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Who Writes Checks Anymore?
Jan. 2nd, 2021 11:30 amYesterday 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 But still, it seems so outdated!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. 😨) 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. 😨) 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.
