The last time you balanced your checkbook?

[2moretrees]

When was the last time you balanced yur checkbook? I have been really terrible this past month and have let it go for 3 weeks or so. I know that I'm okay with the amount in it and not in danger of overdrawing it, but that is not a good excuse. It is at the top of m list of things to do. Do you find you get behind in keeping your checkbook updated?

[Tree0164]

Re: The last time you balanced your checkbook?

I don't have a check book. I may write one to two checks a month.

All of my billpaying is done on line and I either cash or debit card.

[PrincessPerky]

Re: The last time you balanced your checkbook?

ugh I do it once a month and I HATE it!

[kashi]

Re: The last time you balanced your checkbook?

I balance it every time I pay a bill or use my debit card. If I don't, I get behind, and it's easier to do it right away then wait for too long and lose all my receipts. now if only I could apply that sort of consistency to doing my dishes....

[terry1156]

Re: The last time you balanced your checkbook?

I do it right when I write the check, but I don't write that many. I do most of my banking online and have all bills that I can taken directly out of my account. I find this set up much easier. I write three or four checks a month at most so it isn't much effort to do it right then.

[PennyPincher]

Re: The last time you balanced your checkbook?

This morning. The hardest thing for me has been recording all the transactions and automatic withdrawals I have. It was easier when I just wrote out checks in some ways. Now instead of using the check register the bank gave me, I created my own spreadsheet to keep in my daily planner. It's easier because it's with everything I use, it's larger-sized, and I'm consistent ~ the key. I have an electronic copy that calculates the balances for me to double-check. Right now I'm anal, balancing it everyday. But...up until the past month, it had been a LONG time since I balanced ~ maybe 5 months! I always knew there was enough, but still ~ that is terrible...

[PrincessPerky]

Re: The last time you balanced your checkbook?

I balance it every time I pay a bill or use my debit card. If I don't, I get behind, and it's easier to do it right away then wait for too long and lose all my receipts. now if only I could apply that sort of consistency to doing my dishes....

I'll take dishes over checkbooks anyday!

Now a question when you say balance the checkbook do you mean with what the bank thinks is in it with the statement or just subtract and add? I try to do the subtracting and adding as I go, but I slack off alot. The statement that comes always proves I lost a reciept or something. Sometimes I miss the days of cash, but then I find myself in need of going to the bank for weeks on end and remember why we don't have cash.

[kashi]

Re: The last time you balanced your checkbook?

I write the transactions into my checkbook and subtract/add every time I have a transaction. I check my transactions and balances against those that show up on my online bank records, but probably only once or twice a month.

[jhd815]

Re: The last time you balanced your checkbook?

Balancing your checkbook may not be any fun, but with the new "Check 21" laws that are now in effect, you could wind up paying overdraft fees and more if you don't keep track of your checkbook balance.

I write down any new transactions usually the same day, then when I get my monthly statement, I balance my checkbook right away. This way if I find any discrepancy, I can contact my bank and correct anything before it gets out of hand or creates more problems.

I've actually come to enjoy balancing my checkbook just to see if I agree with the bank statement.

[amomof4]

Re: The last time you balanced your checkbook?

I balance as soon as the statement arrives.