Microsoft Money 2004 Highlights Credit Management and Capital Gains Timely Financial News and Two Years' Free Online Bill Payment Eric Grevstad
Mon 7/28/03 -- The annual upgrade of Microsoft Money has arrived, adding a wealth of credit-related tools and a free online bill-payment service to the popular personal-finance software collection.
Through an alliance with Experian Consumer Direct, three of the four Money 2004 packages provide a free credit report and one year of ongoing credit monitoring, including unlimited credit scores, percentile rankings, risk levels, and daily credit alerts. An extensive Credit Center offers a summary of debt accounts, educational content, access to "what if" scenarios, and information on credit protection.
Money 2004 Premium ($80 with a $20 rebate) also offers two years of MSN Bill Pay, an online service for bill payment and funds transfers; one free federal online tax preparation and filing from H&R Block; and a capital gains tax optimizer from CCH-GainsKeeper, including guidance on which transactions to make and the resulting tax savings and an automatically generated Schedule D form. Buyers also get a complimentary initial personal financial consultation and $100 U.S. Savings Bond from an American Express financial advisor.
Money 2004 Small Business ($90 with a $20 rebate) adds more than $485 worth of financial services including inventory and cash flow management and a year of online payroll from PayCycle. Money 2004 Deluxe ($60 with a $20 rebate) and Money 2004 Standard ($30 with a $10 rebate; does not include the Experian credit report) have been enhanced with access to the MSN Money Web site for timely financial information and personalized news alerts.
