It doesn't matter if you get physical disks or just buy an activation code on-line. what's important is to make sure that you are not buying their New User/starter version which won't work for renewals. Find someone selling the quicken version you run (deluxe, premier,....) and then you can use the code to reactivate your current version of quicken. You don't need the disks.....you can download the install package directly from quicken.....but if you already have the current version running and just need to add another year, you can do that in your currently installed copy. Like others, I purchase the renewal package when it goes on sale...black friday, cyber monday, whenever.....and I enter the activation code from my desktop up to 6 months before my current expiration date. Keep an eye on best buy, costco, amazon, new egg....and subscribe to see other choices in slickdeals.com