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Balance Checking Accounts - Step by Step Guide

By , About.com Guide

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Remember the Reason and the Goals
It is important to balance checking accounts regularly. Doing so will help you:
  • Identify mistakes that you or the bank made
  • Catch identity theft
  • Avoid bounced checks (and manage overdraft fees)
If you bounce checks, be sure to balance checking accounts just before you pay your bills.

The goals of balancing checking accounts are:

  • Make sure you know how much money you have
  • Make sure the bank has not lost money or overcharged you
  • Match your records with the bank's records
  • Catch mistakes before it's too late!

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