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Microsoft discontinued sales of the software on June 30, 2009 and removed access to online services for existing Money installations in January 2011.  If you agree with me that Microsoft Money is still the BEST personal (and small business) financial management PC software ever, then you’ve come to the right place for improving Money’s OFFLINE capabilities.

  • Even though Microsoft has elected to divorce the program from the MSN Money servers as of January 31st, 2011 (which did much more than just grab statement downloads, including independent stock and fund quotes for ALL of your investments, passing through third-party web-scrapes of your data, supporting Online banking, investment news, tax and exchange rates, LiveID password authentication, etc.), they have made available a **FREE**  legal copy (the SUNSET edition) of the latest updated  OFFLINE  version of Microsoft Money Plus Deluxe that you can download, even if you’ve never used Money before!  It has been preconfigured with no need to activate the product.  On its own, Money will only update via OFX statement files that you download through the websites of your financial institutions.
  • Now by installing the latest version of the Active State Python 2.7 (not 3) and Robert’s PocketSense script package that runs on this Python package, you will be able to essentially mimic many of the online functions that Microsoft is no longer providing, although in 2022, Intuit’s Quicken monopoly has convinced several banks/brokerages/credit card companies to no longer provide free data via their OFX servers thumbs-down_1f44e.
  • Another new program, written by a former Microsoft Money programmer, that will update all of your investment quotes in a very similar fashion to Money’s original online updater through MSN, is available for a nominal one-time fee.  It is called MSMoneyQuotes and you’ll find links to it in this blog post.
  • For those that only need to update quotes (no Account Statement updates) and don’t wish to install Python scripting, Hung Le had written a Java app a year ago that has been recently updated and the link in the original Blog page has been updated with this new version.
  • I have developed Ameridan’s addon package to PocketSense that allows you to run these scripts (and review your Online investment data) from within your Money program.
All of the known working PocketSense sites.dat settings that I am aware of are listed (and continuously kept updated) in this
>>>>> PocketSense Sites.dat Blog page <<<<<
♦♦♦♦
Also, make sure you check out the
Look Up Your OFX Settings
portal page, with links to all of the other sources of OFX settings
that I am currently aware of

NOTES: 

1. If any Money Plus, 2007, or 2006 users use a Live ID (email address plus password), they should remove that with File-> Password Manager. This can only be done if they can get into the Money file. They should then use a local “Money password” only (if they want a password at all). Money 2005 users don’t have this ability, and must continue to log in offline.

2. Do not attempt to reset your Live ID ,as the program may suggest. Any attempt to do so will be ineffective. Only the credentials in effect at the time that you last successfully got in to your Money file will work.

3. You should use Windows Firewall to cut Money off from the internet, so that it doesn’t work so hard trying to access servers that no longer exist. This is a speed and convenience issue.  See my article “Eliminating the “online updating”delays and errors when opening Money” for details.

4. Anyone switching over from older versions of Quicken should know that Microsoft’s converter wizard may significantly simplify the process.  File > Convert Quicken File
msmoney65. Customize your Money’s Home Page such that the only two modules are Reminders and Favorite Accounts.  Other modules like Bills & Deposits and Investment Performance can consume some time and prevent you from working with your file right away (and have even been known to occasionally cause the program to exit).

6. There is a small bug in the Home & Business version, whereby the income category assigned to your products/services may become disassociated.  It is discussed further in my article.

(a good portion of the following, is courtesy of Cal Learner, our Money MVP)

Download links

Additional details and patches are available at http://moneymvps.org/

Self-contained installation files for use (including if the original disk requires activation).   No direct online access works with the Sunset versions, which have been revised to be OFFLINE (access to MSN servers has been deactivated).

Notes for North America:

1. US and Canadian Money 2005 and Essentials users — as well as other US and usually Canadian users — can use Money Plus Deluxe Sunset if they have to reinstall at some point.
2. Some US users of older versions of Money (Money 98 through Money 2003)  may have to use an additional step, by first installing a version of US Money 2004 (see “Trial edition of Money 2004” link below) or 2005 to perform a file conversion before installing Money Plus Sunset.

US Money Plus Deluxe Sunset (works with US and Canadian Files only)

>> download here (only click on the download button showing the file’s size)

US Money Plus Home and Business Sunset (works with US and Canadian Files only; link fixed 1/15/2023)

>> download here (only click on the download button showing the file’s size)

Money 2005 UK – QFE2
Self-contained UK Money 2005 file including all available patches. Replaces all MS Money UK 2005 installation discs. Usually solves “Money cannot locate the file because it’s a read only file or you do not have permission to change it” error message.

>> download from: http://moneymvps.org/downloads/files/2005/Money2005-UK-QFE2.exe by clicking on said url in your browser, and then the Enter key.

Money 2005 International English QFE2
Self-contained Money 2005 International English installation file from Microsoft, including all updates (For Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and all other English versions other than for US, Canada, UK).

>> download from: http://moneymvps.org/downloads/files/2005/Money2005-IntlEngl-QFE2.exe by clicking on said url in your browser, and then the Enter key.

Money 2005 French – QFE3
Self-contained French Money 2005 file including all available patches. Replaces all MS Money French 2005 installation disks.

>> download from: http://moneymvps.org/downloads/files/2005/Money2005-FR-QFE3.exe by clicking on said url in your browser, and then the Enter key.

More…

It is suggested that all Money users keep a good copy of the installation file, even if the need is not immediate. It will be needed if you reinstall Money in the future. Those links can change, so do a search if you don’t find the file you need. Since we don’t know how long these files will be available, it is best to keep a copy of your appropriate installation file in a safe place.

Patch needed for newer versions of Money running on Windows 10 & 11

Because of a bug in the file mnyob99.dll, there are issues with Windows 10 & 11.  It is recommended that a patched version of this file be used to resolve these issues and insure compatibility.  Read more (and find links to the patch) here.

Regional versions

Money data files are in a different format for each region. The correct regional version of Money must be used or the data file will not open.

It is possible to convert from one region to another only by exporting data as loose qif and importing to the new regional version of Money.

Old Money versions will run only under 32-bit Windows

Old versions (Money 2000 and earlier) include 16-bit code so they can only run under 32-bit Windows (XP, Vista, 7 and 8).

To be able to use data files from these older versions on a 64-bit PC with Sunset Money:

  • Download m12usweb.exe (Trial edition of Money 2004) to the new computer.
    (MD5 is 1c62413858e2184eb39862f1b2afba44)
  • Put the latest *.mny and *.mbf files into the Documents folder of the new computer
  • Temporarily uninstall Sunset if you had already installed on new computer
  • Disconnect from the Internet (may not be needed, but recommended)
  • Set the computer date to 2004/1/1 (or there about)
  • Install trial Money 2004 by running  m12usweb.exe
  • Let that convert your *.mny file. Check that it seems to work. Save the converted file. Maybe change the name so that you can distinguish the converted file. Close Money 2004
  • Set the date right. Install/reinstall Money Plus Sunset. Let it uninstall Money 2004.
  •        Install the patch mentioned in red ⇑  above.
  • Let Sunset convert the Money 2004 *.mbf file to Sunset
  • Make extra copies of Sunset install, patch and data files onto other media

64-bit Windows

The U.S. Sunset versions of Money, downloadable above, run great in Win32 mode of Windows 8, 10 & 11.  They are not 64-bit programs though, so hopefully,  Win32 remains supported within Windows for many years yet.

Specific to Windows 10 & 11, due to a sloppy coding entry in Money’s installation routine, an inconsequential “glitch” of Sunset versions has been noted. After installation, if you go into Windows settings, in the Apps > Installed apps window in Windows 11, the value for the installed size of Microsoft Money Plus is listed incorrectly as GB instead of MB, (something huge, 101 GB or similar).  This causes no issues by itself, but to correct the listed value to its actual size, you can change a single registry value (thanks Russell Sullivan):

    1. Open the Registry Editor (searching for Registry Editor in the search box after selecting the Windows Start menu button, and opening the program.)
    2. Navigate to the following, depending upon your version of Windows (64-bit or 32-bit): 64-bit Windows versions: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Money2008b or 32-bit Windows versions: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Money2008b
    3. In the right side of the registry editor window, find and select the “EstimatedSize” key REG_DWORD value.
    4. Right-click, select Modify… from the context menu, then an “Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value” window will open.
    5. Click on the radio button to change the base value from Hexadecimal to Decimal.
    6.  In the Value Data box, look at the number displayed (105603072 or similar for a decimal value). Divide that number by 1024, then replace the number in the value data box with that new smaller number, which might be 103128 (or similar).
    7. Click on OK, then close the Registry Editor.
Now, when you re-enter the Apps > Installed apps window in Windows settings, the value for the installed size of Microsoft Money Plus should now display 101 MB or similar.
 

Internet Explorer

According to DominicP, Money Sunset and QFE2 versions do not actually need IE to be installed, as they actually incorporate their own, limited-capability IE browser which serves as the GUI.  However, residual code still exists in the install executable which checks the registry for the presence of IE and its build number so therefore, I am concerned that if Microsoft ever removes the legacy Trident (also known as MSHTML) proprietary browser engine (mshtml.dll) and associated IE registry entries, installation / reinstallation of Money may cease to function, which is the primary reason why I have turned off Windows 10/11 automatic (and manual) updates, although I do intend to periodically catch-up with stable versions that remain Money-friendly.

Multiple Monitors

Money does not play well with multiple monitors, especially if one is disconnected at a later time, as might be the case with a laptop attached to other display(s) at work.  If you find Money not behaving properly (ie not appearing after engaging program, customize reports dialogue box disappearing, etc.), open sample.mny while the multiple monitors are hooked up, and insure that Money is closed in full-screen mode – and only on the primary (default) monitor.

Another alternative method that should also work:

Windows logo key img_59b0b16974940 + Tab Task View, allowing you to select hidden program and make it active.
Windows logo key img_59b0b16974940 + Shift + Left arrow or Right arrow Moves the active app on the desktop from one monitor to another.

Kevin N offered this alternative to James D, who claimed that Money “froze” when trying to customize reports (James later confirmed that this did indeed resolve his issue):

  • Call up the ‘Customize Report’ window.  MS Money will appear to have frozen.
  • Use key-combo ALT-SPACEBAR.  A small context menu may or may not appear at the edge of the monitor. 
  • Tap the letter ‘m’ on your keyboard so as to invoke the “Move’ command. 
  • Hold down the appropriate ARROW key, likely the LEFT ARROW key so as to hopefully move the orphaned window back on-screen.
 

Hi-Def Monitors

Money also may not display text/data properly on Hi-Def monitors, until the “High DPI scaling behavior” is altered (thank you TWG for sharing):

  1. Open Start menu, right click on the Money Plus icon ➜ more ➜  left click “file location“.
  2. In the newly opened “ProgramData > Microsoft > Windows > Programs > Microsoft Money Plus” folder right click the Money shortcut ➜ then left click “Properties“.
  3. Left click on the “Compatibility” tab.
  4. Three quarters down the page is a “Change high DPI settings” button. Left click it.
  5. Near the bottom of the page is the “High DPI scaling override” section. Select the “High DPI scaling behavior” check box.
  6. Select “System Enhanced” from the option menu below the check box.
  7. Click on OK twice as you back out of the menus.
  8. Open Money, to see if the changes improve Money’s display, if not, unwind the changes.

thumbs-up-sign_emoji-modifier-fitzpatrick-type-1-2_1f44d-1f3fb_1f3fbTo enlarge a good portion of the displayed text on Money’s GUI screens, Sean Dayton offers this advice:

“What I have done to make MS Money more visible to read on a 27 inch 1080P monitor is to modify the the Surf.Mar file, which can be found in:

%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Money Plus\MNYCoreFiles
→→for 64-bit Windows ✅, OR
%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Money Plus\MNYCoreFiles
→→for 32-bit Windows)”

Since the MNYCoreFiles folder has Read-only attributes, drag the file(s) you’re going to edit onto your desktop, make your changes with a text editor like notepad++, Save, and then Copy/Paste back to the folder (along with any newly created .bak file; need admin privileges) once you are finished.  

Search for, and change the following (these 2 changes play nicely;  there are other small fonts that, if enlarged, might not fit within their designated space ):

Search for: font13 ,
font-family:Tahoma;
font-weight:normal;
font-size:7pt

     Suggested change ==> font-size:9pt

----------------
Search for: fontnormal ,
font-family: Tahoma;font-size:8pt

     Suggested change ==> font-size:9pt

 

Money version downloads

Up until 2/1/2021, Microsoft made available (for free), the latest Sunset versions of Microsoft Money, but without support.  Once those links were no longer valid, I uploaded my saved copies, and updated the links for my readers.

Whichever version you settle on,  I encourage you to keep a secure copy of your downloaded installation file, since your data will be inaccessible should your Money program ever become corrupted (or if you procure a new PC), and you find yourself  unable to reinstall the same version of Money that corresponds with your data file.

Determining what version of Money you have installed

If you are able to run Money, select Help, and then select About Money.  An alternative method…

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Money Plus\MNYCoreFiles\msmoney.exe

Right-click on the file  ⇑  and select Properties.   Product name and version will be revealed after you select the Details tab…

money ver

Backup file strategy

Cal reminds us:  Money 2005 overwrites the previous backup by default. Consider that if a file gets corrupted, backing up will back up the corrupted version, overwriting the previous good backup. So consider establishing a procedure to keep more than one vintage of backups.

For newer versions of Money, simply consider this strategy…

money backup

* The reason for having Money prompt you, is so that you don’t create a back up file each time you exit (which also overwrites the oldest backup file).   If I went into Money 10 times in a day, I would not want to back up 10 times, nor would I want to delete every known good backup file from previous days.   You will be given the choice to Back-Up Now or to Postpone.

Backup file versions

(from my C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Money Plus\MNYCoreFiles\Setup\mny.inf file)

; File Associations
FILE_TYPE_MNY = "Microsoft Money file"
FILE_TYPE_MNE = "Microsoft Money Essentials file"
FILE_TYPE_MBF = "Microsoft Money backup file"
FILE_TYPE_EV16 = "Microsoft Money Essentials backup."

FILE_TYPE_V17 = "Microsoft Money Plus (& "Sunset") backup." .m17
FILE_TYPE_V16 = "Microsoft Money 2007 backup."   .m16
FILE_TYPE_V15 = "Microsoft Money 2006 backup."   .m15
FILE_TYPE_V14 = "Microsoft Money 2005 backup."   .m14
FILE_TYPE_V12 = "Microsoft Money 2004 backup."   .m12
FILE_TYPE_V11 = "Microsoft Money 2003 backup."   .m11
FILE_TYPE_V10 = "Microsoft Money 2002 backup."   .m10
FILE_TYPE_V9 = "Microsoft Money 2001 backup."    .mn9
FILE_TYPE_V8 = "Microsoft Money 2000 backup."    .mn8
FILE_TYPE_V7 = "Microsoft Money '99 backup."     .mn7
FILE_TYPE_V6 = "Microsoft Money '98 backup."     .mn6
FILE_TYPE_V5 = "Microsoft Money '97 backup."     .mn5
FILE_TYPE_V4 = "Microsoft Money '95 backup."     .mn4
FILE_TYPE_V3 = "Microsoft Money v3 backup."      .mn3
FILE_TYPE_V2 = "Microsoft Money v2 backup."      .mn2
FILE_TYPE_V1 = "Microsoft Money v1 backup."      .mn1

PocketSense AppID and AppVER:

Product Version APPID APPVER
Money Plus (aka Money 2008)
& Money Plus – “Sunset” (aka Money 2009)		 Money Plus 1700
Money 2007 Money 1600
Money 2006 Money 1500
Money 2005 Money 1400
Money 2004 Money 1200
Money 2003 Money 1100*
Money 2002 Money 1000*
Money 2001 Money 900*
Money 2000 Money 800*
Money 99 Money 700*
Money 98 Money 600*
Money 97 Money 500*

* PocketSense scripts are not compatible with these versions (and possibly Money 2004)

Release History (source):

Marketed version Release Date Actual version Notes
Microsoft Money October 2, 1991 1.0 Initial release for Windows 3.0.
Microsoft Money 2.0 September 9, 1992 2.0  
Microsoft Money 3.0 January 6, 1994 3.0 Final Win16 version.
Microsoft Money 95 August 24, 1995 4.0, 4.0a First Win32 version.
Microsoft Money 97 November 19, 1996 5.0 Added ability to close accounts, provided online banking capabilities including online stock quotes (supported until February, 2004), and contained minor UI improvements. Last version to support Windows NT 3.51.
Microsoft Money 98 October 30, 1997 6.0 First version to require Internet Explorer as part of the interface.
Microsoft Money 99 August 14, 1998 7.0 Last localized release for Germany and Brazil.
Microsoft Money 2000 July 30, 1999 8.0 First edition for Windows Mobile platforms. Last localized release for Italy and in German Language for Switzerland and Austria.
Microsoft Money 2001 September 7, 2000 9.0  
Microsoft Money 2002 August 16, 2001 10.0 Last version to support Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 SP5.
Microsoft Money 2003 October 24, 2002 11.0  
Microsoft Money 2004 August 29, 2003 12.0 Last version to support original version of Windows 98 (“First Edition”).
Microsoft Money 2005 October 21, 2004 14.0 Last localized release for the U.K., French, and the International edition.
Microsoft Money 2006 September 27, 2005 15.0 Last localized release for Canada. Last version for Windows 98 SE/ME, and Windows 2000 SP3. Also the last version for Windows Mobile platforms.
Microsoft Money 2007 August 19, 2006 16.0 First version to require product activation for copies installed from downloaded installation files.
Microsoft Money Plus December 6, 2007 17.0.150.1415 (Home & Business)

17.0.120.1415 (Deluxe)

17.0.80.1415 (Essentials)

 Final retail release. First and only version to require product activation when installed from CD.
Microsoft Money Plus “Sunset” March 18, 2010

17.0.150.3817 (Home & Business)

17.0.120.3817 (Deluxe)

 Removed the activation requirement and most of the online updating features.

– ameridan

Renaming credit cards so they all appear at the top of “Favorite Accounts”

💳 Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards VISA

⇑  By inserting the credit card icon in front of your various credit card account names, since they will be grouped together in your Favorite Accounts screen (and other Account lists), they might be much easier to find. In fact, Money accepts icons in any text field with no ill effects (they are black/white only; no colors), however it should be noted that if you export to qif files, any icons will show up as unknown characters.

L[?? Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards VISA 

Here are an assortment of icons that I choose from for various memos, categories, payees, etc. Simply select one, copy, and paste…

🄰 🄱 🄲 🄳 🄴 🄵 🄶 🄷 🄸 🄹 🄺 🄻 🄼 🄽 🄾 🄿 🅀 🅁 🅂 🅃 🅄 🅅 🅆 🅇 🅈 🅉
🅰 🅱 🅲 🅳 🅴 🅵 🅶 🅷 🅸 🅹 🅺 🅻 🅼 🅽 🅾 🅿 🆀 🆁 🆂 🆃 🆄 🆅 🆆 🆇 🆈 🆉
🅐 🅑 🅒 🅓 🅔 🅕 🅖 🅗 🅘 🅙 🅚 🅛 🅜 🅝 🅞 🅟 🅠 🅡 🅢 🅣 🅤 🅥 🅦 🅧 🅨 🅩 𝕋𝕆𝔻
⓿ ❶ ❷ ❸ ❹ ❺ ❻ ❼ ❽ ❾ ❿ ⓫ ⓬ ⓭ ⓮ ⓯ ⓰ ⓱ ⓲ ⓳ ⓴ 👍 💳 🚗 ⏳ ✔ ≤
⦿ ◘ ◉ ❥ ✚ ➗✖ ✉ ➜ ❝ ❞ ⚫ ☀ 😉 ⌂ 🏠 🏘 ◎ ➤ 1ˢᵗ 2ⁿᵈ 3ʳᵈ 4ᵗʰ ≈
☺ ◦ ☻ ♥ ♦ ♣ ♠ ◘ ◙ ♂ ♀ ♪ ♫ ☼ ► ◄ ↕ ‼ ¶ § ▬ ↨ ↑ ↓ → ← ↔ ▲ ▼▽
🕷⚡️🔥📶🦷 📞 💊 👓 👀 📦 🎁 🔴 🕘 💵 🤑❄️🚘 𝕯𝖗 👩‍⚕️🩺💉🩹🧑🏾‍⚕️
  ꙱ 🛠️ ⛱️ 🏞️ 🌴 🛌 📅 🎧 💲 💵 ⊝ ⊕ ® € £
☻* ˚ ✰ ★ * ▌ • Ⓛ 📥 ⏬ 🛫 🌐 ➽ ⭐

F2O, a Fidelity-specific CSV to OFX converter

Fidelity  CSV • 2 • OFX  converter

This article (and Cal’s python scripts) are works in progress, so expect ongoing editing to reflect changes.  

In anticipation of Fidelity being swayed to shutdown their Direct Connect OFX server (we all hope this never actually happens!), which so conveniently feeds data directly into Money via Pocketsense scripts (without Yodlee, Quicken etc. handling your data), Cal Learner has undertaken the daunting task of creating OFX files using a combination of Portfolio and History CSV export files that may someday be the only data option for PFM software importing. Per Cal, Fidelity’s announced intention is to require that you use their preferred third party aggregator (that they just happen to have an ownership stake in and that requires payment for providing access to your data) to feed to your PFM software or to a cloud app (similar to Schwab, it might not even be OFX, which for us using Microsoft Money, would equate to broken).

Although presenting data might be relatively easy for transactions from “regular” accounts (bank accounts and credit cards that are either debits or credits), “investment” account transactions can be much more complicated. I recently discovered iCreateOFX Investments (reviewed here), which is capable of converting Fidelity history CSV files, but Cal’s goal ► (using current OFX files as a guide while they’re available) is to comingle data from concurrent positions CSV files along with history files, to duplicate the currently near-perfect processing of not only some very complicated brokerage transactions (his “scrubber” scripts have been taking care of any minor shortcomings), but a full account balancing of all holdings (positions) and prices (quotes) as well.

I am honored to serve as an alpha-tester in Cal’s year-long endeavor, which has resulted in two python scripts (that should run on Python 2.7.10 or higher), and two batch files.   Active State Python 2.7.18 (not 3), which is the current version that most Pocketsense users have installed, meets the requirements.  By eventually saving the created OFX files into your Python Scripts Import folder, his current intentions are to continue to allow Pocketsense to scrub and process those files.   For example, among other things, Cal’s Pocketsense scrubber (scrub_cL6.py) removes BUYMF and SELLMF transactions for Fidelity’s SPAXX, FDRXX (and perhaps 1 or 2 more now) holdings, so that Money will treat them like the cash sweep holdings that they are, rather than investments.

I think Cal and I have both concluded that as of 2/21/2024, F2O is ready to be released as “fully functional” beta, and he’s made it available here.  Unzip the downloaded contents into a folder named F2O (“F TWO OH”, not zero) in your Documents folder (not Downloads).

Continue reading “F2O, a Fidelity-specific CSV to OFX converter”

Using BoA’s Aggregator feature for importing transactions from multiple sources into Money

AUTHORED BY Jon LARSSEN (djevel)
edits by ameridan

As more and more financial institutions are retiring their OFX servers, a companion solution to Pocketsense has been created, which allows for streamlined (and free of charge) downloading of checking, savings, and credit card account transactions and balances using BoA’s (Bank of America) My Financial Picture aggregator tool, along with subsequent conversion to the ofx file format for importing into Microsoft Money. The instructions assume that the user already has Pocketsense working using Python 2.7. These instructions and codebase have been written for, and tested on, Windows 10 and Windows 11 running Python 3.10 or 3.11 (other 3.X installations should work out of the box, but have not been explicitly tested).

Basic functionality involves manual download of two files from the Bank of America website prior to ofx conversion, whereas the advanced functionality provides a fully hands-off automated download and conversion process.

Requirements for basic functionality:

  • A Bank of America or Merrill Edge (or possibly even Merrill Lynch – not tested) relationship. In other words you have to be (or willing to become) a Bank Of America customer in order to have access to the My Financial Picture aggregation tool.
  • Willingness to use Bank of America’s aggregator partner (Yodlee/Envestnet) to sync external bank/credit card accounts.
  • Python 3 installation. Pocketsense runs under python 2.7. The conversion script was written for python 3.X. Note that both 2.7 and 3.X can live harmoniously side by side, but to ensure that Pocksense is still executed using the Python 2.7 installation:

    ♦ after your Python 3.X install, right click on “getdata.py” (not the shortcut) ♦ choose “properties” ♦ “general” tab ♦ click “change” next to “opens with” ♦ navigate to and browse to your Python 2.7 “python.exe” executable (likely found @ “C:\python27\python.exe”).

    The My Financial Picture OFX converter python script and setup instructions/FAQ can be downloaded from his  Dropbox.

Additional requirements for advanced (browser automation) functionality:

iCreateOFX Investments ~ a CSV to OFX converter for Brokerage accounts – Schwab in particular

stock photo       click to enlarge

I don’t know why it took me so long to discover this great program that’s been available for a few years, but I guess because I’ve implemented methods to minimize the manual entry of my Schwab transactions into Money, I wasn’t looking very hard 😉 :

  • Move a majority of my investments over to Fidelity (yes, you can transfer investments directly; no need to sell them first), which still maintains an OFX server, especially those that result in monthly transactions (vs annual/biannual).
  • Usage of the Recurring Bills feature (only available for the cash side of your accounts), rather than manually entering entire transactions each month. The task is significantly simplified by simply updating the dollar amounts when reconciling.
  • In tandem with the previous item, developing an abbreviated journal type entry for money market non-qualified “interest” dividends (because they aren’t getting reinvested), again using Recurring Bills for subsequent months, as discussed in https://microsoftmoneyoffline.wordpress.com/2023/07/18/improving-moneys-handling-of-monthly-money-market-earnings-in-your-schwab-investment-accounts/.

iCreateOFX Investments

The shareware program, which is also available in Banking and PayPal iterations, is iCreateOFX Investments, can be downloaded for a 30-day trial @ https://icreateofx.com/products/investment/, but I think you’ll immediately agree that it is well worth the $14 license fee. I feel compelled to mention that I have no affiliation with the company.

Although there is a learning curve in the few steps involved from the time you export your file from the web portal to importing your first OFX file into your personal financial management (PFM) software, and the fact that each account must be processed individually, this can be a time saver for a sizeable batch of transactions (perhaps not for one or two transactions though).

There are a few converters out there that accommodate banking and credit card transactions (I haven’t had any luck with the Excel versions 😦 ), but this is the first, to my knowledge, that will process investment transactions for Sunset Money (and older versions, I’m told).

Supported transactions types:

Continue reading “iCreateOFX Investments ~ a CSV to OFX converter for Brokerage accounts – Schwab in particular”

Improving Money’s handling of monthly Money Market Earnings in your Schwab Investment Accounts

Now that Schwab no longer offers ofx downloads, unless they are exported from the web portal and converted into a format that Money recognizes, transactions must be entered manually.  In most cases, this can be made somewhat easier by using the recurring bills feature to enter most of the transaction for you each month.  However, other than investment purchases, you’ll observe that this feature isn’t available within “Investment” accounts – only “Regular” accounts.  This can be overcome by using abbreviated transactions, but they are only appropriate for certain types of earnings, such as money market dividends (that aren’t reinvested).

Normally, I would enter SWVXX dividends using the formal investment account double-entry that would transfer that dividend to the cash side of that account

swvxx formal

but since these non-qualified “interest” dividends aren’t getting reinvested, an abbreviated journal type entry from the cash side of the account can be utilized instead.

swvxx abbrev

Then, by making this a recurring bill, rather than manually entering the entire transaction each month, the task is significantly simplified by simply updating the dollar amount.

swvxx bills

Other monthly bills, bank interest, etc.

[added 1/17/2024]
In fact, now I handle almost all of my Schwab transactions in this manner, rather than manually inputting them from scratch…

schwab bank int

schwab bill pay

schwab bill pay2

– ameridan

How to record:  ⚫ Equity or Index Call Options ⚫ Rights Offerings

A question came up today regarding a topic I know little about, but I think I found an answer by Cal Learner in response to a similar question back in 2018. I learned something new today, and I hope it proves helpful.

To buy an option, you would normally enter a Buy to Open transaction. You will have to scroll down the activity list to see that one. Enter the investment type as "Equity or Index Option". 

When you sell the option, it is Sell to Close.

To expire the option, do a Sell to Close for $0. 

Here are some  old notes I had for exercising the option, which may or  may not be useful:

Suppose you are selling 10 covered calls.  If you define the option as an Equity Option, enter a "Sell to Open" transaction for 10 contracts.  Note that a quirk prevents you from being able to change the symbol for a security that has been defined as an Equity Option in Money 2005 and maybe 2006.  Thus you might want to name the option "DOW 30 Jan Call" rather than "DOW 30 Jan 04 Call".  Expire will be a native type for the options.  This problem does not exist in Money Plus.

If you define the option as a Stock, enter a "Short Sell"
transaction for 1000` shares.  You will be able to change the symbol later if you like.  To expire the option, enter a Cover Short for $0.

Note that for quotes download, the symbol must start with a period.
For example, .DOWAF is the symbol for Dow Call Jan $30.  If you are entering the prices manually, you can leave the symbol blank.

==============================================

On Tue, 30 Sep 2008, "Scott Tyler"  wrote:

--------------------------------------
Something to watch out for:

When you download option prices (which I didn't know was possible until seeing your post.  I've been updating prices manually for the few months that I've been trading options) the expiration date in the investment details is populated.

When you close or expire your position, be sure to blank out or change the symbol, and blank out the expiration date.  Otherwise, sometime in the month
following the expiration date, Money will magically delete the option, removing it from your closed positions and reports, and wiping out the price history.

Blanking out the expiration date seems to prevent this issue.

Re-creating an option with the same name used the first time will resurrect a deleted option, but it won't restore the price history.

I just had to set my system clock back to August, load a backup from August, and send the price history for two options to Excel, so that I could fix it in my main file.

How to record: ⚫ RMD annuity withdrawals from your Traditional IRA account ⚫ Social Security annuity payments

I’m not quite 70 yet, but I’ve been experimenting with accommodating my first RMD annuity withdrawal (yes, your RMDs are a “forced annuity” normally distributed annually, although you could request monthly payments) from my traditional IRA account for when the time comes.  That was supposed to be @ age 70½ (2024 for me), then @ age 72, and now I think Uncle Sam has settled on @ age 73 (2026 for me).   The delay allows more time for your Roth IRA conversions, to hopefully result in those RMD distributions being taxed in a lower tier for the rest of your life (see my earlier article if you’d like to see how I’m recording Roth conversion distributions).   In case it might be helpful to others, I thought I would share how I’m going to record my transactions.

See my article for an in-depth look at my creation of more specific categories that you’ll see referenced below.  Also, another article that might be helpful, regarding retirement income.

Although a split transaction would work fine, I really like the clean presentation that the Paycheck option offers.  I haven’t had any luck getting all of the amounts to align properly (+/-) using a Deposit transaction , so instead, I initiated this successfully as (eventually, a recurring) Withdrawal transaction, for proper reporting of all of the other data within, note the negative (▬) dollar amounts…

Creating a new withdrawal from your Trad IRA Cash Account:

Payee: IRA DISTRIBUTION → Dan

Transaction Amount:  ✚ $ Gross amount of RMD getting deducted from the traditional IRA Cash account Continue reading “How to record: ⚫ RMD annuity withdrawals from your Traditional IRA account ⚫ Social Security annuity payments”

How to record: ⚫ U.S. GOVT Series I Savings Bond transactions ⚫ U.S. GOVT Series EE Savings Bond transactions

Go directly to: ✰ U.S. GOVT Series EE Savings Bonds
⚫ Keeping track of your Saving Bonds values (EE and I)

✰ U.S. GOVT Series I Savings Bonds

maribond10k

[WSJ reported on 10/27/2022, that more than $22.3 billion worth of I Bonds have been purchased in 2022, through September, because TreasuryDirect announced in April that the current annual rate of 9.62% accompanies an investment in I bonds (for the first six months)!]

[UPDATED 4/28/2022; Inspired to consider Savings Bonds by Harry Sit (The Finance Buff blog); review his great presentation here)]

My original article follows.

Our economy is expected to eventually mimic Japan’s (negative returns), and with the rate of inflation expected to increase soon, an investment where your earnings are guaranteed and adjusted to match the rate of inflation, not lose to it, sounds most favorable.

I observed today, that by entering the purchase of Savings Bonds by the conventional method, using Money’s dedicated investment type “CD or U.S. Savings Bond”, the bonds don’t show up as investments in the Portfolio Manager screens, nor is there a means of updating the value to reflect the monthly reinvested interest during the years prior to redemption.

What might be a better way to record the purchase of Series I Savings Bonds (Ι Bonds), in Microsoft Money?

Continue reading “How to record: ⚫ U.S. GOVT Series I Savings Bond transactions ⚫ U.S. GOVT Series EE Savings Bond transactions”

Open letter to Schwab (Portfolio management software requires access to our financial data in ofx or qfx format)

Mr. Walt Bettinger
President & CEO at Charles Schwab

I am appealing to you, and hoping that you might be able direct remedial action within your organization, to discourage losing Schwab clients like myself, that don’t know who else to appeal to, as a result of a corporate decision to shutdown access to your ofx server(s) to everyone except Envestnet Yodlee, Intuit, and eMoney Advisor, as of COB on October 16, 2020.  As far as I know, all of your competitors make their financial data available in ofx or qfx format for their clients.

Perhaps unknown to yourself, many of your clients chose to use portfolio management software, that requires access to our financial data in ofx or qfx format, unless input manually.  Although you provide this format for those using Quicken, many of us use other software, including Microsoft Money, a Windows program which we feel is superior (even though Microsoft no longer supports it), and doesn’t require a subscription.  In the interest of client data security, I can understand your choice to stop 3rd-party access to our data, but by doing so, you’ve also cut off your client’s “1st-party” access to OUR data.  On Schwab’s web portal, you used to offer an export option of our transactions in ofx format, and although less convenient than the automated downloads we’ve obtained on a daily basis for the past 20 years from your ofx server, re-enabling that option would at least solve our dilemma.  Currently, you only offer exporting our financial data in CSV format, which is pretty useless except for importing into spreadsheets.

Sincerely,
Daniel Adkins

Continue reading “Open letter to Schwab (Portfolio management software requires access to our financial data in ofx or qfx format)”