Checking Account Resources
Checking accounts are the place to keep the money you'll be using soon. If you use a checking account, you can easily buy things without carrying around cash. Whether you have a debit card linked to your checking account or you write paper checks, these accounts come in handy. Read on for ideas on getting the most out of your checking account. We'll even cover opening a checking account.
Reward Checking
Reward checking accounts are accounts that pay especially high interest on cash. You have the ability to use the cash just like regular checking accounts, but there are a few strings attached. You can get a great deal if you use a reward checking account, but you need to be aware of the tradeoffs.
Reward checking accounts are accounts that pay especially high interest on cash. You have the ability to use the cash just like regular checking accounts, but there are a few strings attached. You can get a great deal if you use a reward checking account, but you need to be aware of the tradeoffs.
Interest Checking
Interest checking accounts allow you to earn interest on easily accessible cash. They’re like a mix between checking accounts and savings accounts. Let’s look at the basics of interest checking accounts and some of the major providers.
Interest checking accounts allow you to earn interest on easily accessible cash. They’re like a mix between checking accounts and savings accounts. Let’s look at the basics of interest checking accounts and some of the major providers.
8 Reasons to Stop Writing Checks
Do you really need to write a check? They've come in handy for years, but these days there just aren't many places that you still need to write a check to. Alternatives are safer, easier, greener, and cheaper. Let's see why you should strive to never write a check again.
Do you really need to write a check? They've come in handy for years, but these days there just aren't many places that you still need to write a check to. Alternatives are safer, easier, greener, and cheaper. Let's see why you should strive to never write a check again.
5 Ways to Waste Money in 2008
Most people resolve to save money each year. However, they can do just as well by avoiding big money wasters. It's no surprise that bad banking behavior can cost you a bundle, so we've compiled some of the most important things you can do to stop wasting money
Most people resolve to save money each year. However, they can do just as well by avoiding big money wasters. It's no surprise that bad banking behavior can cost you a bundle, so we've compiled some of the most important things you can do to stop wasting money
Overdraft Line of Credit
An overdraft line of credit is a loan attached to your checking account. Instead of bouncing checks and paying large fees, you can borrow a few bucks and pay interest. When you spend all of the money in your checking account, you start borrowing against your overdraft line of credit. This page covers how overdraft lines of credit work.
An overdraft line of credit is a loan attached to your checking account. Instead of bouncing checks and paying large fees, you can borrow a few bucks and pay interest. When you spend all of the money in your checking account, you start borrowing against your overdraft line of credit. This page covers how overdraft lines of credit work.
Debit vs Credit - Using Debit vs Credit Cards in Everyday Life
When you use plastic, you've got to choose between debit vs credit. Which is best? Like all things in life, the debit vs credit decision involves tradeoffs. This page covers the pros and cons and helps you decide whether you should use debit vs credit in your everyday life.
When you use plastic, you've got to choose between debit vs credit. Which is best? Like all things in life, the debit vs credit decision involves tradeoffs. This page covers the pros and cons and helps you decide whether you should use debit vs credit in your everyday life.
Stolen Debit Card Risk
You are protected if your debit card is used by a thief. However, you have to act fast. Compared to credit cards, stolen debit cards carry a lot of risk. This page covers the basics of stolen debit cards and your liability.
You are protected if your debit card is used by a thief. However, you have to act fast. Compared to credit cards, stolen debit cards carry a lot of risk. This page covers the basics of stolen debit cards and your liability.
POS Fees - Definition - Point of Sale Fees
POS Fees are point-of-sale fees. Banks charge POS fees when…
POS Fees are point-of-sale fees. Banks charge POS fees when…
PIN Number - Definition of PIN Number
PIN stands for personal identification number. You use your PIN...
PIN stands for personal identification number. You use your PIN...
A Visual Example of how to Write a Check
When you first get your checkbook, you may not know how to write a check. It's really easy once you get the hang of it. This visual example shows how to write a check with pictures and descriptions of each step. In addition, you learn how to write a check in a way that reduces the chance of a scammer altering the check.
When you first get your checkbook, you may not know how to write a check. It's really easy once you get the hang of it. This visual example shows how to write a check with pictures and descriptions of each step. In addition, you learn how to write a check in a way that reduces the chance of a scammer altering the check.
Floating Checks
Check float refers to the amount of time it takes for money to leave your checking account. Check float helps to keep some people out of trouble, but it will increasingly cause problems for those who rely on it. Make sure you understand what you’re doing if you’re taking advantage of the float.
Check float refers to the amount of time it takes for money to leave your checking account. Check float helps to keep some people out of trouble, but it will increasingly cause problems for those who rely on it. Make sure you understand what you’re doing if you’re taking advantage of the float.
Check Registers - Definition - Where to Find Free Check 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.
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.
Free Checking - What You Need to Know
Before you sign up for a free checking account, you should understand how free checking works. We'll cover the typical free checking offer and what services should be included. You'll also find out why banks offer free checking.
Before you sign up for a free checking account, you should understand how free checking works. We'll cover the typical free checking offer and what services should be included. You'll also find out why banks offer free checking.
Balance Checking Accounts - Step by Step Guide
It is important to balance checking accounts regularly. You'll reduce the chance of bouncing checks, you'll pay less in fees, and you'll know if somebody is stealing your identity. How do you balance checking accounts? See our simple step-by-step process on balancing the books.
It is important to balance checking accounts regularly. You'll reduce the chance of bouncing checks, you'll pay less in fees, and you'll know if somebody is stealing your identity. How do you balance checking accounts? See our simple step-by-step process on balancing the books.
Pay to Cash – Checks
Pay to cash is a way to write a check without including the recipient's name. A check that says "pay to cash" can be cashed or deposited by anybody. These checks can be convenient, but they are also risky. This page covers the basics of writing and depositing checks payable to the order of cash.
Pay to cash is a way to write a check without including the recipient's name. A check that says "pay to cash" can be cashed or deposited by anybody. These checks can be convenient, but they are also risky. This page covers the basics of writing and depositing checks payable to the order of cash.
NFL Checks - How to Get NFL Personal Checks
Want to support your favorite team of touchdowners and tacklers? NFL checks are one more way to do so. More and more fans ask how they can get their favorite NFL team on personal checks. It’s not easy. This page gives you a few ideas on how you can get NFL checks.
Want to support your favorite team of touchdowners and tacklers? NFL checks are one more way to do so. More and more fans ask how they can get their favorite NFL team on personal checks. It’s not easy. This page gives you a few ideas on how you can get NFL checks.
Debit or Credit?
When you purchase with plastic you’re often asked in if you’d like to make it a debit or credit transaction. What’s the difference? The choice you make determines how your purchase is processed, who pays the bill for that processing, how long it takes, and what your rights are.
When you purchase with plastic you’re often asked in if you’d like to make it a debit or credit transaction. What’s the difference? The choice you make determines how your purchase is processed, who pays the bill for that processing, how long it takes, and what your rights are.
Direct Deposit From Setup to Sit-Back
Direct deposit is a great way to move money electronically. You don't have to mail or sign any checks over to the bank, and your money tends to move more quickly when you use direct deposit. Read on for more information about direct deposit and setting up direct deposit for your accounts.
Direct deposit is a great way to move money electronically. You don't have to mail or sign any checks over to the bank, and your money tends to move more quickly when you use direct deposit. Read on for more information about direct deposit and setting up direct deposit for your accounts.
Before You Print Your Own Checks - What You Need to Print Your Own Checks
Before you print your own checks, make sure you know how to do it correctly. You can save a lot of time and money, but simple mistakes can ruin all of your gains. This page will show you how to successfully print your own checks and avoid hassles.
Before you print your own checks, make sure you know how to do it correctly. You can save a lot of time and money, but simple mistakes can ruin all of your gains. This page will show you how to successfully print your own checks and avoid hassles.
Cashier's Checks - Overview and Discussion - How to Get Cashier's Checks
Cashier’s checks are checks issued by banks. Cashier’s checks are most often used when a payee is not certain that a check will clear, or when rapid settlement is necessary. Here, we’ll cover some of the details on cashier’s checks.
Cashier’s checks are checks issued by banks. Cashier’s checks are most often used when a payee is not certain that a check will clear, or when rapid settlement is necessary. Here, we’ll cover some of the details on cashier’s checks.
How to Order Personal Checks - List of Options on Ordering Personal Checks
When you write checks, you have to refill your bank account as well as your checkbook. What’s the best way to order personal checks after you’ve used your bank-issued checks? This page covers the options available to you.
When you write checks, you have to refill your bank account as well as your checkbook. What’s the best way to order personal checks after you’ve used your bank-issued checks? This page covers the options available to you.
ChexSystems - What Happens if You Write a Bad Check?
Readers often ask what happens if you bounce a check. Will it affect your credit score? The answer is no, but you should still avoid writing rubber checks. ChexSystems tracks and reports people who have had trouble in the past, and some banks will deny you an account if ChexSystems has bad information on you.
Readers often ask what happens if you bounce a check. Will it affect your credit score? The answer is no, but you should still avoid writing rubber checks. ChexSystems tracks and reports people who have had trouble in the past, and some banks will deny you an account if ChexSystems has bad information on you.
Overdraft Protection Plans - Avoiding Fees
We all make mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes involve writing a check for money that isn’t available in our bank account. If you face this risk, you’ll want to know about overdraft protection plans and how to avoid fees.
We all make mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes involve writing a check for money that isn’t available in our bank account. If you face this risk, you’ll want to know about overdraft protection plans and how to avoid fees.
How to Earn Interest With Your Free Checking Account
Free checking accounts are wonderful because you get a lot of features for free. However, you have to give up a very important feature: earnings on your free checking account balance. For those of us who want to earn a little extra, there is a way to earn interest and still have a free checking account.
Free checking accounts are wonderful because you get a lot of features for free. However, you have to give up a very important feature: earnings on your free checking account balance. For those of us who want to earn a little extra, there is a way to earn interest and still have a free checking account.
Debit Cards - The Basics
Debit cards are similar to credit cards, except debit cards pull money out of your checking account. Debit cards do not create or increase a loan like credit cards do.
Debit cards are similar to credit cards, except debit cards pull money out of your checking account. Debit cards do not create or increase a loan like credit cards do.
How to Write a Check Safely
You probably already know how to write a check. The question is: do you know how to write a check safely? By tapping into your checking account, scammers can wreak havoc with your finances. If you know how to write a check using some of the techniques below, you’ll improve your chances against scammers.
You probably already know how to write a check. The question is: do you know how to write a check safely? By tapping into your checking account, scammers can wreak havoc with your finances. If you know how to write a check using some of the techniques below, you’ll improve your chances against scammers.
Checking Account Holds
Does your bank place a hold on your funds? It’s important to know how a hold works, what can cause it, and what your bank’s rules are. Most importantly, you need to know how to keep your bank from freezing your entire account.
Does your bank place a hold on your funds? It’s important to know how a hold works, what can cause it, and what your bank’s rules are. Most importantly, you need to know how to keep your bank from freezing your entire account.
Avoid Overdraft and Bounced Check Fees
This printable brochure, created buy the National Credit Union Administration, offers some useful information on avoiding overdraft fees and bounced check fees. You'll also get some helpful tips on overdraft protection offers.
This printable brochure, created buy the National Credit Union Administration, offers some useful information on avoiding overdraft fees and bounced check fees. You'll also get some helpful tips on overdraft protection offers.
10 Essential Checking Account Terms
In order to get the most out of any checking account, you'll want to know what these terms mean.
In order to get the most out of any checking account, you'll want to know what these terms mean.
Insufficient Funds
Definition of insufficient funds. A situation where your account does not…
Definition of insufficient funds. A situation where your account does not…
Stop Payment
Definition of stop payment. To request that your bank not….
Definition of stop payment. To request that your bank not….
Bounced Check
Definition of bounced checks. Checks that your bank won't pay because…
Definition of bounced checks. Checks that your bank won't pay because…
Definition - Certified Check
A check guaranteed by the bank to be good.
A check guaranteed by the bank to be good.
Definition - ACH (Automated Clearing House)
Automated Clearing House. A network of financial institutions that facilitate electronic transfers.
Automated Clearing House. A network of financial institutions that facilitate electronic transfers.
Definition - Check Cards
Definition of Check Cards
Definition of Check Cards