Do any of you not have checks at all?

[kork13]

I've got checks, but rarely use them. I used to write a check every month to pay tithing to my church, but about a year ago they rolled out an online method for doing it... My checkbook has been lonely ever since.

I'll periodically write a check for one purpose or another, but rarely more than once a month, typically more like once every 3-6 months... if that. In fact, I've tried to offer to write a check to some folks (buying things via Craigslist/Facebook/etc.), and it's a 50/50 shot if they accept that or insist on cash.

My preferred method for giving money to...anyone...is to use my bank's money transfer capabilities. I can send money to anyone, for free, in whatever amount I require, within about a minute from my smartphone. All I need is their name & phone number or email address, and they can get the money sent directly to their account. WAY easier than cash, check, or just about any other method imaginable.

[cooliemae]

I haven't had a physical checkbook for almost 10 years. On the rare occasion I need to send a check, ING Direct and now Capital One provide the free service of sending a check. I've probably used that service 3 in the 10 years I've been with them.

[Like2Plan]

We have checks.

We write just a few every year, so we probably have a life time supply with our last order.

[bigdaddybus]

My dentist always has issues with their credit card machine. Its pretty easy, They put the additional work on themselves to mail me a bill and I pay it with my online bill pay.
Is it really my fault they are technically challenged?
I don't think so, and thankfully my dentist dislikes their crappy setup and is always apologetic for inconveniencing their customers.

I am curious what people feel the need to keep a checkbook for? Online bill pay meets all my needs with the inefficiency of checks/stamps to buy/keep track of. Checks haven't provided any value to me in over 20 years so I don't carry them. My wife has a checkbook, she might write a check or two a month.

[disneysteve]

I am curious what people feel the need to keep a checkbook for?

As a few people have mentioned, kids' activities often require checks as payment. There are a number of bills that we could pay with credit but they charge a fee to do so. Any sort of government stuff needs checks, like taxes, passport renewal, auto registration, etc. My daughter had to have something notarized the other day and only checks were accepted as payment. There are lots of things that still use checks as the primary (or sole) form of payment.

[disneysteve]

On the rare occasion I need to send a check, ING Direct and now Capital One provide the free service of sending a check. I've probably used that service 3 in the 10 years I've been with them.

How do you handle things where you need to submit the check with your paperwork, like renewing auto registration, for example?

[msomnipotent]

I need them for school costs like the PTO and what-not. I paid in cash before and they lost my money twice, so no more. I also use them for the DMV.

[james.hendrickson]

A lot of small business still accept checks. For example, I paid a contractor $1,400 to do some deck safety work on my 4th-floor apartment. I paid the guy via check.

[MonkeyMama]

I looked it up and the only other thing I had used a check for in the last few years was to renew my professional license. I had also mentioned passport fees. So in five year, that's only two fees that I * had to* submit with an application and who would not accept any other type of payment whatsoever.

Thankfully, most our local governments are more with the times and have accepted online payments for many years.

[disneysteve]

A lot of small business still accept checks. For example, I paid a contractor $1,400 to do some deck safety work on my 4th-floor apartment. I paid the guy via check.

Yep. The guy who did our furnace, AC, and hot water heater took checks. I think cash would have been the only other option but I wasn't handing him $4,000 cash.

My daughter bought a used car last year. That was done by check. I suppose we could have done some sort of electronic transfer but a check was far easier.

[StormRichards]

How do you handle things where you need to submit the check with your paperwork, like renewing auto registration, for example?

Your state doesn't have online registration renewal?

[StormRichards]

Yep. The guy who did our furnace, AC, and hot water heater took checks. I think cash would have been the only other option but I wasn't handing him $4,000 cash.

I do like having a cancelled check when dealing with contractors, but we have paid cash on a few occasions where a cash discount was offered. Counted out $8,000 for a contractor then had him sign the contract as paid in full.

[disneysteve]

Your state doesn't have online registration renewal?

I think it can be done online with a credit card but I believe there's a fee for that. I'm honestly not sure if there is a no-fee way to do it other than a check.

[disneysteve]

I do like having a cancelled check when dealing with contractors, but we have paid cash on a few occasions where a cash discount was offered. Counted out $8,000 for a contractor then had him sign the contract as paid in full.

I'm not opposed to paying cash but that means I need to physically go to a bank and make that withdrawal. Far easier to just grab a check and hand it to him.

[StormRichards]

I think it can be done online with a credit card but I believe there's a fee for that. I'm honestly not sure if there is a no-fee way to do it other than a check.

My DH typically takes care of this and I know he does it online and would never pay a fee. So either he can do it via credit card or an electronic transfer from our checking. Pretty sure they take Visa without a fee though.