Do you still write checks?

[ramanth]

Well, don't fret ... wait a few days and
you'll usually discover that the balance has taken a noticeable shift
in the Other Direction!

Don't I know it! I'm guilty of that.

Lately I have a buffer of $10 in the account so when monthly account fees get taken out, I don't overdraw the account.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Lately I have a buffer of $10 in the account so when monthly account fees
get taken out, I don't overdraw the account.

Good Luck with the slush fund ...

I used to try to "hide" an extra $100 in my checking account ...
to "cover" the lil "Ooopsies" - forgot to write in & subtract out the $70.00 toy I bought;
and "DARNs" - when I'd make the $20 subtraction errors;
and "Oh, CRAPs!" when I'd discover I entered the SAME paycheck deposit TWICE!

But what's with the "Monthly Account Fees"?

You need to find a bank that lets you store you money for FREE!

[ramanth]

Good Luck with the slush fund ...
But what's with the "Monthly Account Fees"?

You need to find a bank that lets you store you money for FREE!

I bank with the local credit union. It's something like $2 or $3 so it's not that bad.

As a teen working a part time job through high school I had an account at a large chain bank. One day they merged with someone else, became National City, and I was told that if I didn't have AT LEAST $300 in my savings account at all times then I'd get charged a WEEKLY fine. I didn't even make $300 a week and had car payments to pay and gosh forbid I actually want to spend my hard earned money.

Closed the account and I've been with Credit Unions ever since.

[Rachel]

But what's with the "Monthly Account Fees"?

You need to find a bank that lets you store you money for FREE!

I'm with Phred on this one, but then I'm in an area that has a bank on practically every corner so have a lot to choose from. Still with a little research I would think you could locate a bank that works well for your particular needs as far as mimimum balances. That $2 - $3 is better spent on ice cream.

[kitten645]

I write two checks a month. One to my hairdresser and one for my rent because neither of them are set up to be paid online!
I have to admit that when I'm standing in line to pay for something..groceries etc...and someone whips out a check in front of me I groan silently to myself since it slows down the line
As far as someone paying me with a check it also drives me crazy cause I have to make a special trip to the bank and *REMEMBER* to deposit it. I've had a check sit in my wallet for a couple of weeks because I forget about it...which I also know is a PAIN to the writer as it holds up reconsiliation of their account
I also like using a debit card for the same reason..I spend what I have and that's that...no waiting for the check to clear or spending time chasing an incorrectly written entry!
I will not pay for things via PayPal with the additional fee's. I know merchants pay a percentage to Visa/mastercard etc and that those fee's are worked into the price of the goods or services but it irks me to pay a "fee". Just feels like being charged to use a fork at a restaurant!! Same reason I don't shop much online unless the savings are significant since delivery charges are often as much as the item itself. Again I know merchants that offer "free" delivery are working the delivery fee into the price of the goods (after all the Fed Ex guy has to make a living too!) but I'd rather take myself down to Target to get what I need than order it online...not to mention the instant gratification aspect
Like everything else, different strokes for different folks! Whatever floats your boat!