How often do you balance your checkbook?

[NMAmy]

Never. I used to balance my checkbook when I was single and poorer but I have not balanced a checkbook in years.

Same here.

 

[Nie0214]

Daily. I have an Excel spreadsheet and check my online banking balance each morning and update the prior days transactions that have posted. I like to know exactly how much $$ I have down to the penny!

Same. I think my spreadsheet speculates two months from now too.

 

[mrsv98]

Almost never. We have online banking and I check it multiple times per week. I am the primary check writer, can't remember last time DH wrote a check and bill payer so I know the money coming in and going out. We do get statements and I check to make sure they coincide with the online statement.

 

[novajeanjellybean]

I never actually go through a process to "balance" my checkbook. I do check my balance on all accounts online - daily. I keep in mind all checks I've written. I kind of "balance" in my head. I love that bank info is available online

Same here.

 

[aprilgail2]

Never. I used to balance my checkbook when I was single and poorer but I have not balanced a checkbook in years.

same here- I haven't done it in about 23 years!

 

[DawnCt1]

Two or three times a week. I do it on the phone. Check off the cancelled checks as they come in. Most bills I pay on line so I check to see if they went through or not.

 

[Aristomommy]

I write only 2 or 3 checks every two weeks: DS's preschool, DDs dance and school fundraisers. Those are easy enough to keep track of without balancing a checkbook. I do rest of my banking online and I check it every 2 days or so to make sure there are not surprises.

 

[brockash]

Before on-line banking/bill pay ect. I used to do it about once a week, but I haven't even had a check book in years. -I have checks, but not the transaction part. We pay almost everything on-line, and I check our bank stuff every few days, but that's it.

 

[ORMom2Four]

Does anyone else use Quicken? It's awesome!!! We have used it since 1998 or '99.

I get updates and balance it a few times a week.

 

[ksjayhawks]

I rarely write a check--all bills are auto pay and I pay the 3 credit cards I use online as well. I put all expenses on my RCCL credit card to earn points for cruising. I check online once a week to check what has been posted.

I used to balance every month until I started online.

 

[taylor1293]

Every few months. I just keep a running balance in my head.

I really need to better with it, it's all online, it's not like it's difficult for me to see or do! I'm just being lazy.

 

[wendylady36]

Never. I don't make a lot and I don't spend a lot. I follow my expenses online so I really don't find a need to balance my checkbook.

 

[Claire L]

Never use a check book for the joint account, most payments out of the joint account are direct debit and for most food/house expenses I use the credit card and pay off in full when the bill comes in.

Claire

 

[JVL1018]

Daily. I have an Excel spreadsheet and check my online banking balance each morning and update the prior days transactions that have posted. I like to know exactly how much $$ I have down to the penny!

Honey, is that you?? LOL
I just asked my husband how often he balanced, and he said "Every day. I have an Excel spreadsheet and go online every morning.."

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Daily.
To the penny.

(I work for a bank.)

 

[mumom95]

I never actually go through a process to "balance" my checkbook. I do check my balance on all accounts online - daily. I keep in mind all checks I've written. I kind of "balance" in my head. I love that bank info is available online

This is exactly what I do. I don't write down a thing, but everyday I check my account online to make sure there hasn't been anything taken out that shouldn't have and to see what has gone through.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

And now the banker is me is gonna come out... LOL. If you don't ever balance your checkbook, how would you know if there was a mistake??

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

And now the banker is me is gonna come out... LOL. If you don't ever balance your checkbook, how would you know if there was a mistake??

I got my degree in accounting and worked for a bank for 20 years..I can't stand to think it is out of balance, and I use the phone system to balance my account every two weeks. I should really see about doing it online.

I have never found a bank mistake, but I have certainly found a few of my own!

 

[MariDisney]

I voted never. I keep a general idea in my head of what the balance should be. If it's more than about $200 or so off, I look at it to see if I can figure out why. I hate doing it, even with something like MicroSoft Money. SO, I don't.

 

[WDWBarb]

Does anyone else use Quicken? It's awesome!!! We have used it since 1998 or '99.

I get updates and balance it a few times a week.

I Quicken! I went SEVEN YEARS without balancing my checkbook before I started using Quicken. It has helped me SO much get a handle on my finances! Not only do I know what $$ I have now, I also know how much I'm going to have every month for the next year. It really made a difference - that $68 software has saved me thousand and thousands of dollars.

And my answer is that I balance daily - I download from my accounts into Quicken every night and just reconcile.