i am guilty of still using the 20th century method of payment! i pay my rent and credit card balance with a check. but writing 2 checks a month is a far cry from the amount i used to write even 5 years ago, so times have definitely changed. what has not, is my refusal to fill out the memo line. if you don't know why i am giving you my money, then give it back to me!
I use at least one check per pay period, to tithe to my local church. I also used to use checks to pay my rent, because a new company took over the complex and they didn't have a way to pay online for several months. I also use them whenever I borrow cash, because I hate having any sort of debt hanging over my head.
And I always write them old style :) "One hundred and no/100 dollars ---------------"
To those who "despise" people who use checks in line at a store - I agree if the person doesn't have the check completely filled out except for the total by the time they get to the front of the line. I always pull my debit card out before I get to the front to speed up the process, and there's plenty of time for you to fill out the store name and sign your name before we get there.
Yes, I write many checks every week, because I own a company, and companies pay mostly with checks, untill I go to the bank and affiliate the account to the internet...
Ever since we started using Debit cards for all of our everyday purchases I have found two things. First I always feel poor. I never see any money in my wallet and when I open it there is this gaping maw of emptiness. Second, it seems as if I spend more freely when all I have to do is whip out a piece of plastic.
We recently have gone back to carrying cash and writing checks for most purchases. It feels so good to see those green bills hanging out in my wallet that I want to keep them there as special little friends. I also have to make sure that I don't overspend when I am buying groceries so that I can cover my bill. This may seem like work but I do find myself making less impulsive buys when I am shopping. The checkbook also helps a lot because when I have to write a check because I am out of cash or refuse to use the debit card that $4.00 Latte just does not look worth it.
Taking the time to write a check helps me to make sure the purchase is what I really want. Using debit cards has me spending money much faster than I intend. In order to be a better money manager I intend to continue increasing my use of checks and cash and save my debit card for paying my utility bills on line.
I write at least 18 checks a month, which is just for music lessons for my two kids and me. Most of my other transactions are by online bill-pay or debit card. I tend to write a check for the mortgage too - since my checking account pays interest, that lets me keep the money in our account for just a little bit longer (the account is debited as soon as I make an online payment).
I live in a smallish city and checks are still very popular here, especially amongst the older folks in front of me at the grocery store, but a lot of other people use them too. Funnily enough, if you check the court docket in the newspaper, most of the charges are for fraudulent checks.
The only way we can pay our mortgage and water bill is by check or cash, so we're still writing checks for those every month.
I write less than a dozen checks a month. I pay all my monthly bills on line--no stamps, no fuss! I do write a check for my mortgage, but that is it!
I don't even carry my checkbook in my purse. It stays in the kitchen drawer. On the off change, I have to write a check to someone and I'm not prepared to do so, I'm scrambling! I'm such a debt card--swipe and go gal!
Yes, rent, church, school stuff (lunch account and field trips) and Karate. Everything else is paid online or over the phone. But the only time I HATE checks is when the person in line in front of me is using one. Who DOES that anymore!!??
I definitely still write checks...mostly for places that dont accept debit cards. For example, children selling food for a fundraiser for their school, an occassional dinner at church on Wednesday, deposits for mission trips, etc.
I only write two checks a month these days. One for my rent and one for my propane bill. Everything else is paid through my bank's Bill Pay program or through the bills online page. It's definitely faster and so much cheaper than buying checks every two months. I love the convenience factor too!
Sure, I still write checks. I don't stand there for 5 minutes meticulously writing out a check at the grocery store or drugstore but I pay my rent using checks (no way was I going to give my sleazy landlord my credit card bill or set up "autopay"). I do use online bill pay for utilities but I'll still use the random check to pay Company XX for some one-time handy service.
I use cash for face-to-face transactions and pay my bills electronically, but I still use checks for kid-related payments. I have 4 kids, and there is always someone who needs money to pay for a field trip, or a book from the book fair, or a yearbook, or SOMETHING. It's much safer to just send a check with them instead of entrusting a wad of cash to the little dears.
I pay just about everyone online, including the Avon lady. The only time I write a check is to pay my hairdresser as she prefers this over a bank card which would make her pay a fee. It is so easy to set up to pay online and saves stamps.
I still write checks on occassion, but it's mostly because I don't carry cash. So if the church is taking a one-time donation for something or I buy something from a kid selling door to door, it's a check. Sometimes I have to pay a doctor co-pay before I leave the office or they send a bill and I go ahead and write checks then. I also write checks if I owe a friend for something. I could probably convert 100% to credit card, but I'd have to be willing to carry cash. I don't feel particularly compelled to at this point. I'd guess I write less than 25 checks a year.
I wish!! I always ask if they take credit cards first. Checks usually take stamps as well, so that adds some to your cost (not much, but who knows how long that will last! Maybe that should be another blog--postage woes.) Checks are handy if you need to pay another person, if they will take one, or to send money through the mail for someone, but I really think that their use will continue to decline. Can we eliminate them entirely? I don't think so, at least not for a while yet. Checks will be with us, with diminishing use, but with us still.
Guess I'm a fuddy duddy. Online purchases and gas, are on credit cards. Everything else is either check or cash. We find it keeps us more accountable and on budget.
Yes I still write checks. Granted I do not write alot of checks, but there are certain bills that I pay and certain charities that I donate to by writing a check. I fill out the entire check and keep the amount and date recorded in the check register. I even (gasp) reconcile my bank statement monthy... why? We are to be good stewards of the money and gifts that God has blessed us with. How can I practice stewardship if I do not what I am spending if I just swipe a card and then forget it? By writing out a donation by hand I am conciously thinking about the donation and the people that it will benefit.
For most of my bills I pay electronically. I use checks for my house payment. school activities, sam's club (they only accept certain cards), and for maintenance around the house.
Yes, checks have been becoming obselete and fading away. I have written a check in the last two years. There are different ways of paying for your debts, so that the payment is paid for almost instatenously.
I write checks for my children to take to school for lunch and other fees. I also write a check for the water bill. And I do internet bank checks also.
Alas, I still use checks to pay rent. I also use checks to deposit money from one account to another at a different branch. You would think these days there would be more convenient ways to do this!
i am guilty of still using the 20th century method of payment! i pay my rent and credit card balance with a check. but writing 2 checks a month is a far cry from the amount i used to write even 5 years ago, so times have definitely changed. what has not, is my refusal to fill out the memo line. if you don't know why i am giving you my money, then give it back to me!
You forgot the most important one!
A DIY Credit Card Deterrent System:
http://tweetphoto.com/10991154
I write 1 or 2 checks per month. I bought checks 5 years ago and haven't needed anymore.
I use at least one check per pay period, to tithe to my local church. I also used to use checks to pay my rent, because a new company took over the complex and they didn't have a way to pay online for several months. I also use them whenever I borrow cash, because I hate having any sort of debt hanging over my head.
And I always write them old style :) "One hundred and no/100 dollars ---------------"
To those who "despise" people who use checks in line at a store - I agree if the person doesn't have the check completely filled out except for the total by the time they get to the front of the line. I always pull my debit card out before I get to the front to speed up the process, and there's plenty of time for you to fill out the store name and sign your name before we get there.
Yes, I write many checks every week, because I own a company, and companies pay mostly with checks, untill I go to the bank and affiliate the account to the internet...
Ever since we started using Debit cards for all of our everyday purchases I have found two things. First I always feel poor. I never see any money in my wallet and when I open it there is this gaping maw of emptiness. Second, it seems as if I spend more freely when all I have to do is whip out a piece of plastic.
We recently have gone back to carrying cash and writing checks for most purchases. It feels so good to see those green bills hanging out in my wallet that I want to keep them there as special little friends. I also have to make sure that I don't overspend when I am buying groceries so that I can cover my bill. This may seem like work but I do find myself making less impulsive buys when I am shopping. The checkbook also helps a lot because when I have to write a check because I am out of cash or refuse to use the debit card that $4.00 Latte just does not look worth it.
Taking the time to write a check helps me to make sure the purchase is what I really want. Using debit cards has me spending money much faster than I intend. In order to be a better money manager I intend to continue increasing my use of checks and cash and save my debit card for paying my utility bills on line.
I write at least 18 checks a month, which is just for music lessons for my two kids and me. Most of my other transactions are by online bill-pay or debit card. I tend to write a check for the mortgage too - since my checking account pays interest, that lets me keep the money in our account for just a little bit longer (the account is debited as soon as I make an online payment).
I live in a smallish city and checks are still very popular here, especially amongst the older folks in front of me at the grocery store, but a lot of other people use them too. Funnily enough, if you check the court docket in the newspaper, most of the charges are for fraudulent checks.
The only way we can pay our mortgage and water bill is by check or cash, so we're still writing checks for those every month.
I write less than a dozen checks a month. I pay all my monthly bills on line--no stamps, no fuss! I do write a check for my mortgage, but that is it!
I don't even carry my checkbook in my purse. It stays in the kitchen drawer. On the off change, I have to write a check to someone and I'm not prepared to do so, I'm scrambling! I'm such a debt card--swipe and go gal!
Yes, rent, church, school stuff (lunch account and field trips) and Karate. Everything else is paid online or over the phone. But the only time I HATE checks is when the person in line in front of me is using one. Who DOES that anymore!!??
I definitely still write checks...mostly for places that dont accept debit cards. For example, children selling food for a fundraiser for their school, an occassional dinner at church on Wednesday, deposits for mission trips, etc.
I only write two checks a month these days. One for my rent and one for my propane bill. Everything else is paid through my bank's Bill Pay program or through the bills online page. It's definitely faster and so much cheaper than buying checks every two months. I love the convenience factor too!
Sure, I still write checks. I don't stand there for 5 minutes meticulously writing out a check at the grocery store or drugstore but I pay my rent using checks (no way was I going to give my sleazy landlord my credit card bill or set up "autopay"). I do use online bill pay for utilities but I'll still use the random check to pay Company XX for some one-time handy service.
I use cash for face-to-face transactions and pay my bills electronically, but I still use checks for kid-related payments. I have 4 kids, and there is always someone who needs money to pay for a field trip, or a book from the book fair, or a yearbook, or SOMETHING. It's much safer to just send a check with them instead of entrusting a wad of cash to the little dears.
I pay just about everyone online, including the Avon lady. The only time I write a check is to pay my hairdresser as she prefers this over a bank card which would make her pay a fee. It is so easy to set up to pay online and saves stamps.
I still write checks on occassion, but it's mostly because I don't carry cash. So if the church is taking a one-time donation for something or I buy something from a kid selling door to door, it's a check. Sometimes I have to pay a doctor co-pay before I leave the office or they send a bill and I go ahead and write checks then. I also write checks if I owe a friend for something. I could probably convert 100% to credit card, but I'd have to be willing to carry cash. I don't feel particularly compelled to at this point. I'd guess I write less than 25 checks a year.
I don't even have checks. Debit, cash, and bill-pay through my bank.
I wish!! I always ask if they take credit cards first. Checks usually take stamps as well, so that adds some to your cost (not much, but who knows how long that will last! Maybe that should be another blog--postage woes.) Checks are handy if you need to pay another person, if they will take one, or to send money through the mail for someone, but I really think that their use will continue to decline. Can we eliminate them entirely? I don't think so, at least not for a while yet. Checks will be with us, with diminishing use, but with us still.
Guess I'm a fuddy duddy. Online purchases and gas, are on credit cards. Everything else is either check or cash. We find it keeps us more accountable and on budget.
Yes I still write checks. Granted I do not write alot of checks, but there are certain bills that I pay and certain charities that I donate to by writing a check. I fill out the entire check and keep the amount and date recorded in the check register. I even (gasp) reconcile my bank statement monthy... why? We are to be good stewards of the money and gifts that God has blessed us with. How can I practice stewardship if I do not what I am spending if I just swipe a card and then forget it? By writing out a donation by hand I am conciously thinking about the donation and the people that it will benefit.
For most of my bills I pay electronically. I use checks for my house payment. school activities, sam's club (they only accept certain cards), and for maintenance around the house.
I pay property taxes with a check, yep, that's it. Everything else is done electronically
Yes, checks have been becoming obselete and fading away. I have written a check in the last two years. There are different ways of paying for your debts, so that the payment is paid for almost instatenously.
I write checks for my children to take to school for lunch and other fees. I also write a check for the water bill. And I do internet bank checks also.
Alas, I still use checks to pay rent. I also use checks to deposit money from one account to another at a different branch. You would think these days there would be more convenient ways to do this!