We dragged each to the nearby desktop Recycle Bin. Premier 2006 dumped five new icons onto our desktop, including pitches for NetBank, Experian, and the Quicken Credit Card and Bill Pay services. We do have one setup gripe: Quicken continues to use the Windows Desktop as its personal billboard. If you're a Microsoft Money user-an excellent finance manager in its own right-there aren't enough compelling reasons to make the switch. However, Quicken 2004 and earlier stalwarts should consider upgrading, but check first to see if your financial institution will charge you for using the new OFX file format for online banking if so, you might want to stay with an earlier QIF-enabled Quicken instead. Overall though, there isn't enough new stuff here for us to recommend an upgrade from Quicken 2005. The overhauled Reports Center is much easier to navigate, and version 2006's ability to attach check and receipt images to Quicken transactions is great for tracking tax records and eliminating paper clutter. We like Quicken's new minireports, which make it easier to quickly study your spending mishaps in specific categories, such as dining out. Such is the case with Quicken Premier 2006, an excellent program that, aside from a few nips and tucks, isn't a big step up from its predecessor. When your product is already that good, it's hard to think up nifty new features each year. Pity the makers of Quicken, the best personal finance package on the planet.

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