Anytime Adviser—Checking Account Coach

Resources

 

Checking Account Options Work Sheet

 

Which features do you need in a checking account? Review the first column. For each feature that is important to you, place a check mark in the second column. Now compare two or three checking account programs to determine which will best meet your needs. 

 

Name of check program and financial institution	√
Monthly fee/ service charge
Minimum balance to waive monthly fee
Minimum balance to earn dividends?
Overdraft (bounced check) fees
Overdraft protection
Cost to print checks
Other fees/charges
Direct deposit available?
Debit/ATM card available?
ATM fees
Telephone access to accounts?
Web branch?

 

Transaction Tally Page

 

If you don't carry your checking account register with you at all times, consider cutting out and wrapping this small sheet around your debit or ATM card. It will help you keep track of electronic deposits and purchases. We've provided a short and a long tally page—choose the one that works best for you. 

 

Start the month by entering your current balance and list any direct deposits you're expecting for the month.

 

Date	Description	-	+	Balance
	Current balance	--	--

 

 

 

Date	Description	-	+	Balance
	Current balance	--	--

 

Checkbook Reconciling Practice

 

 

Would you like some practice reconciling your monthly statement with your checkbook register? While some people rank reconciling a checking account right up there with having a root canal, it's really not bad at all.

 

On the following pages, you'll find:

 

·         A sample completed checkbook register

·         A sample account statement

·         A blank reconciliation work sheet

·         The completed reconciliation work sheet (don't peek at the answers)

 

Print off these pages and either complete the reconciliation work sheet by hand or use the online Checkbook Balancing Calculator.

 

 

Sample Completed Checkbook Register