
Statements, whether sent via mail or email, typically include instructions on making a payment. Let’s say you need to send a payment to your electric company.
#BALANCE CHECKBOOK EXAMPLE HOW TO#
Even with the rise in mobile and online banking-and peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps like Venmo and Paypal-it’s important to know how to balance your checkbook to stay on top of your financial transactions. One way to keep track of the checks you write is to record them in the paper check register that comes with a standard order of checks. Adding your signature is your way of agreeing that you are paying the payee the listed amount. A check is not valid without the proper signature. You’ll do this on the line in the bottom right corner of the check. When paying taxes, utilities and vendors, you might want to use this section for writing your account number or Social Security number. While using the memo section isn’t always necessary, it’s good practice to include notes in case you need to track down a payment later. So, if you write a check for $243.26, you will write it out as “Two hundred forty-three dollars and 26/100.” Writing out the correct amount is essential because the words win out legally if there are inconsistencies between the two amounts. Below the “Pay to the Order of” line, write out the check amount in words. Make sure you write the amount as close to the left-hand border as possible to prevent someone from committing fraud by writing additional digits to the left (for example, changing 100.00 to 2,100.00). Write the amount for the check in the box on the right-hand side of the check. Write the name of the person, company or organization you want to pay on the line that says “Pay to the Order of.” If you’re unsure of the person or organization’s exact name, find out to ensure it’s written correctly. This helps the person receiving the check know when it was written. In the upper right-hand corner, enter the date the check is written (most likely today’s date).
