Checkbook registers.

[Breezy_Carol]

I still use a register and record all debits and it must balance to the penny each month. I get new empty registers from the bank.

DD and DS never balance anything and just watch online.

DH set up our savings online to reconcile but something happened and it was all screwed up and we had to start over from a date and go forward, which is why I prefer paper.

 

[disneychrista]

I keep track of everything in an Excel spreadsheet. I have one book per year, one tab per month. Enter everything in that months sheet and carry forward the ending balance to the next month and continue. I have been doing this for several years.

 

[tvguy]

I don't keep a check book register because I monitor all my transactions online. I log in every day and check my account to make sure that what I am suppose to have in there is what I have in there. If you keep up with it online, as you go, there is no need to balance a check book. Check book registers are kind of old school with online banking in full force now.

I must be missing something. I do use online to monitor things, but you still have to balance it every month. I write every check, deposit and debit in the register, then transfer everything into Microsoft Money when I balance the account once a month. I had to admit, I am using a very old version of Microsoft Money, I kept my old Windows 98 computer for that. I downloaded the new version for Vista and don't care for it. It wants to log into my bank to update things automatically, but I don't want that much access to my account left on my computer. I like the stand alone checkbook software.

 

[golfgal]

I must be missing something. I do use online to monitor things, but you still have to balance it every month. I write every check, deposit and debit in the register, then transfer everything into Microsoft Money when I balance the account once a month. I had to admit, I am using a very old version of Microsoft Money, I kept my old Windows 98 computer for that. I downloaded the new version for Vista and don't care for it. It wants to log into my bank to update things automatically, but I don't want that much access to my account left on my computer. I like the stand alone checkbook software.

Your aren't missing anything, just tracking online really only works if you use your debit card for everything or most everything since the charges hit instantaneously. The one check I had out this month cleared on Friday so I know exactly what my balance is right now because everything is there since we use our debit card almost exclusively.

I used to use Quicken to track our checking account before we started using a debit account. Like what you are finding, I didn't like the updated version so I stopped using it. I keep saying I will put everything into my Quickbooks but just haven't, some day. The problem I found with downloading from the bank-and maybe this has changed in the past 4 or 5 years is that it would download into the register just like it shows online so if it starts with some bank code, 385y2oi94 Target, for example, it wouldn't go into my "Target" category and would want to code it by the number-which isn't always the same. It was MORE work to download from the bank then it was to manually update.

 

[tvguy]

Your aren't missing anything, just tracking online really only works if you use your debit card for everything or most everything since the charges hit instantaneously. The one check I had out this month cleared on Friday so I know exactly what my balance is right now because everything is there since we use our debit card almost exclusively.

I used to use Quicken to track our checking account before we started using a debit account. Like what you are finding, I didn't like the updated version so I stopped using it. I keep saying I will put everything into my Quickbooks but just haven't, some day. The problem I found with downloading from the bank-and maybe this has changed in the past 4 or 5 years is that it would download into the register just like it shows online so if it starts with some bank code, 385y2oi94 Target, for example, it wouldn't go into my "Target" category and would want to code it by the number-which isn't always the same. It was MORE work to download from the bank then it was to manually update.

About the only checks I write are to the water district, and the trash company because they have no online payment options. (both are run by the county). And Schwans, but I think I can pre-pay with a debit card, or at least a credit card, but don't want to do that because they so frequently don't have an item on the truck, I don't know what my total bill is until they arrive.

 

[golfgal]

About the only checks I write are to the water district, and the trash company because they have no online payment options. (both are run by the county). And Schwans, but I think I can pre-pay with a debit card, or at least a credit card, but don't want to do that because they so frequently don't have an item on the truck, I don't know what my total bill is until they arrive.

Ask your Schwan's guy if he can scan a debit/credit card--our's can. He has a little machine that works with their handhelds . Being an "old" Schwan's user, I never think to pre-order because I have been in the habit of just getting stuff off the truck when they come.

 

[scrapquitler]

We've always been able to get check registers free from the bank. We just ask for one.

I've had that issue a lot with deposit slips, as well. Never are enough with the checks.

Just go into the branch and ask for a few check registers, and they will be happy to provide them.

 

[RadioNate]

Quicken? You can't balance it in MS Money? I have a Mac so I've never used it. I'd give you my registers but I tossed them. If I write a check I usually make note of it on the checkbook then add it to Quicken when I download the debit card transactions (usually weekly) and balance.

 

[cornflake]

Ok, call me dense but I don't understand, so I'm asking...

When you say 'but you still have to balance it' what do you mean? I mean I look, I see every transaction is legitimate - what do I need to balance? I feel like I'm missing something or am supposed to do something but I don't get it?

 

[Michelle67]

I monitor everything online, but I still like my physical check registers for my debit card transactions and electronic bill payments. A spreadsheet program is cool, but then I'd be hosed when my computer crashes...which has happened to me three times in the past four years. I like having things on a computer, but I like my physical records as well.

I get extra registers from the bank for free and with a friendly smile from the teller too.

 

[nancycg56]

I monitor everything online AND I keep a check register ~ old fashioned or not, it works for me. My DH makes my registers for me ~ I think he set it up through Excel somehow and just prints the pages and makes a cover from old file folders

 

[kellyg403]

My dh still does the check register and balances it from the statement every month. He does not like to do it on the computer. We each have a personal account and then a common account we deposit into for bills and groceries. DH still takes care of that account because he is darn good at keeping it balanced. I have to take the whole checkbook with me to the store and write in the debit, otherwise I forget. And then I forget to look online because technically, he does all the balancing. I am terrible at it. I do know that he just goes to the bank and gets the registers for free.

Sometimes though, I just give him the registers from my account. I always balance it online and keep track of the debits that way. I haven't written a check from that account in several years. I don't even know if I have any checks from the account!


Kelly

 

[ajk912]

I've been buying registers on ebay pretty cheap, but thanks for the tip to ask at the bank. It can't hurt!

 

[fairestoneofall]

yep! i'm with those who get them free at the bank for my business account. i also track things online because i will occasionally miss writing something down. it helps me to stay on top of things.

DH does not keep a register for our personal account. it drives me nuts, but he's the one who tracks that account, so i don't worry about it.

 

[NikitaZee]

I monitor everything online AND I keep a check register ~ old fashioned or not, it works for me.

Us too. I have to write it all down, and balance it, or something may get missed. We use Bank of America, and often charges made on Friday-Sunday don't hit until Tuesday morning, and they all come in with the same date on them. Now and then my DH forgets to record a charge. So, with online banking I find them easily. Gas - charge comes in as $1, until a day or two later when the full amount hits. Having it in my check register is really handy then.

 

[elizke]

I really have gottne out of the habit of using registers and balancing. When you use that debit card for pretty much every single thing it's like a full time job writing it all in!

But when I was recording and balancing, I hated the little check registers so much I found a free online check register page to download. I still use them for checks. You can hole punch and use them in a notebook binder if you wish.

 

[Iluvthemouse]

our bank/credit union has them laying out in the lobby..maybe ask the bank


I havent used a register in probaly 10 years.. do everything online and have a running total in my head. LOL

 

[disneychrista]

When you say 'but you still have to balance it' what do you mean? I mean I look, I see every transaction is legitimate - what do I need to balance? I feel like I'm missing something or am supposed to do something but I don't get it?

Check out the following: Balancing Your Checkbook.

 

[MichelleVW]

Ok, call me dense but I don't understand, so I'm asking...

When you say 'but you still have to balance it' what do you mean? I mean I look, I see every transaction is legitimate - what do I need to balance? I feel like I'm missing something or am supposed to do something but I don't get it?

I'm confused too. I log onto my bank account at least twice a day and see what's going on and exactly how much I have in there. I know what bills are coming out when and if I do write a check it's mentally subtracted in my head before I see it online. The only surprises are if DH uses his debit card, but if he does that he usually tells me right afterward.

What needs to be balanced?

 

[cornflake]

Check out the following: Balancing Your Checkbook.

Thanks for the link!

After reading it though, I still don't get it. Basically it seems like just verifying the transactions are legit and in the correct amounts. If I'm looking online and they are - then why does someone still need to balance it?