Managing Your Money with a Checking Account Information taken from financeintheclassroom.org and the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Managing Your Money with a Checking Account

Check Writing Checks include the following information:

Check Writing DATE: Include the month, day and year you are writing the check.

Check Writing PAYEE: Write the name of the person or business on the line, “Pay to the order of.”

Check Writing AMOUNT IN NUMBERS: Write the amount of the check in numbers.

Check Writing AMOUNT IN WORDS: Write the amount of the check in words.

Check Writing SIGNATURE: Sign all checks the way you sign the signature card.

Check Writing MEMO: Use the memo area to note the reason for the check.

Check Writing ROUTING NUMBERS: The nine-digit string of numbers used to identify your bank to process the transaction

Check Writing ACCOUNT NUMBER: The number used to identify your unique account within the bank.

Check Writing CHECK NUMBER: The number used to identify a specific check within the sequence of the register. It usually includes 3 or 4 digits.

Learning About Checking Accounts Having a checking account is a good idea. Your money will be safe and you’ll have a record of what you’ve paid for. You’ll know how much you have left to use or save. Rules to using a checking account: Only write checks when you have enough money in your account Write checks legibly. Write everything as far to the left as possible.

Dishonest people can change things. Because… OUCH!! 10/10/2014 147.15 Smiths Sam Smiths 9 Nine Thousand One hundred forty-seven and 15/100 ----------------------------- Dishonest people can change things. If your last name was Smith or “Smiths” you could put your first name in front and cash the check for yourself.

Learning About Checking Accounts Having a checking account is a good idea. Your money will be safe and you’ll have a record of what you’ve paid for. You’ll know how much you have left to use or save. Rules to using a checking account: Only write checks when you have enough money in your account Write checks legibly. Write the amount as far to the left as possible. Always use a pen Don’t sign a blank check. Print the right date on checks. Keep checks in a safe place. Destroy voided or unused checks. Record every transaction in the register Keep a running balance in the register.

Line 1 – Date the check on the SAME day you write it Line 1 – Date the check on the SAME day you write it. It’s not a good idea to date checks ahead. If you date it into the future, a bank may cash it anyway and then it will bounce.

Line 2 – Next to “Pay to the Order of” write the name of the person or place that’s getting the check. Draw a line all the way to the end of the line.

Line 3 – In dollars and cents, write the amount of the check.

Line 4 – Spell out the amount of the check in words Line 4 – Spell out the amount of the check in words. Draw a line all the way to the end of the line.

Line 5 – Sign your name the same way you signed the signature card at the bank. Before you sign, check for errors. If you find any, void the check and start a new one. Some banks will not except a check with crossed out information.

Line 6 – On the line that says “for”, you can write what the check was for. Filling in this line is not required and is only for your information.

Line 1 – Write the check number in this column Line 1 – Write the check number in this column. If it is not a check, you can write things like “deposit” or “ATM” for a cash withdrawal, or “Debit” for a debit card transaction

Line 2 – Enter the date in this column.

Line 3 – For checks or withdrawals: Write who the check was to on the top line and what it was for on the second line. For Deposits, write the word “deposit” on the first line and where it came from on the second.

Line 4 – For any transaction that is coming out of the account (withdrawal) write the amount here. This can be a check amount, debit card amount, or ATM cash withdrawal amount.

Line 5 – Enter any fees you may have in this section Line 5 – Enter any fees you may have in this section. Fees can be for using an ATM machine, an overdraft (bounced check), or regular monthly fee. Note: Some check registers DO NOT have a fee column. If it does not, just write the fee title in column 3.

Line 6 – Put a check mark next to items listed on your bank statement Line 6 – Put a check mark next to items listed on your bank statement. This will be shown to you later.

Line 7 – Put any deposit amounts here.

Line 8 – The last column is for keeping track of the balance Line 8 – The last column is for keeping track of the balance. Remember there are two lines for each transacation. Write the transaction amount on the first line. Write the new balance on the second line. You will need to add in deposts and subtract out checks, atm withdrawals, fees, and debit card amounts. $56.10 -35.18 $20.92

Line 8 – For deposits, write the deposit amount on the first line. Write the new balance on the second line $20.92 +155.10 $176.02

Remember to fill out your register with every transaction you make! I just bought groceries at Smiths for $147.15. Here is how you fill out the check 1000 10/ 10 Smiths 147 15 10/10/2014 597 85 $147.15 Smiths One hundred forty-seven and 15/100 ----------------------------- groceries John Doe Remember to fill out your register with every transaction you make!

George W. Doe How to Cash a Check BLANK ENDORSEMENT: Sign your name the same way it is written on the front of the check. George W. Doe

How to Cash a Check Pay to the order of William J. Doe SPECIAL ENDORSEMENT: Do this when you want to give someone else the money. Write “pay to the order of” and that person’s name. Then sign it. Now that person is the only one that can cash the check. Pay to the order of William J. Doe George W. Doe

How to Cash a Check For Deposit Only George W. Doe RESTRICTIVE: When you want your check to be very safe, like when you send it by mail to your bank, use this type of endorsement (“For Deposit Only”). Then , it can only be deposited into your account. For Deposit Only George W. Doe