Who Writes Checks Anymore?
Jan. 2nd, 2021 11:30 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
canyonwalkerYesterday I reminisced about my checking account records from 1993 and other old things I uncovered when I sorted through the drawers in my desk. It wasn't just old stuff I looked at, though. In the same mix was my most recent checking account ledger, going from 4½ years until the day before yesterday. I swapped it out on 12/31 because the book was almost full and EOY is a good time to close out an old ledger and start a fresh one.
Yes, I still keep my checking account ledger manually, on paper. Curiously, though, I do that only for my primary checking account. I manage at least 10 other accounts for savings and investment all digitally. But still, it seems so outdated!
Speaking of dated, even the name "checking account" sounds dated. Who writes checks anymore? The idea of writing a check conjures images of an old lady at the grocery store holding up the whole line at checkout fumbling for her checkbook, a pen, and ID... after she digs through her overstuffed purse to present all her long-expired 25¢ off coupons.
Who writes checks anymore? That was an argument I made in a thread elsenet two years ago about Costco's check-printing service. "Who write checks anymore?" I wrote. "In quantities big enough to care about saving a cent or two each? Does Costco also sell value-packs of buggy whips?"
While I held my account ledger in hand I was curious how many checks I still write anymore. I know it's a rarity. Even though I keep a paper ledger for that one account almost all of the entries are for online transactions to pay bills and transfer money between accounts. It's a change with the times, similar to how I declared "RIP, ATM" several years ago.
2 per year: that's my answer. The ledger showed I've written a total of nine checks from my checking account in the past 4½ years.
So, what do I write checks for? That's the next question. Curiously most of those checks— 7 out of 9— have been to my wife. She says it's easier to take a check and physically deposit it at an ATM than configure or manage her account to accept electronic transactions from me. (Seems like maybe there's a trust gap there. đŸ˜¨) Of the other two checks, one was a property tax bill (even the county tax office takes online payment now, which is what I usually use) and one was to a young relative's music instructor, as they were asking for donations to help pay for students' lessons. Everything else, literally thousands of other transactions in the past 4½ years, I've either paid on a credit card, moved via electronic funds transfer, or used one of various online payment tools for.
Yes, I still keep my checking account ledger manually, on paper. Curiously, though, I do that only for my primary checking account. I manage at least 10 other accounts for savings and investment all digitally. But still, it seems so outdated!
Speaking of dated, even the name "checking account" sounds dated. Who writes checks anymore? The idea of writing a check conjures images of an old lady at the grocery store holding up the whole line at checkout fumbling for her checkbook, a pen, and ID... after she digs through her overstuffed purse to present all her long-expired 25¢ off coupons.
Who writes checks anymore? That was an argument I made in a thread elsenet two years ago about Costco's check-printing service. "Who write checks anymore?" I wrote. "In quantities big enough to care about saving a cent or two each? Does Costco also sell value-packs of buggy whips?"
While I held my account ledger in hand I was curious how many checks I still write anymore. I know it's a rarity. Even though I keep a paper ledger for that one account almost all of the entries are for online transactions to pay bills and transfer money between accounts. It's a change with the times, similar to how I declared "RIP, ATM" several years ago.
2 per year: that's my answer. The ledger showed I've written a total of nine checks from my checking account in the past 4½ years.
So, what do I write checks for? That's the next question. Curiously most of those checks— 7 out of 9— have been to my wife. She says it's easier to take a check and physically deposit it at an ATM than configure or manage her account to accept electronic transactions from me. (Seems like maybe there's a trust gap there. đŸ˜¨) Of the other two checks, one was a property tax bill (even the county tax office takes online payment now, which is what I usually use) and one was to a young relative's music instructor, as they were asking for donations to help pay for students' lessons. Everything else, literally thousands of other transactions in the past 4½ years, I've either paid on a credit card, moved via electronic funds transfer, or used one of various online payment tools for.
no subject
Date: 2021-01-02 09:32 pm (UTC)When we downgraded our account about a decade ago, the cashier said that she'd put through a request for free checks on all of our accounts before she downgraded it. I got 1,000 checks out of that, split between two accounts. We still have a good portion of them.
no subject
Date: 2021-01-03 12:03 am (UTC)I also use checks to pay any of my contractors for repair services.
no subject
Date: 2021-01-03 04:39 am (UTC)1) Checks because they're easier for both you and your tenant. Hey, if it works for you, great. I've heard from friends who own rental property around here, though, that most tenants consider electronic payment way easier and expect it.
2) Checks for tracking purposes. Tracking for my own records is easy because I've always entered transactions promptly. I used to prefer writing checks for proof... the cashed check being evidence in case of a dispute or mistake. I gave up on that years ago as disputes were so rare. Since then I have had a few disputes over EFTs and I've found that evidence being electronic vs. paper is totally a non-issue. The only challenges have been a) getting to the right person to talk to, and b) waiting out the bank's/payer's policies, like "We need 30 days to investigate before we'll credit that."
3) Checks for small businesses. I get that checks are still preferred by many small business operators. CC fees are often given as a big objection. While CC fees are absolutely real I wonder how many businesses consider the costs of working with checks. There's paperwork entailed, trips to the bank, costs of bounced checks, etc. I suspect that because checks are traditional way business has been done for decades people don't think about the overhead. I'm curious what it looks like when you really do the math on both.
no subject
Date: 2021-01-03 06:05 pm (UTC)Though we did use a money order (which is not a check) when we sold our old house in Värnamo, back in 2012.
no subject
Date: 2021-01-05 07:50 pm (UTC)