Writing Checks

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Register First, Check Second

Always record a check in your register before writing it. See the following example.

Ryan is buying three used video games from Tamra for $25. Before he writes the check, he updates his check register by entering:
  • The check number.

  • The date.

  • A description of the purchase (to his friend Tamra for video games).

  • The payment amount of $25.

Then he subtracts the $25 from the balance in his account and writes the check.

CHECK NUMBER OR CODE DATE TRANSACTION DECRIPTION PAYMENT, FEE, WITHDRAWAL(-) DEPOSIT, CREDIT(+) $     100.00
1641 10/15 to Tamra for video games 25 .00       75 .00
                   

Like Ryan, you should always record a check in your register before writing it. If you wait, you might forget to update your register and end up with an overdrawn account.

Writing A Check

  1. Write clearly in non-erasable ink. Start writing at the far left of each space.

  2. Write the date in the space provided on your check.

  3. Enter the payee — the person or company to whom you are writing the check.

  4. Enter the dollar amount in numbers.

  5. Write out the amount in words as dollars and fractions of dollars and draw a line to the end of the space as shown below. This keeps anyone from changing your check later. Example: A check for $15.65 is written Fifteen and 65/100. A check for $155.25 is One hundred fifty-five and 25/100.

  6. Sign the check just as you signed your signature card.

  7. Use the memo line as a reminder of why you wrote the check.

  8. Present your check for payment. Be ready to show identification (ID), such as a driver’s license, student ID card or other photo ID.

Example                                                                                                                                        1641
                                                                                                                 2
                                                                                                    DATE: Oct. 15, 2009
PAY TO THE           3                                                                                        4
ORDER OF          Tamra Smith                                                                   $  25.00
    5
Twenty five and 00/100 --------------------------------------------------------------------------DOLLARS
      7                                                                                           6
 FOR  for video games                                                           Ryan Correa

Fix This Check

Today is October 15, 2009. Ryan just wrote a check for some video games he is buying from Tamra. There are two things wrong with it. Why does Tamra ask Ryan to write her another check?

Example                                                                                                                                        1641
                                                                                                                
                                                                                                    DATE: Oct. 15, 2008
PAY TO THE                                                                                                 
ORDER OF          Tamra Smith                                                                   $  25.00
    
Twenty and 00/100 --------------------------------------------------------------------------DOLLARS
                                                                                                
 FOR  for video games                                                           Ryan Correa

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