How Can You Track Your Checks?

Whether you make most financial transactions with your debit card and are paid by direct deposit, or you prefer to write checks occasionally, it's important to record your bank transactions. This can help you budget more effectively, detect problems and avoid overdrafts.

The best way to Track Your Checks is to use a checking register and write down your account balance as soon as you write a check. This gives you a running tally of your debits and credits, as well as the total amount in your account.

In addition, you can compare the numbers you've written in your check register with those you see on a bank statement or online at any time. If they don't match, it's time to retrace your steps and make adjustments as necessary.

You may also want to monitor your check balance by phone or email, especially if you have a smartphone or tablet. Some banks have apps that can notify you when your account is out of balance.

If your third stimulus check is going out in the mail, the US Postal Service has a free app that can track letters to inform you when they're arriving. The app will also send you emails when a letter in your name is delivered and if it's a stimulus payment.

If you have trouble balancing your checks, it's worth keeping a paper check register for the occasional unbalanced transaction. This will give you a record of your financial transactions and help you spot possible problems, such as missed automatic payments or incorrectly assessed fees.