Do you still write checks?

[lvpets2002]

Yes I still write checks.. I as well like the paper trail.. I also pay for some things on line..

[ramanth]

I still write checks or pay cash for just about everything. The only thing I pay for online are the two credit card bills.

Andy uses his debit card or cash.

I do a pretty cruddy job of keeping the checkbook balanced though. *laughs* I have .46 cents extra in my checking account and I have no clue where it came from.

[k9krazee]

My mom still uses checks to pay bills and stuff.

I use cash or my debit card to pay for everything.

[pitc9]

I pay about 95% of my things on line. I only write about 3 or 4 checks a month.

[Cinder & Smoke]

I have 46 cents extra in my checking account
and I have no clue where it came from.

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!

[Lobodeb]

I don't remember the last time I wrote a check. Heck, there are few places that accept them anymore. And now, I just signed up to do this pay by touch thing, that's liked to my bank card, so I don't even have to use that anymore!

[Rachel]

For several years now I have banked on line and in one fell swoop can pay all our monthly bills. I do have a separate checking account for bigger bills - insurance payments, real estate taxes, estimated federal taxes and those I write out, but now that I think of it, that account (at a different bank) also has on line banking and I could take advantage of it.

For me it's a no-brainer to save .39 postage (and it's going to be going up too). I'm really surprised at the number of people who authorize payments to be withdrawn from their accounts. I'm too much of a control freak for that, and I could see problems in resolving discrepancies in what is owed, for example in a credit card account. Then too you have to remember to enter those amounts in your payment record.

It's only been recently that I started to use a debit card. Surprisingly I love it and wonder why I resisted.

One thing when using on-line banking one has to be aware of a change of address for the payee. When you pay by check the new address will be on the payment stub, but when you pay on line, you have to change the address of your payee. The companies never seem to bring a *change of address* to your attention and I have run into situations where they didn't get the bank check until after the due date (forwarding time I guess).

Come on, Pam, join the crowd. You'll love on line bill pay. Staci, take a fresh start and find yourself a nice bank with low minimum balance and on line bill pay. You are a bright young woman...you can do this.

[Suki Wingy]

occasionally but I got a debit card so I use that a lot more often.

[finn's mom]

I don't write checks. They are the slowest form of payment at our store, and I can't stand to write them out. Up until recently, I paid bills with checks, though.

[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!