Quick Question re Personal Finances

[Marshal Jim Duncan]

Really regarding financial transactions --- I realize I am pretty old fashioned, but I pay almost all my bills by old fashioned check through the U.S. Mail. Now, I never write a check at grocery store or any other place of business outside the tag agent, except for the increasingly rare place that prefers checks over credit cards.

But I am just wondering -- are there any of younger (or even more seasoned) fellas who do not even have checks for your bank account(s)?

 

[SquinkY5786]

I don’t often use checks. But have them.

 

[cableok]

I would fall into the more seasoned fellas. Rarely do I use a check. Try to do as much payment by credit card. And if not that just online via my bank web site.

 

[PokeMBA]

I am 28 and don't use personal checks at all. I had a car payment I use to have to pay by check but that was at out a small credit union and I paid that off in 2013.

There was one other time I needed one so I went and got a temporary one for free from a branch.

 

[poke2001]

I have checks but rarely use them (I’m 40). We do write a check to the lady who cleans our house (I do even less cash than checks). And we write some occasionally to the kids’ school for stuff. That’s about it.

 

[100TonsofOrangeFury]

I have checks but rarely use them (I’m 40). We do write a check to the lady who cleans our house (I do even less cash than checks). And we write some occasionally to the kids’ school for stuff. That’s about it.

Same, although with the maturation of personal payment apps like Zelle and others, even this stuff may go away. Getting rid of checks completely seems like a stretch though.

 

[Cowpoke]

42, only checks I write is to my parents and little brother who I can't get to use gwallet or paypal.

 

[trapped_in_tx]

Have them but only use them 1-3 times per month, all by my wife who is four years younger than me. I'm 42.

I'll keep them around for a while but honestly I will use electronic or cc payments for most things which I can and cash for things up to $300 when I can't go electronic. I just rarely have a need for checks.

 

[Marshal Jim Duncan]

I use credit card for every possible purchase. I do EFT pay for the credit card but have it on manual pay. I only write checks for mortgage and utilities and the occasional trip to the tag agent. I know I could automate but I like the old ways at least for some transactions.

I actually have a reasonably substantial account at one financial institution for which I have no checks.

 

[poke2001]

Same, although with the maturation of personal payment apps like Zelle and others, even this stuff may go away. Getting rid of checks completely seems like a stretch though.

Yeh, we use some Apple Pay now with the baby sitters. Again, I rarely have cash on me and I hate wasting time going to atms.

 

[inspoke]

I use credit card for every possible purchase. I do EFT pay for the credit card but have it on manual pay. I only write checks for mortgage and utilities and the occasional trip to the tag agent. I know I could automate but I like the old ways at least for some transactions.

I actually have a reasonably substantial account at one financial institution for which I have no checks.

You can pay your utilities online with a cc now. They charge a very small fee but your cc will likely give you more value than the fee. Paid ONG yesterday. I pay several months at a time so I don’t have to do it every month. Paid $500 and a $1.85 fee. Get points or cash back that are worth way more than that 1.85. PSO charges a bit more I think. Like $3 for a $500 I think.

 

[GoPokes43]

I only use them when it's the only realistic option for the person being paid. We use checks to pay the yard guy, the occasional contractor (plumber, etc.), some school stuff for the kids. So, maybe one or two checks a month. Rest do online through the bank's website, autopays or credit card. I'm in my 40s.

 

[knoblock]

Really regarding financial transactions --- I realize I am pretty old fashioned, but I pay almost all my bills by old fashioned check through the U.S. Mail. Now, I never write a check at grocery store or any other place of business outside the tag agent, except for the increasingly rare place that prefers checks over credit cards.

But I am just wondering -- are there any of younger (or even more seasoned) fellas who do not even have checks for your bank account(s)?

Same as you Marshal. Kids think I am more than old fashioned.

 

[purkey]

write a few checks, use cc, and pay online through my bank. Probably 20% of my bills I have to pay with a check. I've started in with paypal and may try that occasionally. I've got some people/companies that a check is the only way...I think. I've got wallet on my phone but have never used it.

 

[Pancreek1]

I'm 60 and I just forced my yard guy (mowing and spraying) to get Venmo or I'd change vendors. He complied. Now the only checks I'll ever write would be maintenance people like plumbers, electricians, etc. Everything else is digital.

 

[Marshal Jim Duncan]

I'm 60 and I just forced my yard guy (mowing and spraying) to get Venmo or I'd change vendors. He complied. Now the only checks I'll ever write would be maintenance people like plumbers, electricians, etc. Everything else is digital.

I've actually used Venmo a handful of times.

 

[purkey]

so, what is the difference between Venmo and PayPal? Seems to be the same thing.

 

[Marshal Jim Duncan]

so, what is the difference between Venmo and PayPal? Seems to be the same thing.

I'm not certain. They are definitely similar. Venmo is (now) owned by PayPal, I believe.

 

[OrangePhish]

I'm in my early 50's and write one check per month for lot rental. The property mgmt company is a single person entity and she's a bit old fashioned, which doesn't bother me, I just write the check and stick it in the mail. A book of stamps and checks last me forever. All other bills I pay using a credit card that allows accumulation of points/rewards. Might as well take advantage of their rewards. I cash in the points a couple of times a years and buy myself something I normally wouldn't buy, or get movie passes.

 

[pokes r us]

Really regarding financial transactions --- I realize I am pretty old fashioned, but I pay almost all my bills by old fashioned check through the U.S. Mail. Now, I never write a check at grocery store or any other place of business outside the tag agent, except for the increasingly rare place that prefers checks over credit cards.

But I am just wondering -- are there any of younger (or even more seasoned) fellas who do not even have checks for your bank account(s)?

I'm 57 years old and probably write fewer than 5 checks a year.

 

[osutater]

I’m 34. Only seem to write a check when i go to the tag agency cause I spend days looking for the last place I put my checkbook.

 

[tcpoke]

I’m 36 and write less than 10 checks a year probably, but I’ve also never heard of Venmo until I read this.

 

[1981grad]

I am 58 and retired and I pay all my bills using auto debit from my checking account. I can die tomorrow and my bills will be paid for years. The only time I write a check is to pay my quarterly taxes.

If it's discretionary it will go on my debit card, unless I am traveling. Then it goes on my credit card.

 

[Marshal Jim Duncan]

Thanks for all the responses everyone. It fell out about like I expected.

 

[1981grad]

You are most welcome. The Non-Sports Board is the place to be for issues that affects one's life.

What? No one pays with Bit Coin?

 

[gipraw]

We pay our yard guy and the water bill via check. Water company will take a credit card over the phone for a $10 fee., so I use bill pay through the bank and let them mail the check for me.

Probably write less than 50 checks a year

 

[Marshal Jim Duncan]

We pay our yard guy and the water bill via check. Water company will take a credit card over the phone for a $10 fee., so I use bill pay through the bank and let them mail the check for me.

Probably write less than 50 checks a year

I'd peg my checks at about 75 per year.

 

[cowboyclint25]

Only use checks for church donation and trash service bill, occasional kids school activity.

 

[hollywood]

Mid 50's and used less than 6 checks last yr. Between my current checkbook (100 checks) and my "forever" stamps, I could probably go a decade before running out of either.

 

[themark254]

I only write checks to the housekeeper.

 

[Pancreek1]

so, what is the difference between Venmo and PayPal? Seems to be the same thing.

2 years ago, there were big differences between Apple Pay, Square Cash, Venmo, Google Wallet and PayPal. Today, because they all compete for the same wallets via iOS and Android mobile devices, the differences have pretty much dissipated.

 

[Cowguy]

We rearely write checks. Also do 90% of everything through cash back credit cards.

 

[JonnyVito]

I write a check for my haircuts and trash service. I have rural trash service so paying by check is only option. I pay for haircuts with one souly to save my barber the fee on a credit transaction. I never have cash and always have to go to bank when I need it. Which by the way if you ever need like ten bucks or less it is a pain in the butt.

 

[docosu]

I've used Quicken since about 1989. I've used their Billpay service since early 90's. Still need checks a few times a month. Mostly wife paying service people or charity stuff. I had to write personal checks for taxes today. Damn near forgot how to do it.

 

[N. Pappagiorgio]

Most of our bills are paid through online banking. I’ve had to write a few checks lately and noticed my handwriting has seriously deteriorated.

 

[trapped_in_tx]

Most of our bills are paid through online banking. I’ve had to write a few checks lately and noticed my handwriting has seriously deteriorated.

Glad I'm not the only one. I almost never write anything by hand anymore. It's a strange realization.