Do any of you do your check book like me?

[Serena]

My sil and I just finished going over my checkbook and statements to make sure I haven't made any mistakes. She says I'm weird, in a nice way. lol
For example, with my mortgage, instead of waiting until the end of the month, I subtract out 1/4 of it each week, instead of all at once, and then just write a check on the forth week for the whole amount. I do a few of my bills that way. That way, I have the money when I need it and it's not something I have to scrounge for.

She didn't know anyone else that did it like me. Do any of you?

 

[Adrianna]

I'm awful about checking anything, I rarely or pretty much NEVER go over my statements, checkbook, etc. I check on line at least once a week to see what's been happening, but I just don't watch it all that closely. I hate math, I hate numbers, so I pretty much write the checks, they clear, take money out, put money in.....blah blah done

 

[DocRafiki]

Um, no. My budget allows for extra padding so I don't have to worry about not having enough to cover bills, though I do check my balances and upcoming bills daily on my Microsoft Money program.

Actually, Serena, I did make an excel spreadsheet that does something similar, although I subtract my fixed bills at the beginning of the month. For other budget items like food, clothing, household supplies, etc, I can punch in the date and have it tell me what my budget is up to that time. I don't follow it too closely since I don't go shopping all that often, but it gives me an idea if I need to cut back on dining out, etc.

 

[lulubelle]

Am afraid not, sorry. My DH scolds me enough for not always putting the exact cents on checks written. If I were to try your method, I would likely be in divorce court in the near future But, whatever works for you!

 

[believe]

I am similar. As soon as my paycheck hits the excel spreadsheet comes out to divide the check. Every bill gets a portion of each paycheck. I never consider myself as having money because once it is noted on the excel spreadsheet it is spent. The good thing is some bills, ex. gas/electric, come in less and by the end of the year I can then have some extra money to help with those Christmas bills.

 

[Serena]

I started doing this when we made hardly any money at all. It just seemed to be easier for me.

Anybody else?

oops, hi amanda, didn't see you there. lol

 

[Poohbear123]

In hard times I have had to do this same thing, or I write 2 checks to cover the amount, and send them seperately, before the due date. Not odd at all, we do what we have to do.

 

[Wagamama]

i never ever balance my checkbook...

 

[cgcw]

For our mortgage payment, at times, I have written the two separate checks -- but usually out of two separate checking accounts. My problem comes in on the balancing part. No matter how hard I try to keep up on it, it just never seems to balance to the penny. Not long ago, I opened a separate checking account to let the first one settle down. What I found was that I had more money in there than I thought (a lot more money ) but I can't figure out how it got there -- short of missing entering one of my DH's paychecks. Now I'm afraid to spend it or move it elsewhere because I don't know where it can from. Add in the debit card attached to the checking account and I'm doomed when it comes to balancing time.

 

[WDWLVR]

I don't divide up individual bills, but I do have a fund called "vacation fund" that I try and put money into once a month. The money never really leaves the checking account so it also acts as a padding for the account, but once it is in there I don't see it on the register. it is a great way for us to save for a trip and then when the trip bills come in I just "transfer" that money back and use it to pay the bills. I use Microsoft Money so it is easy to keep track of this extra account. It also makes it very easy to balance my checkbook to the penny every month.

 

[elgerber]

Mary, I do this same thing with Quicken. I actually have several accounts set aside for various things. They are still in my checking account, but I just dont' see them. It does leave extra padding in the account. It's also the only way I can save for anything LOL.

Erika

 

[peg2001]

I haven't balanced a checkbook in 9 years. Not surprisingly, this is how long I've been married and sharing the account. We scan the statements for any gross errors but that's it.

Peggy

 

[Rexfan]

I'm with Adrianna and Wagamama on this. I periodically check the acct. on line when I get a feeling it might be running low.

 

[Boots]

When I use a credit card I go ahead and deduct the amount in my checkbook and then when the bill comes in the amount is already out. I put down what I write the check for just don't deduct it again.