Money 2000 review

There are endless permutations on the basic reports provided, and a new section helps keep a track of your spending habits, along with 'what I have' and 'what I owe' type scenarios. The reports are based on real-world situations, such as 'where does the money go?' and 'who is getting my money?' - this doesn't always make for a pleasant read.

Getting to grips with all of this functionality is obviously going to take some time, and Microsoft does provide a thin volume on 'strategies for success with Money 2000' as a getting started guide. There's also a new set-up assistant, a page-by-page Wizard designed to get you through the process of entering the basic information and creating the first bank account.

Even so, this is a big piece of software for a small price, so don't let the bottom line fool you - in order to get a lot out of Money 2000 you'll have to put a lot in. For existing Money 99 users, aside from a bit more of a UK localised focus, you won't find an awful lot that's totally new since that release. Money 2000 is really a tidying-up exercise, but one that confirms the software's overall position as the one to beat.

Author: Tim Woodward