Check Registers - Overview - Where to Find Free Check Registers

How Should You Use Checkbook Registers?

A check register is your personal record of your checking account. It’s a good idea to use your check register as a backup system even if you trust the bank. You can use the paper check registers that come with your checks, or you can use an electronic system. Let’s look at how check registers work and how you can get them for free.

Why Use Check Registers?

A check register helps you stay on top of transactions in your account. Banks make mistakes, and you might too. Your check register will help you:

• Identify mistakes
• Catch identity theft
• Avoid bounced checks (and manage overdraft fees)

How Often?

You should use your check register as often as possible. Enter every transaction into it. When you write a check or use your debit card, put the transaction in your check register immediately. At the least, you should save ATM and debit card receipts and enter those transactions in your check register weekly.

• How Debit Cards Work
• How to Write a Check

You should also use your check register every time you get a statement (or monthly). On your statement you’ll find important items that may not be in your check register yet:

• Fees you paid the bank
• Interest payments from the bank
• Automatic/ACH transactions (such as direct deposit of your paycheck)

Where to Get Check Registers

You can make your check register either electronic or paper-based.

I think electronic is best, but you have to have a system for getting transactions into the check register regularly (such as saving receipts and entering them when you get home, or using your PDA or cel phone). A few ways to work electronically include:

• Build a simple check register in Microsoft Excel (easiest if you'll use a PDA, see below for column headers)
• Use pre-built spreadsheets
• Use a complete package such as Quicken

Paper checkbook registers have worked for years, and many want to keep doing it that way. You probably get registers when you order checks, and those work fine. You can also search the web for free printable check register templates, or shop Checks Unlimited:

• Checkbook sized register
• 28 page check register

Print Your Own Check Register

If you’d like to print your own check register so it’s the size and shape you want, just create a document with the following columns across the top:

• A small 'checkbox' field to check off items you’ve verified
• Check number (or category)
• Date
• Description
• Payment/Debit (-) - for payments, fees, and withdrawals
• Deposit/Credit (+) - for deposits, interest, and deposits
• Balance