A Bit of Housekeeping
When I updated my goals in September, I had said I altered my savings strategies a little and mentioned that, some time in the future, I’d like to save up for a new laptop.
What with all the sour news lately, though, I had sort of put that off on the back burner. Then my dad, hearing about the newest Macbooks, mentioned that maybe the company could buy me one, like they did with my cell phone. I said maybe I could pay for half.
This is where I should insert another caveat about my dad’s being the nicest, most giving person and just admit here and now that I must be spoiled rotten. Last weekend, while we celebrated a birthday and an anniversary in the family, neither mine, Dad surprised me with a brand-new, silver, shiny Macbook. It’s wonderful, and he’s the nicest person ever.
So scratch that off my goals.
The biggest change this is causing for me right now, financially, is that my budgeting system needs to be completely different. I had been using budget by snowmint, but the version I had only works with PCs. Buying the Mac version is another $30 or $40, and then I risk losing it all over again if I want to switch computers. Since I’ve been using Mint.com for a while, I’ve decided to start using it for my budgeting as well. We’ll see how this goes.
November 1st, 2008 at 8:00 am
Congrats on the computer! If you get another version of the same software, you may be able to transfer it. Call or email the company and see if it is possible.
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:42 am
That’s so sweet of your dad!
I use Mint for everything, but I’ve heard good things about Cashbox (http://www.fadingred.org/cashbox/), which is a free, offline app. You should be able to export/import data between that and your existing budgeting program as well.
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Great idea, Laura! I’m going to wing it a little to see if I can do just Mint (it saves extra steps of recording purchases) for a week or two. If I still miss Budget, I’m going to try contacting them.
I know, MFA. Isn’t he so great? I’ll look into Cashbox, too. Thanks!
November 4th, 2008 at 12:29 am
I’ve got Macbook envy.
November 4th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Nice dad, they seem to always be there and help out when needed most. You will love the Macbook, although if you enjoy video editing, the new imovie is not as good as imovie 06. Either way you will find it very easy to use. Good luck with the budgeting, if you have some time, another budgeting tool you may want to check out is http://www.budgetpulse.com. No downloads or security risks and FREE!
Craig
http://www.budgetpulse.com
November 4th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
BGS: Well, what with your new job and mad blogging skills, maybe it’s time you got yourself a new one!!
Craig: No worries, no video-editing here. Thanks for the tip about your budgeting software. I’ll check it out, too!