Keep Track of Your Home Business Income with Microsoft Office Accounting Express

January 24, 2008

Last week I mentioned how to earn extra money in 2008. Now, you might want to know how to keep track of the extra money you earn.

After two kids and a divorce, I went back to college to get an English degree. I got the diploma, but I also acquired a LOT of debt. Now, I am trying to dig myself out of a financial hole, one teaspoon at a time. Just when I think I am making a dint, something comes up. So, I also want to earn a little extra money, and I want to work from home, so I can be home with the kids.

But, unlike substitute teaching, I will not get a paycheck to keep track of my earnings. I bought a Microsoft Money program, but I guess I am not as smart as I thought, or it needs a makeover. In working with the program, I found that if I enter an invoice amount and then a customer pays, it will automatically dump the amount in my check register. Not good! Probably the majority of people on the Internet use PayPal. So, if I then deposit the money from PayPal, it will record the amount twice!

If I am going to get serious about making money for myself, I need something that will keep track of my earnings and give me something to send to potential clients. So, I went online, being the thrifty person I am, and downloaded free accounting software. UGH!

I tried several, either they were too simple, or they have what I need, but will not put the information where it needs to go. For instance, if a client pays, it should show up in the clients account and on invoices, or the overall total of my earnings, right? Not! I would have to go in and enter one transaction in several places. What a pain!

Finally, last night, or should I say early this morning I found a good program that works for small home-business needs, without messing up my personal checking account, or entering one transaction several times. Microsoft Office Accounting 2008– the Express version is FREE!!! Eureka! has a 6 month free trial.

So, if you are also seriously considering earning extra money at home this year, you will definitely need some way to keep track of your money. Maybe you will only earn a few bucks a month, or may you will be like those entrepreneurs that get to stay home and get rich. Who knows? Either way, you might find this program helpful.

Tina

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Tina

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