About reminders

Chances are your bills do not all arrive on the same day. They trickle in, and you try to pay each one on time. To save time and effort, you can have Quicken remind you when a bill is due. You can then pay the bill the way you usually do: with a check, an online payment, or a direct withdrawal.

Tell Quicken about your income, and when you expect it. When payday comes around, Quicken can enter your paycheck in the register automatically. You may need to make a few adjustments to the amounts, but entering at least an estimate of your paycheck is important if you want to use the Projected Balances graph.

This section covers the tools that help you track your personal cash flow. If you purchased Quicken Classic Business & Personal, you also have additional tools that help you track business cash flow.

What's the difference between a bill reminder and a repeating online payment?

A bill reminder and a repeating online payment handle scheduled payments in different ways.

When you set up a bill reminder, Quicken reminds you when it's time to make the payment:

• If it's an online payment, Quicken reminds you to send the instruction (if you have not already sent it).

• If it's a paper check, Quicken reminds you to print or write it.

The online payment service also lets you schedule payments another way. You can send your online payment instructions ahead of time for both single and multiple payments. With this approach you do not need a reminder. Set the delivery date and send the instruction.

The online payment service also has a special type of payment called a repeating online payment. You send one online payment instruction that specifies the payment amount, how often to make the payment, and the number of times to make it. The processor handles the instruction for the number of times you specify and for the appropriate delivery dates. You do not need to send the online payment instruction again. The payments continue until the last payment you specify is made, or until you cancel the repeating online payment instruction.

Many people who use the online payment service set up repeating online payment instructions to pay regular bills that are always the same amount, such as car payments.

Create a bill, income, or transfer reminder

Bill and income reminders make paying your bills easier. When a reminder becomes due, you can choose what happens next. Quicken can alert you, or Quicken can enter a transaction into the register for you automatically. After you finish setting up your bill and income reminders, Quicken can project your spending account balances into the future.

The procedures below cover online bill reminders, manual bill reminders, transfer reminders, and income reminders.

About combined and split tabs: Some procedures below refer to the Bills, Income & Transfers, or combined Bills, Income & Transfers tab. To switch between combined and split tabs, click the gear icon at the top right of the Bills & Income screen, then select or clear Combine Bills, Income & Transfers.

Create an online bill reminder

Use an online bill reminder when you want Quicken to fetch the amount due and due date directly from the biller's site. Enter your login information for the biller, and Quicken contacts the site to keep your reminder current.

1. Click the Bills & Income tab. Make sure you are on the Bills sub-tab, or, if you have combined tabs, on the Bills, Income & Transfers sub-tab.

2. Near the top right of the screen, select the + (Add New Reminder) button, then select Online Bill.

3. Type or select the name of your online biller.

4. Enter the login information for your online account. It may take some time to process the login and sync the account.

   If an error occurs, check your login information and try again. You may want to log in to the biller's website directly to confirm it accepts your information.

5. Click Done when complete. Your bill is now linked, and you will receive reminders when the bill is due.

Create a manual bill reminder

Use a manual bill reminder when you want to enter the bill information yourself rather than connecting to an online biller.

1. Click the Bills & Income tab. Make sure you are on the Bills sub-tab, or, if you have combined tabs, on the Bills, Income & Transfers sub-tab.

2. Near the top right of the screen, select the + (Add New Reminder) button, then select Manual Bill.

3. Select or enter a payee. For an existing payee, start typing the name and select it from the suggestions. To set up a reminder for a new payee, enter the new name.

4. Enter the key billing information:

   • Due next on: The next due date for the bill. Quicken bases its future reminders on this date. Click the (change) link next to the date to adjust the schedule, including how often the bill comes due (such as quarterly or annually) and an end date for reminders if the bill is temporary. See the Date options table below.

   • Amount due: The amount you expect to pay each time the bill comes due. If the amount changes over time, enter your best approximation, or click Optional Settings and adjust the Estimate amount for me setting. See step 6.

   • From account: Choose the bank account you expect the money to be withdrawn from.

5. Click inside the Details panel to enter or change any details (Category, Tag, Memo). The split transaction option is available for Category.

6. Add or edit the Optional Settings for the reminder.

   • Remind me [n] days in advance: Select this option to enter the number of days before the reminder is due that you want to be alerted.

   • Automatically enter the transaction in the register [n] days before the due date: Select this option to have Quicken enter the reminder into your register automatically before the due date.

   • Use only business days for reminder: Select this option to count only business days when Quicken calculates the reminder due date. Quicken disregards holidays and weekends.

   • Related website: Enter a web address (URL) for the biller or financial institution.

   • Estimate amount for me: If your payments vary, Quicken can estimate an amount for the reminder when it is due. Select one of the following:

     • Fixed amount: Turn off the estimate. Quicken uses the same amount for every reminder.

     • Previous payments: Quicken calculates an average amount based on your last n payments.

     • Time of year: Use the same amount as last year. Useful for utility bills or other reminders that have seasonal variations.

     • Credit card balance: Use the balance of the selected credit card as the amount for the reminder.

     When this feature is on, an edit icon appears next to the amount in the reminder dialog. Click the edit icon to make further changes. This feature is not available for invoice reminders.

   • Sync to Outlook: Select this option to add the reminder to your Microsoft Outlook calendar.

   • Print check with Quicken: Select this option if you plan to print the transaction on a paper check.

   • Make this a repeating online payment: Select this option to create a repeating online payment instruction for the reminder.

7. Click Done. Your reminder is added.

Create a transfer reminder

Use a transfer reminder to track recurring transfers between your accounts, such as moving money to a savings goal or paying down a loan.

1. Click the Bills & Income tab.

2. Make sure you are on the Income & Transfers sub-tab, or, if you have combined tabs, on the Bills, Income & Transfers sub-tab.

3. Add the transfer reminder:

   • On the Income & Transfers sub-tab, at the top right, select Add, then Transfer Reminder.

   • On the Bills, Income & Transfers sub-tab, at the top right, select the + (Add New Reminder) button, then Add Transfer Reminder.

4. Enter a short Description of the transfer, such as Vacation Fund Transfer.

5. Click Next.

6. Enter the key transfer information:

   • Due next on: The next due date for the transfer. Quicken bases its future reminders on this date. Click the (change) link next to the date to adjust the schedule, including how often the transfer occurs and an end date for reminders if the transfer schedule is temporary. See the Date options table below.

   • Amount due: The amount you expect to transfer each time. If the amount changes over time, enter your best approximation, or click Optional Settings and adjust the Estimate amount for me setting. See step 8.

   • From account: Choose the bank account the money will be transferred from.

   • To account: Choose the bank account the money will be transferred to.

   Quicken records the transfer in your register when the reminder is processed. You still make the actual transfer at your financial institution.

7. Click inside the Details panel to enter or change any details (Tag, Memo).

8. Add or edit the Optional Settings for the reminder.

   • Remind me [n] days in advance: Select this option to enter the number of days before the reminder is due that you want to be alerted.

   • Automatically enter the transaction in the register [n] days before the due date: Select this option to have Quicken enter the reminder into your register automatically before the due date.

   • Use only business days for reminder: Select this option to count only business days when Quicken calculates the reminder due date. Quicken disregards holidays and weekends.

   • Related website: Enter a web address (URL) for the biller or financial institution.

   • Estimate amount for me: If your transfers vary, Quicken can estimate an amount for the reminder when it is due. Select one of the following:

     • Fixed amount: Turn off the estimate. Quicken uses the same amount for every reminder.

     • Previous payments: Quicken calculates an average amount based on your last n transfers.

     • Time of year: Use the same amount as last year. Useful for transfers that have seasonal variations.

     When this feature is on, an edit icon appears next to the amount in the reminder dialog. Click the edit icon to make further changes. This feature is not available for invoice reminders.

   • Sync to Outlook: Select this option to add the reminder to your Microsoft Outlook calendar.

9. Click Done. Your reminder is added.

Create an income reminder

Use an income reminder to track recurring deposits, such as a paycheck or other regular income.

1. Click the Bills & Income tab.

2. Make sure you are on the Income & Transfers sub-tab, or, if you have combined tabs, on the Bills, Income & Transfers sub-tab.

3. Add the income reminder:

   • On the Income & Transfers sub-tab, at the top right, select Add, then Income Reminder.

   • On the Bills, Income & Transfers sub-tab, at the top right, select the + (Add New Reminder) button, then Add Income Reminder.

4. In the From field, enter the name you want to use for your income source. You can also choose from existing payees.

5. Click Next.

6. Enter the key income information:

   • Due next on: The next due date for the income. Quicken bases its future reminders on this date. Click the (change) link next to the date to adjust the schedule, including how often the income is expected and an end date for reminders if the income schedule is temporary. See the Date options table below.

   • Amount due: The amount you expect to receive each time. If the amount changes over time, enter your best approximation, or click Optional Settings and adjust the Estimate amount for me setting. See step 8.

   • Account: Choose the bank account the income will be deposited into.

7. Click inside the Details panel to enter or change any details (Category, Tag, Memo). The split transaction option is available for Category.

8. Add or edit the Optional Settings for the reminder.

   • Remind me [n] days in advance: Select this option to enter the number of days before the reminder is due that you want to be alerted.

   • Automatically enter the transaction in the register [n] days before the due date: Select this option to have Quicken enter the reminder into your register automatically before the due date.

   • Use only business days for reminder: Select this option to count only business days when Quicken calculates the reminder due date. Quicken disregards holidays and weekends.

   • Related website: Enter a web address (URL) for the payee or financial institution.

   • Estimate amount for me: If your income varies, Quicken can estimate an amount for the reminder when it is due. Select one of the following:

     • Fixed amount: Turn off the estimate. Quicken uses the same amount for every reminder.

     • Previous payments: Quicken calculates an average amount based on your last n payments.

     • Time of year: Use the same amount as last year. Useful for income that has seasonal variations.

     When this feature is on, an edit icon appears next to the amount in the reminder dialog. Click the edit icon to make further changes. This feature is not available for invoice reminders.

   • Sync to Outlook: Select this option to add the reminder to your Microsoft Outlook calendar.

9. Click Done. Your reminder is added.

Date options

You can set many schedule patterns for a reminder. The table below describes each option in the How often dropdown.

Delete manual reminders

Use this procedure to remove a manual bill, income, or transfer reminder you no longer need.

1. Go to Tools menu > Manage Bill & Income Reminders. You can also press Ctrl+J.

2. In the Bill and Income Reminders dialog, select the reminder you want to delete.

3. Click Delete.

4. Click OK to confirm. The reminder is deleted.

Delete online bill reminders

Use this procedure to remove an online bill reminder. Online billers are managed separately from manual reminders.

1. From the Bills sub-tab (or Bills, Income & Transfers sub-tab if you have combined tabs), click the gear icon, then select Manage Online billers. The Manage Online Bills screen appears.

2. In the Actions column, select the down arrow, then choose Remove. The biller no longer appears on the Bills or Bills, Income & Transfers sub-tab.

Turn off reminder suggestions

If you do not want Quicken to suggest reminders based on activity in your accounts, you can turn off the suggestions.

1. Go to Tools menu > Manage Bill & Income Reminders, or press Ctrl+J.

2. In the Bill and Income Reminders dialog, select Options menu > Suggest Reminders.

3. Clear Review my accounts for reminders to suggest.

Skip a reminder

If you want to skip one occurrence of a recurring reminder without deleting the reminder itself, use this procedure.

1. Go to the Bills sub-tab.

2. In the Action column, select the down arrow.

3. Select Skip this one.

The bill reminder advances to the next scheduled payment after the one you skipped.

Bill reminders for investment accounts

Bill reminders work with investment accounts when you sign up and activate the account for Quicken Bill Manager. You can create a bill reminder from your investment account, or set up a repeating online payment series for any of your regular cash transactions.

Use the Bill and Income Reminders dialog to set up recurring dividend and interest transactions for investment accounts. For other recurring investment transactions, such as dollar cost averaging or DRIPs, set up a memorized investment transaction and assign it to the Investment Scheduled Bills & Deposits group.