In-Home Quicken Budget Setup

I need a Quicken-savvy office worker to work with me, in person, at my home, and get our household finances running smoothly. The immediate focus is budgeting and expense tracking in Quicken. We have no formal budget, so this is an initial setup from scratch rather than tweaking an existing plan.

Here is what I would like to accomplish together:

• Create a clean Quicken data file, import or download recent transactions, and make sure every expense is correctly categorized.
• Build a realistic monthly budget inside Quicken, mapping each category to our actual spending patterns.
• Identify quick wins and longer-term strategies to reduce spending; my main goal is to lower discretionary outflows without sacrificing essentials.
• Show me how to generate and interpret Quicken’s built-in spending and budget reports so I can stay on track after you leave.

Acceptance criteria
1. Quicken file is fully reconciled and error-free for the last six months.
2. Budget is set for all active categories with monthly targets that reflect our priorities.
3. I receive a short written summary (PDF or Word) highlighting at least five specific, actionable ways to cut costs based on the data you reviewed.
4. You provide a quick walkthrough so I feel confident maintaining the system solo.

Please note: this is an on-site engagement paying a reasonable hourly rate. Candidates must be able to visit my home in Newburyport, Mass., at mutually convenient times. Let me know your availability, relevant Quicken experience, and any questions you have.