Where do I start the downloading process?

Eric Johnson

I got great help from the Quicken staff yesterday on how to download credit card actions so I can reconcile an account? However, I've forgotten how to start the process.

Seems like I had to open a credit card account and then select something that brought the selection process for the financial institution to the screen. Several colored icons but it was mostly a list of the institutional names.

Where is it on the main menu and then what is the first selection? I did the most extensive card account I have under the guidance of the help staff. However there was no recording of this and I just can't remember the starting point. Help please?

Boatnmaniac

The setup process you mentioned (create a manual account first...then Account Register > upper right Gear icon > Edit Account Details > Online Services tab > Set Up Now > follow the prompts > if/when prompted be sure to Link the resulting download to the manual account that was previously set up) is one way to get an account connected for downloading but there is another way that has fewer steps and that does not require you to first manually set up the account:

• Tools > Add Account > type in the name of the Financial Institution (FI) and select from the FI name(s) that shows up (or click on one of the FI buttons shown) > Next > follow the prompts.  During this process, Quicken will add it as a new account.
  
• If a manual account was previously created, if/when prompted, be sure to Link the download to that previously created manual account.
  

Did this answer your question?

Boatnmaniac

@Eric Johnson - I am sorry to hear about the loss of your wife.  That is always a difficult thing to deal with.  Wishing you the best.

Since your primary bank does not support Quicken, something you might want to consider:  Look around at other banks and see which of them do support Quicken.  Most banks now do not even require you to go to a brick-and-mortar branch to set up a new account...it can all be done online, often taking just a few minutes.  Many people have done just that and they are happy with the results. 

But if you are like some people, changing banks is not something they are comfortable with.  If you decide to remain with your current bank, you can still manage your account(s) in Quicken but you will need to setup the account(s) and enter transactions manually.  You can do this via Add Account > +Offline Account tab > select the type of account > follow the prompts.

Ps56k2

If these basic Quicken tasks seem daunting, you might be interested in the web based Quicken product - SIMPLIFI 
https://www.quicken.com/simplifi/

Boatnmaniac

The setup process you mentioned (create a manual account first...then Account Register > upper right Gear icon > Edit Account Details > Online Services tab > Set Up Now > follow the prompts > if/when prompted be sure to Link the resulting download to the manual account that was previously set up) is one way to get an account connected for downloading but there is another way that has fewer steps and that does not require you to first manually set up the account:

• Tools > Add Account > type in the name of the Financial Institution (FI) and select from the FI name(s) that shows up (or click on one of the FI buttons shown) > Next > follow the prompts.  During this process, Quicken will add it as a new account.
  
• If a manual account was previously created, if/when prompted, be sure to Link the download to that previously created manual account.
  

Did this answer your question?

Eric Johnson

That's it. Thanks and now I have a printed record of what to do. Sadly it appears as though my primary bank isn't covered. I wonder if there is a way to give them a gentle nudge?

When my wife died and I "took over" I gradually moved probably 95% of my spending to credit cards which I then pay off with a singe EFT once a month. It works very smoothly and with this reconciliation step automated.I've got more time to do the housework.

I was sort of on the right path but I though the tool with the icons was first and so was a bit baffled. Thanks again.

Eric Johnson

Chris_QPW

Eric Johnson said:

That's it. Thanks and now I have a printed record of what to do. Sadly it appears as though my primary bank isn't covered. I wonder if there is a way to give them a gentle nudge?

When my wife died and I "took over" I gradually moved probably 95% of my spending to credit cards which I then pay off with a singe EFT once a month. It works very smoothly and with this reconciliation step automated.I've got more time to do the housework.

I was sort of on the right path but I though the tool with the icons was first and so was a bit baffled. Thanks again.

Eric Johnson

It the financial institution that decides to support Quicken or not, so the "nudge" would be to talk to them about it.

We take the same approach on our spending.  Almost everything to a credit card and all possible billers paid automatically from those cards, and for just a few utilities directly from our checking account.
And the credit cards are even automatically paid.  So, our "cashflow" is extremely simple to manage.

Ps56k2

@Eric Johnson - what bank are you using and would like to download ? 

Boatnmaniac

@Eric Johnson - I am sorry to hear about the loss of your wife.  That is always a difficult thing to deal with.  Wishing you the best.

Since your primary bank does not support Quicken, something you might want to consider:  Look around at other banks and see which of them do support Quicken.  Most banks now do not even require you to go to a brick-and-mortar branch to set up a new account...it can all be done online, often taking just a few minutes.  Many people have done just that and they are happy with the results. 

But if you are like some people, changing banks is not something they are comfortable with.  If you decide to remain with your current bank, you can still manage your account(s) in Quicken but you will need to setup the account(s) and enter transactions manually.  You can do this via Add Account > +Offline Account tab > select the type of account > follow the prompts.

Eric Johnson

The primary bank is not the provider of the main credit card so the fact the I can't do this with them is not a big deal. Besides, I've used them for almost 50 years so I won't change banks. I will however put a whisper in their ear. Thanks.

Eric Johnson

One last question. Will I have to go through this each time or since I've done it once, the trasaction is designed and ready to use again?

Boatnmaniac

Eric Johnson said:

One last question. Will I have to go through this each time or since I've done it once, the trasaction is designed and ready to use again?

The account online services setup process (i.e., Add Account) generally only needs to be done 1X.  However, if/when there is a downloading issue encountered the fix sometimes might require the connection to be deactivated and then reactivated.  The reactivation is essentially setting up online service all over again (all data should be retained). It might also need to be done again if/when the FI makes a connection change on their end (not a common occurrence).

I should have also mentioned that if you do not want to have to manually enter your accounts' PWs every time you want to download transactions into Quicken via One Step Now (OSU) or Update Now, be sure to check the box for Save to password vault during the Add Account process.  By doing this, Quicken will automatically enter the information for you each time you run OSU or Update Now.

Ps56k2

If these basic Quicken tasks seem daunting, you might be interested in the web based Quicken product - SIMPLIFI 
https://www.quicken.com/simplifi/

Eric Johnson

Thanks.