Excel is actually quite easy to learn, at least for what you're wanting to do with it...budgets, expense tracking, etc. Just open it and start plunking away. I'm sure you know lots of people who have at least a little know how that would be willing to help if you're still unsure. There's also a ton of online help, starting with the very most basic "how to build a simple spreadsheet" kinds of lessons. Just Google Excel Help. You'll be running compound interest amortization schedules in no time :-)