If you are a Quicken user, you may know that Quicken is planning another mandatory upgrade this year. I believe the last mandatory upgrade was in 2010. If you, like me are operating on the 2010 software version, by April 30, 2013 you need to upgrade to the 2013 version of the software or you will lose the ability to electronically download transactions from your financial institutions to your accounts. Electronic downloading is probably the biggest benefit of Quicken.

While I’m not a big coupon person, this past weekend, I was seeing a lot of deals on Quicken and I snapped one up. I was looking for the Home and Business edition of the software which retails for $109. If I was going to be forced to upgrade, I wanted to get the lowest price I could. I used a coupon at Staples and got a copy for about $89 with tax (the in-store coupon was far more generous than the shop online coupon), which I thought was pretty good. Prices on this software are maddeningly always changing however and now it looks like they have dropped online.

Note that the “Starter” version of Quicken, while the cheapest option, has restrictions on converting your old data and might have issues if you decide to transfer your “Starter” data into more robust editions of Quicken. So, you probably want to avoid this edition so you don’t waste time entering transactions you can’t use later.

The 2013 software is about 90% the same as the old software but there are a few key changes.  The first is that the software has some sort of mobile interface where you can update your balances from a smart phone.  It sounds like a neat feature but there is no way we are going to use this.  With all of the sophisticated ways that people can “steal” data from cell phones, I am just way too nervous about snooping.  Interestingly, the 2013 Quicken End User Software License Agreement (yes, nerds like me do read these things) had this to say on the matter:

8.     USE WITH YOUR MOBILE DEVICE.  Mobile access to the Quicken Connected Service may not be available for all mobile devices or telecommunication providers.  Use of the Quicken Connected Service requires a compatible mobile device, Internet access and may require software.  You agree that you are solely responsible for these requirements, including any applicable changes, updates and fees as well as the terms of your agreement with your mobile device and telecommunications provider.   INTUIT MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, STATUTORY OR IMPLIED AS TO:  (i) THE AVAILABILITY OF TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES FROM YOUR PROVIDER AND ACCESS TO THE SERVICES  AT ANY TIME OR FROM ANY LOCATION; (ii) ANY LOSS, DAMAGE, OR OTHER SECURITY INTRUSION OF THE TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES; AND (iii) ANY DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO THIRD PARTIES OR FAILURE TO TRANSMIT ANY DATA, COMMUNICATIONS OR SETTINGS CONNECTED WITH THE SERVICES.

I am still getting used to the new software.  Again, it seems mostly the same as the old version.  However, I did discover one new feature that is actually useful! If you have a home mortgage, Quicken 2013 has some new financial graphing and calculation tools. These tools let you experiment with different scenarios to see what would happen if you paid extra each month or made a one-time lump sum payment.

Are you due for a Quicken upgrade this year?  How will you snag the best price on Quicken?  Are you pleased with any of the new features?  Please share in the comments.