Checkbook Ease

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Home Learning Center Manual FAQ

            
Frequently Asked Questions
   
 
  1. Doesn't entering data into a checkbook program take a long time?  
     
  2. I'm new to checkbook  programs. At first,  I just want to use Checkbook Ease to handle my bank accounts, must I use a budget? 
     
  3. How does the Checkbook Ease Budget system work?  
     
  4. I want to start a budget. What is the best way to begin?   
     
  5. How do I change my budget?
     
  6. How does Checkbook Ease handle budgeting for credit cards?
     
  7. I want to pay off my credit card balance. How do I budget for that?
     
  8. How do I back up data?
     
  9. I want to upgrade from Checkbook Ease Freeware to  Checkbook Ease  Premium. Will my checkbook and budget be available?
     
  10. A Security warning dialog appears when running your software, why?

 


Answers

 
1. Doesn't entering data into a checkbook program take a long time?    
                                                       
A.

 

 

 

 Checkbook Ease has a number of features to make entering data as quick and easy as possible:
  1. A calendar and numeric pad for entering dates and amounts
  2. A list of payees - a separate list is kept for each bank account. You can easily add or remove payee's from this list.
  3. Checkbook Ease allows you to use a previously entered transaction as the starting point for a new transaction. All you have to do is simply make the changes that are needed, for example, the check number, date and amount and click enter.
2. I'm new to checkbook  programs. At first,  I just want to use Checkbook Ease to handle my bank accounts, must I enter a budget and assign budget categories?                                                                                          
A. No. You do not need to use the budget features. Checkbook Ease uses "None" for a budget category as the default. No screens will pop up asking you to enter a budget category. You can start using the budget features at any time or discontinue their use at any time.

 
3. How does the Checkbook Ease Budget system work?  
 
A.

  
  1. You first develop a monthly budget.
  2. Your budget can contain  many categories or only a few major categories with the details as sub-categories.
  3. Once a month, you transfer money into each budget category. This is done by clicking a single button.
  4. Your monthly budget and the balance in  each category is displayed.
  5. As enter transactions the selected budget category balance is reduced.
4. I want to start a budget. What is the best way to begin?  
                           
A.

 
  1. Use Checkbook Ease as a budget worksheet.
  2. Set up some budget categories and subcategories in Checkbook Ease. See the Users Manual for an example.
  3. Assign a category to each transaction. Keep adding categories as necessary.
  4. After a few weeks use the Search feature to find out how much you have charged to each category for the month.
  5. Add a monthly amount to each category and transfer money to the budget.
  6. Do this periodically, usually monthly, to insure your monthly budget reflects your actual expenses.
5. How do I change my budget?    
                                                                       
A.
  1. Select the budget category you want to change.
  2. You can delete the category, add subcategories or change the amount.
  3. The monthly budget will be updated when you hit the enter key.

 
6. How does Checkbook Ease handle budgeting for Credit Cards?
                                                                                                                               
A.

 

 The following example best illustrates the process:

When a charge to the Visa credit card  is entered (i.e. $50 to Walmart)  and the budget category Clothes is selected: $50 is transferred from the Clothes balance to the Visa balance. The money is now budgeted under Visa to pay the $50 Visa bill  when it is due.

 
7. I want to pay off my credit card balance. How do I budget for that?     
                                                                                      
A.
  1. You add a monthly amount to your credit card category.
  2. When you make your monthly transfer this amount will be added to your credit card budget balance. (i.e.. $150)
  3. Your balance will always be $150 more than the charges accumulated during the month. 

 
8. How do I back up data?   
 
A.

 

 The safest way of backing up data is to place the folder containing the data  C:\Program Files\CheckbookEasePremium\Data  or  C:\Program Files\CheckbookEaseFreeware\Data on a CD. A copy of the data file on the same hard drive  will not protect you from major problems.

 
9. I want to upgrade from Checkbook Ease Freeware to  Checkbook Ease  Premium. Will my checkbook and budget be available?
 
A.

  

 Yes.  Install Checkbook Ease  in the same folder as the freeware version, so that  your checkbook and budget will be available.

 
10. A Security warning dialog appears when installing your software, why?
 
A.

  

After you install Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 you may see a security warning dialog box when you attempt to run CheckbookEase installers and trials that you have downloaded from our website. The security warning dialog box may indicate that the publisher of the file could not be verified, it says "Unknown Publisher". Windows XP Service Pack 2 enhances the security of your computer by tracking files that have been downloaded from the web and that could potentially harm your computer by running or installing malicious programs. Specifically, Windows checks that those programs have a digital signature attached. Digital signatures verify the authenticity of software and contain information about the publisher of the software. If a digital signature is not found on a piece of software, the following dialog box appears:

 

The dialog box lists the Publisher as Unknown. This is not true. You know the publisher. Checkbook Ease is the publisher of all software coming from this website. . In order to be a known publisher, all software developers must purchase an expensive digital certificate which is costly for small developers. Many reputable software developers have not purchased a digital certificate. Our reputation depends upon the safety of our software.

This is a statement from Microsoft regarding this "Unknown Publisher" security dialog:

"As software publishers create and file their digital signatures, there may be a transitional period during which many reliable software applications will not yet have a digital signature. Even without a digital signature, users are able to click the Run button to confirm they want to install the software. The installation will proceed as normal."