Microsoft is releasing updates to the several editions of its Money personal finance manager, adding new tools to manage investments and payments along with trial subscriptions to numerous new and enhanced services. The updated editions of Money provide many of the same basic cash-management tools; different editions give access to additional services.
The new top-of-the-line edition, Microsoft Money 2004 Premium ($80) targets serious investors; it includes all the new features and services. Money 2004 Deluxe ($60), which handles most daily money-management tasks, features some of the services. Money 2004 Small Business ($90) replaces the current Deluxe & Business version and provides access to several specialized services. Money 2004 Standard ($30) doesn't come with any of the services.
Features common to all versions include a revamped Money home page, which users can customize with such tools as news feeds, alerts, and a task list. The page also acts as a portal to the various online services. MSN Bill Bay is available to all versions through that interface; it costs $71 yearly, but is free for two years with Money Premium and one year with Deluxe.
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