Universal Ramblings

In the ongoing sea change underway at Microsoft, the company has announced that Microsoft Money Plus and Microsoft Money Essentials (formerly known as just Microsoft Money) will be going off the market forever in just two weeks: After June 30, 2009, the software will no longer be offered for sale.

This shouldn’t come as a great surprise: Microsoft stopped updating its financial management software in 2008 and hasn’t released a new version in nearly two years.

If you’re already a Money/Money Plus user, bear in mind that Microsoft’s move will affect you, possibly with considerable trouble: Already-installed Money applications will continue to work, but after January 31, 2011, you will no longer be able to activate Microsoft Money Plus on your computer. That means if your computer crashes after that date, you won’t be able to reinstall the software (and will likely lose whatever data you’re storing in the Money Plus app). Older versions of the Money app (those without the “Plus” and dated 2007 or earlier) should still be able to be installed since they don’t include product activation. If you’re using Money 2007 (or earlier), you’re advised not to upgrade.

All online services included in the MS Money app will end on by January 31, 2011, as well, though the actual date depends on when your software was activated. Tax updates and integrated bill payment services will obviously be discontinued, too, by that date.

ENTER Quicken

Intuit said it is offering the discounts on Quicken products through the end of July to all users, not just the Money users left in the lurch.

Specifically, Intuit said that it is offering $20 off on Quicken Deluxe (now $39.99) and $30 off Quicken Premier (now $59.99). It is also chopping $30 off its Home & Business product and $50 off its Rental Property Manager product. The company is also touting its free Quicken Online product.

Although Quicken is already the market leader in the personal finance space, Intuit clearly sees a chance to move in for the kill now that Microsoft is exiting the space.

Intuit also reiterated that it is working with Microsoft to try to improve Quicken’s ability to import large amounts of data stored in MS Money.

Here is a good article on how to import a Microsoft Money file into Quicken.