Wow, loads of great tips. Owbist, I always forget about CCleaner having that tool. I do use WinPatrol and found it odd that it didn't pop up to warn me when I installed Quicken. I took a look there and it was not listed in their Start-up menu. I looked around and found it listed under 'tasks'. I clicked, 'end task' and that worked. Then, I went to CC and found it listed in Start-up but it was greyed out so Win Patrol took care of that. Strangely, it was not listed in my Start-up folder. I knew I could use msconfig but prefer not to use that unless I have to. I have a lot of space and memory on this computer, yet Quicken really slowed down my start-up. I'm glad to finally be rid of it. Thanks so much for the great tips. I hope it will help others who find things running without their permission. You folks are the best. This forum is the best on Garden Web. If any of you have problems growing Orchids, just let me know...I'll personally take care of them for you :-)) Jane

I use the very old Microsoft Money 2000. I don't recall the details of options offered during setup, but it likely was simply an investment (retirement) account held at a bank. An accompanying "contribution" account was automatically set up, which isn't needed for a CD so I basically ignore it. Updates, interest additions are figured at a share value of $1. It could be set up as an asset / bank account, but that would throw a kink on tax-deferred status for tax calculations, unless it could be tagged as tax-deferred/exempt. But your Quicken 2009 is probably considerably different and more complex.

In talking to a young couple regarding how to develop a good money management system, I suggested that a good way to start is to keep track of every expenditure, to assist in evaluation. I suggested that they set up a page, probably in a loose-leaf binder, to deal with their cash operation, with date, description, and three (possibly 4) columns, with one for individual expenses, (possibly a second to add several expenditures). One column for cash income as withdrawn from bank account, or other source, etc., and a column at the right for keeping track of balance. It's important to check amount in wallet against recorded balance on hand frequently at the start, as often there appears to be more cash reported in record book than wallet ... as one (or more) expenditures had not been entered. I was informed that they didn't do much cash business, but dealt extensively with debit card. I was going to suggest later that they set up several columns to the right, to break out the expenditures into the various types, with a column for each. How to deal with the debit card transactions? I thought that it might be wise to enter each transaction, either as it happens (which I thought preferable), or as they get their monthly report from the bank relating to date and description, but not into the cash columns, as it was directly paid from the bank. To record each transaction only in the columns related to category. But - many pay bills also by cheque and by credit card. The reason for the cash columns is to ensure that every transaction is accounted for, but this is not an issue with the debit card transactions, for they show up totally in the bank report. Then when the bank report comes in, ensure that each transaction that you made is entered, and checked with the bank report, entering any that hadn't been earlier. That way, each of those two types of expenditure shows on the detailed page. I suggested that they keep a report of their bank account transactions on the back of last month's record, on the page to the left. The cheque register would show the various expenditures during the month on the full financial report of expenditures and would be entered either as they were written, or, I thought preferably, after the cash transactions for the month (possibly including the debit card activities, as well), had been finished. Then, one gets a report from one's credit card transactions and each transaction would be entered in the various relevant categories. As many report that Quicken is easy to use, and quite comprehensive, I'm quite sure that it'll have an easy way to deal with the debit card transactions. ole joyful

My wallet squeaks in protest, like an injured mouse, whenever I pull it out. Since I'm a kind-hearted soul, not wanting to cause animal injury, I try to avoid that as often as possible. Seems to me that you folks who avoid going to the mall (or out of your store, if there) are fighting a losing battle. Your money is yours, it doesn't belong to the stores, in exchange for stuff that you never heard of before last week - and can't get along without (according to TV) - not tomorrow ... ... **today**! As a personal financial advisor, I tell kids that everyone over the size of a toddler has his/her own business. With employees. Most employees whose employer doesn't pay them don't stay at that place very long - but the beauty of your situation is that you don't have to pay your employees ... ... they pay you! As long as you let them stay with you. I tell a kid that when he/she sends a dollar out to buy some ice cream, the ice cream tastes great - but that dollar worked for them only once. If they hang on to it, it'll work for them as long as they hang on to it. With one exception - if they put it into/under the mattress ... ... it goes to sleep. If they put it into most banks ... ... when one considers the rate of interest that they pay ... ... and the amount of that which must be shared with the income tax partner in your business ... ... and the amount that must be put with the basic asset to offset the erosion of value of each dollar annually due to inflation ... ... it's just about the same. Quite often - there ain't none left for you!! If you were a regular business owner, would you lend your employees to a personnel agency, if they were making money on those employees' work, but after your expenses from the amount that they paid you, you were making (almost) nothing ... ... how long would you carry on that game?? As with regular employers - your job as the manager of your dollar-employees is to have them work efficiently and well. I you don't boss your money - it'll boss you. With the help of TV, that's always trying to get you to buy stuff. Good wishes to you and yours for a successful New Year managing those employees! ole joyful