Budget Pulse review

One of the most important things you can do for your financial situation is track your finances, what’s coming in, going out, where it’s coming from, and where it’s going. This information can help you find weak spots in your budget and plug any money leaks you have.

BudgetPulse.com is a free website that can help you do just that. BudgetPulse has a clean interface, is easy to use and customize, and can help you build a budget that fits your needs. One feature that sets Budget Pulse apart from other online money management tools is the layer of protection between the application and your financial accounts. BudgetPulse does not actually access any of your data directly, leaving it up to you to import your data from a file you can easily download from your financial institution. BudgetPulse is compatible with an Quicken or Microsoft Money file, or a csv or Excel file (you can download the format from BudgetPulse to make it easier for you).

The added step doesn’t take much time, is easy to accomplish, and lets you focus on your finances instead of security. There are many other great features and BudgetPulse works with any currency.

BudgetPulse.com has also integrated an online fundraising functionality with its personal finance software where users can collect contributions from family and friends via PayPal, Amazon, or money that has been pledged. Users have one centralized place to collect multiple contributions and then can track their goals within the budgeting software to see how it affects their personal budget, eliminating multiple programs or systems to keep everything organized. This can be used by individuals, non-profit organizations, teams, clubs, and more.

Budget Pulse is one of many free online money management tools, and definitely worth a look.

CASTING CALL: Young Americans and Money

Are you between the ages of 18-35 and do you have a money story to share? Then check out Your Money Story, which will be a documentary featuring the money stories of today’s young adult generation. This documentary is being produced and directed by Thomas Lennon, who is an Academy Award winner, has two Emmys, and has had films shown on PBS, HBO, and throughout Europe and Asia.

Your Money Story is a project exploring the financial pressures on young people in America. Created by an award-winning production company, the project – a series of short films – will feature a dozen stories. They are looking for the good, the bad, the surprising, the humorous.

Some examples of money stories they are seeking:

Are you in college, with your parents paying all your bills, and feel like you’re living in a financial bubble?
Or are you studying and working and accumulating debt – all at once?
Are you in a crazy roommate situation that you never dreamed you’d be in? Or rattling around a house that’s too fancy and large, wondering why it’s yours?
How do you and your spouse communicate about money? Do you have different ways of saving and spending? Ingenious ways to keep the peace?
Are you living under one roof with parents and grandparents who handle money very differently than you?
Other unique stories or reflections that

If you fit into any of these categories, or if you have an interesting money story you want to share, contact them at their website.

Web design and blog coaching

Special thanks to Larry at Empty Cabin Media. I had a coding issue with my theme, and Larry from Empty Cabin Media helped me troubleshoot and fix the problem. Larry does great custom web design, especially on the Thesis platform. If you need a custom blog design or want coaching with your blogging efforts, then drop him an e-mail. I highly recommend working with him.