Managing Your Checkbook

Keep Track of Your Checking Records

Getting a checking account feels great. You’re an adult, you have your own money, and you can use it. But you need to think responsible. You need to know how to manage your money so that you don’t overdraft.

You should always know how much money you have in your checking account. You can do this by logging on to your online account, checking your balance at the ATM, or calling a bank representative. Online is the simplest, easiest, and most effective. You can check how much money you have left in your account, and in addition, you can see what charges were made and how much you spent on each of your purchases.

When you write a check, you should always write down how much and what the check was for in your check register. Check registers come with your checkbook. They have neatly organized lines for keeping track of your check use. When you make a debit card purchase, it is a good idea to keep the receipts. This way, when you go online to check your balance, you can verify the charges listed with what you have written down in your check register and on your receipts.

Manually, you take the number that is the balance you have left in your account and you subtract each check amount and purchase to get your new balance. Make sure to keep in mind interest and to also calculate deposits so you get the correct amount in your checking account.