Monday, November 17, 2008

Do you balance your checkbook?

And I mean in the old-school balance your checkbook sort of way. With a calculator. And your checkbook registry. And your bank statement that gets mailed to you. Assuming you have a bank statement that is mailed to you. I guess I'm also assuming that you actually still write checks.

In the world of on-line banking and Quicken and "insert-your-finance-program-here", who needs a calculator and checkbook registry? Heck, who even needs checks anymore? Seriously. When was the last time you wrote a check and then PROMPTLY wrote in down in your checkbook registry?

I don't even recall the last time I balanced my "checkbook". I log in to my on-line bank account nearly every day. I always know how much money I have (or don't have) within $15.00. Why the $15.00? Because my dh has an ATM card that he feels the need to perform a"check balance" with every other day to the tune of $1.00 per inquiry. I never know about them until I check on-line. Those charges are usually followed up with an ATM withdrawal AND a fee for the withdrawal. So once I add up all the stupid little fees from ATM charges, it usually ends up at about $15.00 that I didn't know about until I logged in.

And for the record, the last check I wrote was for a county water bill that DOESN'T have a bill-pay system on line anywhere and that also DOESN'T take credit card payments. How archaic. California American Water really needs to step it up.

I wonder if in the future I will think of checks like I currently think of 8-track tape players. I know about them. I used to use them. I liked them at the time but something better has replaced it.

7 comments:

  1. No - that is what Quicken is for!!! I still write checks to school/PTO stuff, but everything else is paid online.

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  2. I haven't in yeaaaars. I know when things come out and I make sure there's enough in. If I'm out and want to use my debit card I send a text to my bank and they send my balances back in seconds so I know I'm covered. I love that option.

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  3. Well that makes two archaic water departments. I have to drop a check off at a location in my neighborhood.

    And no, I don't balance my checkbook. :(

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  4. I do not balance my bank accounts. I will not give my dh a debitcard he asks but I tell him they will only give me one LOL. He would do exactly what Troy does but he would probably overdraw the bank account LOL

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  5. @Patti...I didn't allow Troy one for years. But he behaves pretty well now. lol!
    @Becky...Ooh! Texting the bank! Wonder if I can do that. I usually call the 800 number.
    @Lesle...is yours the American Water Company of Austin?
    @Deanna...is that a nervous laugh?
    @Mona...Quicken rocks. So I hear. lol!

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  6. A checkbook contains sequentially numbered checks that account holders can use as a bill of exchange. The checks are usually preprinted with the account holder's name, address and other identifying information. In addition, each check will also include the bank's routing number, the account number and the check number. Click here to learn more

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