Money 2006 Premium Edition centralizes finances from your banks, brokerage and credit card accounts. It gives up-to-date balances. It allows overview of the figures in top line or individual details.

The program follows investments and calculates the tax impact of trades. This helps make tax-smart investment choices, thus simplifying tax preparation by maximizing savings, finding deductions and exporting the data to tax preparation software.

Money 2006 partners with other companies after one-year periods, offering discounts with credit reports, children's savings programs, and special check offers.

System Requirements are:

1. Multimedia PC with Pentium 166 MHz
2. Windows 98 SE or later; Windows 2000 Professional with Service Pack 3; Windows XP with SP1 (SP2 recommended)
3. 32 MB of RAM; 64 MB of RAM for XP
4. 130 MB available hard-disc space plus 60 MB for IE 6, SP1 (is included on the CD, won't displace your primary browser), plus an additional 200 MB while installing product updates
5. 2x or faster CD-ROM Drive
6. SVGA graphics card or compatible video graphics adapter, SVGA color monitor with a minimum of 256 colors capable of displaying 800 x 600 resolution, 16-bit color recommended
7. Microsoft mouse or compatible pointing device, 8.56 Kbps modem
8. Internet functionality—requires ISP
9. Most online features require that you sign into Money with an e-mail address and password

The installation CD gives detailed instructions. However, use of the program requires some personal level of understanding of the various financial practices offered in the program. There was not a manual. I did not contact technical support. Two contact numbers were given; however, toll charges may apply. The 800 number states that it is paid assisted support. Issues can be done online.

I am no expert computer user, but have been able to follow the instructions on the CD. I do have a general understanding of the financial functions in the program. Any user must understand the financial structure of the individual functions to fully utilize that portion of the program. A potential buyer should decide if they would/could use all aspects of Money 2006 Premium, then decide if the cost justifies the purchase. The cost of the Premium Edition on Microsoft's site is $79.95.

..."You must do the thing which you think you cannot do." Eleanor Roosevelt