Who Is Still Writing Checks

[tulak]

It's funny. Some people are bothered by Zelle because it's directly through your bank account while others are bothered by Venmo because there's a middleman involved. At least both options exist so there's a choice for everyone.

I use Zelle because it was offered by my credit union and luckily, other people have it too. I’d sign-up for Venmo if there was a need, but I prefer to keep fewer accounts.

To protect myself, I use a checking account that never has much money in it for Zelle and debits. I’ve never had an issue, but if the account was compromised it wouldn’t be a big deal.

 

[jazz4cash]

The problem with Zelle is the structure. It does not transfer from bank to bank, it transfers from email to email, where each email is associated with a bank and account.

How is that? I pay my barber but I only have his phone nbr. Is his zelle account linking the phone and email? I also used zelle to transfer to a family member and it goes directly to their bank account.

 

[MichaelB]

How is that? I pay my barber but I only have his phone nbr. Is his zelle account linking the phone and email? I also used zelle to transfer to a family member and it goes directly to their bank account.

You’re right, it’s phone number or email. A transfer does go into the bank account because you link it, but this transfer does not enjoy the same protections as a straight bank to bank transfer.

 

[Gonz]

I stopped writing personal checks 20 or more years ago.
Didn't know it was still a thing.

 

[bluelight]

I write a check every month to my lawn guy. Also write a check to the guy who turns my sprinklers on and off. Also write checks for any home repairs and my twice yearly property taxes.

 

[rk911]

Mine too... I print everything, except my signature.

Let's see, giving myself the benefit of the doubt,

Cursive writing = D-
Block printing = C
Grammar = F
Spelling = F
Vocabulary = D
Speaking = B+ (if it's Texan speak)

nearly all of the checks we write are printed using Quicken. every now and then my wife will hand-write a check.

 

[rk911]

For those who don't balance their accounts, what's your process for checking that all transactions processed correctly and that no unknown transactions have occurred? I know I'm doing it the "old fashioned" way but I'm not sure what would be easier than that.

I reconcile and balance all of our accounts every month. 5-accounts in 3-banks; 3-credit cards; 10-investment accounts. I enjoy doing that.

All of our pension & SS payments are direct deposited in our primary checking account and although I check the balance our monthly income is always more than our monthly outflow so very, very little chance of being overdrawn.

 

[rk911]

The last hold outs now have ACH pay options, so snail mail payments are no more!

one of our insurance companies only accepts paper checks for the annual premium.

 

[jazz4cash]

Mine too... I print everything, except my signature.

Cursive writing = D-
Block printing = C

Forgot about these reasons that I avoid handwriting checks. Used to have very nice penmanship and crisp block printing skills. Now I can barely read my own writing and it takes me so long it’s embarrassing.

 

[Car-Guy]

^^^^
My DW had an aunt who was very accomplished in calligraphy, even when she was in her 80's. Beautiful handwriting but it took her 10 minutes to write a check... But it was a work of art when she was done.

 

[jazz4cash]

one of our insurance companies only accepts paper checks for the annual premium.

That is pretty amazing in these times. I have a couple that won’t take credit cards but they all take a debit card or will debit the account directly.

 

[disneysteve]

A transfer does go into the bank account because you link it, but this transfer does not enjoy the same protections as a straight bank to bank transfer.

Correct and that’s why you should only use Zelle with people you know and trust. It’s not a good payment for that Facebook Marketplace purchase from some stranger. But to reimburse your friend for your share of dinner when you go out together it’s great.

 

[jazz4cash]

Correct and that’s why you should only use Zelle with people you know and trust. It’s not a good payment for that Facebook Marketplace purchase from some stranger. But to reimburse your friend for your share of dinner when you go out together it’s great.

I’m still not sure about this so I will be cautious. The problems I am aware of relate to sending money to the wrong person or responding to an odd request for funds. I’m not aware of any hack to expose the sender’s account or alter the payment amount.

 

[ArmchairMillionaire]

The referenced article was in our local paper today and concerns how payment methods have changed over the years.

https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?artguid=f249cc26-28f5-4c4f-aba7-6c6a456207e8&appcode=DUPAGE&eguid=0a15ddfa-bc9b-4e58-a34d-ed707e6b2156&pnum=72#

The water bill, every two months, as my local community doesn't do online payments and is only open a few days a week while I'm still at w*rk.

Also the local dump. They don't take credit cards. Cash or check only.

 

[jazz4cash]

Thinking about this topic made me realize I have 3 checking accounts that I’ve never used for a paper check. One is a core account required to buy a CD. Another gets me 1/2% higher interest on savings and CDs. The third is used extensively for online banking and billpay. A 4th checking account is my main account that I write a handful of checks on.

 

[disneysteve]

I’m still not sure about this so I will be cautious. The problems I am aware of relate to sending money to the wrong person or responding to an odd request for funds.

Exactly, which is why I said to only use Zelle with people you know and trust. No chance of sending to the wrong person or getting an odd request when you're only dealing with people you know.

 

[Car-Guy]

Thinking about this topic made me realize I have 3 checking accounts that I’ve never used for a paper check. One is a core account required to buy a CD. Another gets me 1/2% higher interest on savings and CDs. The third is used extensively for online banking and billpay. A 4th checking account is my main account that I write a handful of checks on.

Same here. I have a checking account at Schwab and I don't think I've written a paper check against that account in almost two years. I know the check book I have is at least ten years old, maybe even 15.

 

[frank]

I write probably 8 checks a month. taxes, insurance, income from cd/s and anything else that is more convenient to pay that way. the reason I use checking to collect from cd/s is some of the credit unions and banks allow only a certain amount on ach, so one check a month each and done.

 

[badatmath]

I have noticed I am one of the rare persons forking over money to get my hair cut. (I normally make sure I have cash). I asked and they said most people pay with venmo. I felt they were unhappy with cash but eh too bad.

 

[Koolau]

I stopped writing personal checks 20 or more years ago.
Didn't know it was still a thing.

Oh, yeah. It is. We have many accounts we pay be check. We don't buy "stuff" by check (we mostly use CC) but most bills are paid by check. YMMV

 

[TXBev]

Some doctors do not give you the ability to pay online. I pay my taxes quarterly and they always get a check. Postage has gotten so expensive that we get less junk mail now, that is one blessing. My free credit cards give me $ back. Usually get restaurant gift cards with them. I do birthday checks and then they wait months to cash them. Zelle is good. There are so many different ways to pay things these days and so many new fraud ways
.

 

[zippy2020]

Service folks still prefer checks from regular customers, saves credit card fees. For us it's the monthly gardening service and our acupuncturist. All our regular bills are paid electronically, and our contractor uses QuickBooks payment.

 

[Nightcap]

I’ve a doctor who doesn’t accept credit cards, so I scribble a check for him every visit. My church’s payment service charges ridiculous fees to process even ACH payments, so I write them a check (I pay my pledge in one lump sum per year). And I pay my community chorale dues by check. Otherwise, it’s all ACH and credit card payments. Ten years into this checking account, I’m still on my first order of checks.

 

[aja8888]

I have noticed I am one of the rare persons forking over money to get my hair cut. (I normally make sure I have cash). I asked and they said most people pay with venmo. I felt they were unhappy with cash but eh too bad.

My barber (Henry) of 35 years takes cash and local checks. I give him cash. He doesn't take credit cards.

 

[jazz4cash]

I have noticed I am one of the rare persons forking over money to get my hair cut. (I normally make sure I have cash). I asked and they said most people pay with venmo. I felt they were unhappy with cash but eh too bad.

I asked my barber directly and he prefers applepay or zelle.