I'm starting my preparations for being in business for myself. To that end, I've transferred funds to where they need to go, I've set up business checking accounts, and gotten a business credit card. So far, so good.

But then, I tried to get Quicken Home and Business. Small problem: Quicken Home and Business is only on the Windows platform. Seven choices if I've got a PC or want to run Windows on my Mac (it's possible), but if I want to have business accounts on my Mac, I have to buy the full-on QuickBooks Pro 2007 for Mac. The PC item is $64 at Costco. The Mac program is $200. Luckily, there is a 60-day money-back guarantee.

I'm not discouraged yet, but I'm glad I have 60 days for the disgruntlement to settle in.

Tonight I ran into issue #2: My bank, WaMu, will only allow downloading of transactions to QuickBooks from business accounts. This means that I can't download my personal checking and savings information. The customer service person cheerfully suggested that I simply open another business checking account (I just set up two of them two days ago) and transfer my personal funds there. Well, that's nice and all, but I have a ton of automatic payment accounts connected to that debit card, and I don't especially want to try to remember all of the folks I'd have to notify if I changed the accounts.

Ugh.

So, my first step in all this appears to be to use one business account for business spending, and one for personal spending. The bank is fine with this. It breaks no laws. It just gets my panties in a bunch. Right up the crack, too.

Breathe, I tell myself. You knew there would be a learning curve. These things take time. And I have it.

Still, ugh.