Anonymous wrote:Op, you must not have school aged kids.
I write about 6 checks a month for various school
stuff for 3 kids.

OP here. That's correct. My kids are 20 and 23.

The only money order I've had to use so far this year was when I paid my state taxes on April 15th.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We use e-checks for rent (our landlord gets an email, puts in their info, and they immediately get the deposit) and e-checks for anyone else willing to use it, but surprisingly most people prefer a paper check. Even providers who run a home business mostly online seem to prefer paper checks. Whatever, it's all the same to us, except it wastes paper.

echelon can be a hassle. I had someone pay me with one once and I entered all my bank info multiple times and the system wouldn't accept it. I know for a fact it was correct and I banked with a major bank at the time. The person who sent it to me didn't believe I couldn't access the funds because it was immediately deducted from their account. I had to wait a couple of weeks to get paid and it was a hassle.

I haven't had anyone complain of that, but we're always willing to pay via paper check for those who prefer it. One provider told me she considers the bill paid once she's holding the check vs if it's just an email sitting in her inbox that we've sent, she feels like our exchange/agreement isn't complete. It was a psychological thing, no problems with the service, at least on her end. To us, the balance on our account is updated more quickly with an e-check than with a papercheck, so it's quicker and keeps our accounts more accurate, but of course we do whatever the service provider wants. It's their business.

i keep mine in purse always now since one time i forgot my wallet when changing bags but the store took my check! so relieved i didn't have to abandon my purchase. they're able to just direct debit at most stores using a check so it was the same as having my card.

remember when paying by check used to mean 3-7 days before it cleared? very rare now in retail!

Op, you must not have school aged kids.
I write about 6 checks a month for various school
stuff for 3 kids.

Yes, school and home contractor stuff. Who has time for money orders??

Arrgh! ^^^^^^Stupid autocorrect!

Of course. It is laughable that banks tell you "our computer system is completely secure." Only a fool would believe that after the Edward Snowman leak. And yes, checks do reveal your account number. Mail can be stolen.

Anonymous wrote:We use e-checks for rent (our landlord gets an email, puts in their info, and they immediately get the deposit) and e-checks for anyone else willing to use it, but surprisingly most people prefer a paper check. Even providers who run a home business mostly online seem to prefer paper checks. Whatever, it's all the same to us, except it wastes paper.

echelon can be a hassle. I had someone pay me with one once and I entered all my bank info multiple times and the system wouldn't accept it. I know for a fact it was correct and I banked with a major bank at the time. The person who sent it to me didn't believe I couldn't access the funds because it was immediately deducted from their account. I had to wait a couple of weeks to get paid and it was a hassle.

Anonymous wrote:Do you still write checks for anything?

I haven't written a check in years. I pay all my bills on-line. On the rare occasion that I need to pay something that cannot be paid on-line or with cash, I buy a money order... that happens maybe twice a year.

Yes: children's music lessons, school field trips and other fees, doctor's co=pays, donations to some charities, activities for kids at church or elsewhere, donation to band/orchestra/theatre arts/scouts, or whatever else the neighborhood kids are asking, tutoring...

My dad had to write a check to the Funeral Home in Iowa for my mother's service because they did not take credit cards. Many small businesses do not take credit cards because it digs too much into their profit margin (if any).

I pay rent by check. This way I know it's getting there and not lost in the mail. The bank would just write a check anyway.

I have to pay for school and some extracurriculars by check. My parking garage only takes checks, as far as I know. And one of my utility bills (Arlington water/sewer) is paid by a quarterly check, in part because of glitches in their website. I don't understand why a person would find it easier to get a money order than just write a check.

everything else I do is online or through credit/debit.

Of course. Daycare, taxes, housekeeper, etc

We use e-checks for rent (our landlord gets an email, puts in their info, and they immediately get the deposit) and e-checks for anyone else willing to use it, but surprisingly most people prefer a paper check. Even providers who run a home business mostly online seem to prefer paper checks. Whatever, it's all the same to us, except it wastes paper.

I lost my checkbook somewhere in my house, so ever since I've been doing it electronically.

Yes, daycare only accepts checks and whenever we're hiring some one directly for a service (handy man, the doula, a babysitter who's getting paid more than we would have in cash just lying around) - we use a check.