks at a time.</p><p>I believe you when you say that you haven't had trouble with them and I'm glad you didn't but I've only had this much trouble with insurance companies up until now.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1124000, 'Rectilinear Propagation')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1125053\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=2041\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-2041-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=2041\">Morton Fox</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1125053\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-20T16:22:25-05:00\">March 20, 2007  4:22 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1125053);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1125053');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>Quicken Basic is $30 and you only have to upgrade once every 3 years to maintain online services.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1125053, 'Morton Fox')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1126600\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=46719\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-46719-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=46719\">brilliantmistake</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1126600\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-20T19:35:11-05:00\">March 20, 2007  7:35 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1126600);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1126600');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>I've used an excel system very similar to Ben's, and it's been really useful. I have some other suggestions that helped me<br />1) Use an online bill pay system. This really saved my wildy disorganized bacon. Everything in one place, online, you can use it when you travel, and they keep records. I use paytrust.com, but there are others.<br />2) In addition to a worksheet like the one Ben shows, I have one that I use every so often to track all my monthly expenses in a very itemized way. Especially in my early reorganizing days, it let me see where the money was going. Who knew that 30% of my food budget was evenly divided between coffee, sushi, and beer? Not me, until I started logging it. I don't do it every month anymore, but use it every once in a while.<br />3) I have a third sheet with all my credit cards, the balances, limits, interest, % of payment that goes to interest vs. principle. My balances are up from high vet bills coinciding with an income decline, so I'm in the middle of paying them off. This helps me target the payments.<br />As Ben said, this a basic, first step. I like the simplicity of an excel sheet, and I can set it up in a way that makes sense to me. </p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1126600, 'brilliantmistake')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1126903\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=11194\"><img        src=\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-11194-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=11194\">karmaghost</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1126903\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-20T20:13:00-05:00\">March 20, 2007  8:13 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1126903);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1126903');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>Gah!  Use cleartype in those screens!</p><p>I'm using Pear Budget, too.  Well, \"using\" as in \"it's on my hard drive... somewhere...\"</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1126903, 'karmaghost')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1128757\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=62993\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-62993-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=62993\">boston515</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1128757\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-21T00:49:26-05:00\">March 21, 2007 12:49 AM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1128757);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1128757');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>To quote myself, \"I, personally, don't keep more than $500 in my accounts in the event that I might be robbed.\" I actually don't keep more than $500 in my checking accounts, as they are set up so that ATM access to the savings account is restricted.  A lot of people can't afford 30% put way each month.  Seeing as I make $300 a month, that would mean I'm putting away $90.  That's a lot when I have bills to pay.  It's easy not to leave off of much, but $210 would be too difficult.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1128757, 'boston515')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1134476\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=73491\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=73491\">infinitemonkey</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1134476\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-21T22:11:24-05:00\">March 21, 2007 10:11 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1134476);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1134476');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>I can't recommend Buddi enough: <a href=\"http://buddi.sourceforge.net/en/.\" rel=\"nofollow\"><a href=\"http://buddi.sourceforge.net/en/.\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://buddi.sourceforge.net/en/.</a></a></p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1134476, 'infinitemonkey')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1147447\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=27932\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-27932-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=27932\">videocrime</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1147447\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-23T17:38:35-05:00\">March 23, 2007  5:38 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1147447);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1147447');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>buddi has worked like a charm for me. kudos on this article, though.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1147447, 'videocrime')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1150164\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=75232\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=75232\">SuperTodd</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1150164\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-24T00:18:53-05:00\">March 24, 2007 12:18 AM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1150164);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1150164');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>Excellent spreadsheet for what it is, I have a similar one I use, since my bank does not link up to Quicken.  </p><p>Don't forget that if you're too cheap to buy Quicken, you're probably too cheap to buy M$ Office.  OpenOffice is an excellent open source alternative to  Office.  I was able to download this file and open it no problems<br />www.openoffice.org</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1150164, 'SuperTodd')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-1156063\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=71528\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-71528-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=71528\">falcon241073</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-1156063\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-03-26T01:25:36-05:00\">March 26, 2007  1:25 AM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(1156063);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=1156063');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>I use Money '07 and love it. I have used Money since 1998 and will keep on. (kind of locked into it now, LOL). </p><p>Thinking of trying this online bank out for a checking and savings account: <a href=\"http://www.afibankingcenter.com/afi/index.asp\" rel=\"nofollow\"><a href=\"http://www.afibankingcenter.com/afi/index.asp\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.afibankingcenter.com/afi/index.asp</a></a></p><p>I will still keep my local bank too, for emergencies. </p><p>I also recommend Dave Ramsey. He is a financial GURU!!!  here is his site: <a href=\"http://www.daveramsey.com/\" rel=\"nofollow\"><a href=\"http://www.daveramsey.com/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.daveramsey.com/</a></a></p><p>He has a Talk show on radio too, you can download a 1 hour podcast on his site. He is awsome and speaks the truth. As he likes to say \"Giving the same money advice as your grandmother, only keeping his teeth in while he does it.\"</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(1156063, 'falcon241073')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-2569062\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=181321\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=181321\">smastous</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-2569062\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-10-05T01:58:45-05:00\">October  5, 2007  1:58 AM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(2569062);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=2569062');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p><p>You don't need to swear to get your point across! For instance I am a market that is religious. I don't relate to swear words or innuendo. Seriously, please consider cleaning the language because it is like a hurdle to the coolness of your site.</p><br /><p>Thank you for the tools.</p></p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(2569062, 'smastous')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-8248003\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=570728\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=570728\">YadonWaffles</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-8248003\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2008-10-10T03:54:16-05:00\">October 10, 2008  3:54 AM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(8248003);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=8248003');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>gnucash is now available for windows: And it is still free.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(8248003, 'YadonWaffles')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-12896396\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=1025217\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=1025217\">Hemlock26</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-12896396\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2009-05-18T11:59:02-05:00\">May 18, 2009 11:59 AM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(12896396);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=12896396');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p><p>I'd like to submit my non-techie tip. Although I also use an excel spreadsheet (Girlfriend helped me set it up, she's a wiz!), I don't always have my computer on. I know, I know, that's blasphemy!</p><br /><p>I do keep a wall calendar by my desk, though. As I get email updates or bills in the mail, I mark which bill on what date down on the calendar. That way I will always see when something is due. And the visual that my insurance, student loan, and cell phone are all due on the same day helps me refrain from going on that shopping spree.</p></p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(12896396, 'Hemlock26')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-14475994\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=1169573\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1169573-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=1169573\">dee1313</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-14475994\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2009-07-28T19:59:29-05:00\">July 28, 2009  7:59 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(14475994);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=14475994');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>I just made my own Excel spread sheet, and it works wonderfully, and is pretty.</p><p>I'd attach it if I knew how.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(14475994, 'dee1313')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment last\" id=\"comment-20532854\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=1349162\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1349162-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=1349162\">digisplicer</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/03/consumerists-9-step-beginners-budget.html#comment-20532854\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-11-30T16:40:32-05:00\">November 30, 2010  4:40 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20532854);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20532854');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>Really? No mention of Mint.com?  It's an amazing and FREE budgeting tool.  Yeah, you have to give some personal info to them but I also have credit monitoring so I like to think I'd have a heads up if I became a victim of identity theft. I highly suggest checking it out.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20532854, 'digisplicer')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>");