Money is dead: Five alternative programs to keep track of your cash

By Rich Trenholm on 12 June 2009, 5:33pm

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Wesabe

Wesabe is an online service that uploads information from your bank. Unlike Mint and Quicken, Wesabe supports -- in theory -- any financial institution, as long as it offers account information export. You can even suggest any it's missed. All the major UK banks are already listed, however.

Automatic syncing only works with selected banks. You can manually upload your account information or, once you've done this the first time, a Firefox extension can automatically sync for you in future. You can even create an account for the cash you have in your wallet, if you want to micro-manage your finances down to the shrapnel. You can tag transactions, and view those tags in a list or a cloud, as well as setting goals.

Wesabe also has a community element, allowing Wesabeans to anonymously share ideas and advice or join groups. Suggested alternative retailers -- which are based on community feedback and not paid placements -- can be displayed alongside transactions, and a Cutback tool spots recurring fees and suggests how much you'd save if you gave up that particular treat. There's a Vista gadget and Apple Dashboard widget, and mobile and iPhone sites that allows you to keep track of cash transactions.

A Labs section of the site currently features an option to track investment plans and also enter upcoming transactions, while bill-paying features are reportedly on the way. A 'freemium' model is also likely to arrive soon, so now could well be the time to get in there and try it out for free.