Thanks, Chris and Brian! I think I figured out my last question myself.
After posting this question, it hit me...like "DOH!" I just went to my
online banking and picked up the actual ending balance on the statement, not
my register as of 9/30 and entered that. Anything else that is/will be
cleared from 10/1 will show up in new transactions that I download after
that, keeping my balance current.

You're right, Brian, in that it is a pain to start over, but I've been
putting off doing it. I think I'll just bite the bullet and just do it.
Chris, I believe I understand what you're saying and it's similar to what
I've been doing. I just didn't do it quite like you suggested. I'll for
sure give that a try!

Thanks so much to both of you!!

Bruce
"Chris Cowles" <NoSpam[at]For.me> wrote in message
news:OyUVw%23UqEHA.556[at]TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
- quote -

That is correct.

"Bruce" <bderouen[at]excite.com> wrote in message
news:_iT7d.28529$Ok.20725[at]okepread04...
- quote -

If you use online banking with banks that support direct connection with
Money, or allow download of *.OFX or *.QIF account statements from their web
site, you don't have to worry about 'staying on top of things'. Update
online or import the statements periodically and it will keep you current.
You just have to do it often enough that the transactions you need are still
available from the bank.

The message M05 gives you about deleting transactions applies to the new
duplicate account it created it. Merge the duplicate account to your
original and the transactions in your original are preserved. If the
original is not complete, export the transactions from the duplicate first.
Then, after merging, re-import them as a 'statement' from the bank. That
will match transactions where they already exist and add where they don't.
Best of both worlds, in your case.
--
Chris Cowles,
Gainesville, FL

"BriaN" <anonymous[at]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:13d101c4a910$66e8f310$a501280a[at]phx.gbl...
- quote -

Thanks BriaN! When you started over (and I do plan on starting clean), how
did you (or others that have done the same thing) handle uncleared
transactions from a previous month? I mean, should I take my balance as of
today and then adjust it to account for uncleared transactions in my
checking accounts and then add to my new file? It would seem to be the
cleanest way, but as long as I've been doing this, this is the first time
I've started over.

In other words, if I have, lets say 2 checks for $10 each (boy, I wish they
were that small...hehe) from September that hasn't cleared and my balance in
my register as of the end of September is $100, wouldn't it be best to enter
a beginning balance of $80, and then enter my 2 checks to balance me as of
the end of september? Sorry if I"m sounding too simplistic, but if I am
going to do this, I want to make sure and get it started off cleanly.

Thanks so much for your help, or anyone else that has suggestions to offer!!

Bruce
"BriaN" <anonymous[at]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:13d101c4a910$66e8f310$a501280a[at]phx.gbl...
- quote -

Bruce, I've been through the same problem. I "started
over" in January of last year by doing exactly what you
are suggesting: setting up all accounts with a starting
balance that's current as of today (in my case, January
2003). It worked pretty well for me. That was with
Money 2003, FWIW.

Unfortunately, I managed to stay on top of things only
for about 16 months; then I began getting a little lazy.
So when Money 2005 came out, I asked the same question as
you. I've chosen to continue with my existing file this
time though. From my experience, here's what I'd
suggest: if you don't mind recreating your budget and
scheduled bills, and if you don't mind not seeing all of
your spending history in one file, start clean. Money
2005 tends to want to set up a "new" account separate
from your existing one each time you add online services
for an account. (Read more in this newsgroup, and you'll
see others concur.) Sure, you can merge accounts, but I
keep getting a warning that most of my transaction
history will be deleted to prevent duplicate
transactions. So even though it's a little painful to
start over, it's arguably more painful to catch up and
migrate at the same time.

- quote -

Hi all!
I have been using Money 2003 and then 2004. I'm playing around with the 2005
trial for now and so far, I'm thinking about upgrading.

My question is due to some stupid decisions and mistakes on my part, my
current money file is not exactly as clean as I would like it. I'm not gonna
scrap it, but I'd like to keep my old file as an archive. I'm wondering,
how would you suggest I start a new file? Should I begin with a particular
balance on each account and just start entering from there? My Credit union
has online banking...would it be better to download transactions beginning
with this month? if that is the case, can I enter a beginning balance.

Whatever suggestions anyone could give would be appreciated! Thanks in
advance!!

Bruce