Linked Transactions/downloads

I am new to MS Money 2004. Can someone please explain something to
me...

I have setup my accounts and have several with a particular bank:
'MyBank'. MyBank allows me to download my transactions from my credit,
checking, and savings accounts. When I import all the transactions,
many of them are actually associated (i.e. credit card payments from
[MyBank: Checking] to [MyBank: Credit card A]).

What I do understand (I think) from reading other posts, the FAQ, etc.
is that expenses should be categorized in the credit card account and
the credit card payments should be "Transferred" from the checking
account to the credit card account.

What I don't understand is when I go to the payment transaction in my
checking account and mark it as a "Credit Card Payment" or "Transfer",
it creates a duplicate transaction in the other (credit card) account
and offsets my balance. What I would like to know is:

1. Is there a way to "Link" transactions that already exist in both
accounts b/c they were downloaded without creating the duplicate?

2. If this is not possible, what is the best way to handle this? Not
accept the downloaded transaction in the credit card account? Delete
it if it has already be accepted?

3. Is it possible to retain different dates for the transaction?
Meaning, the downloaded transaction in the checking account shows the
date the payment was made from that account whereas the payment to the
credit card account shows when it posted TO that account.

Sorry for the long post and if I am missing something obvious...any
help is greatly appreciated.

Scott

via_newsgroup
Fri Dec 31 13:48:21 CST 2004

In microsoft.public.money, imscoop22@hotmail.com wrote:

>I am new to MS Money 2004. Can someone please explain something to
>me...
>
>I have setup my accounts and have several with a particular bank:
>'MyBank'. MyBank allows me to download my transactions from my credit,
>checking, and savings accounts. When I import all the transactions,
>many of them are actually associated (i.e. credit card payments from
>[MyBank: Checking] to [MyBank: Credit card A]).
>
>What I do understand (I think) from reading other posts, the FAQ, etc.
>is that expenses should be categorized in the credit card account and
>the credit card payments should be "Transferred" from the checking
>account to the credit card account.
>
>What I don't understand is when I go to the payment transaction in my
>checking account and mark it as a "Credit Card Payment" or "Transfer",
>it creates a duplicate transaction in the other (credit card) account
>and offsets my balance. What I would like to know is:
>
>1. Is there a way to "Link" transactions that already exist in both
>accounts b/c they were downloaded without creating the duplicate?

You can convert one to Transfer and delete the other. In the future
change the first transaction that you handle to Transfer, and watch
for Money to match that transfer when you process the second one. If
Money does not notice it on its own, you will need to help it along.


>
>2. If this is not possible, what is the best way to handle this? Not
>accept the downloaded transaction in the credit card account? Delete
>it if it has already be accepted?

Yes, delete it if it has already be accepted.

>
>3. Is it possible to retain different dates for the transaction?
>Meaning, the downloaded transaction in the checking account shows the
>date the payment was made from that account whereas the payment to the
>credit card account shows when it posted TO that account.

If that is important to you then do not use the SPECIAL Transfer
category. You can use an EXPENSE category for *both* ends. Expect a
warning about using an expense category for a deposit, but it will
work out. It will be treated as a negative expense and should net
out on reports, tho the report may have to be customized in some
cases.

I did a thing where I would change each to a third account I called
"In Transit". However the above method is simpler.

>
>Sorry for the long post and if I am missing something obvious...any
>help is greatly appreciated.

Nicely written.