You would be amazed at how much extra money adds up in the account over a year's time. This insures a cushion so that I never overdraw the account and I am saving money without even realizing it. When the extra in the checking account gets rather high I just transfer some of the money to the savings account.
Each month when the monthly statement arrives you can do a reconciliation of the account to see how much extra money you have. If you wish to use it just add it back into the account.
Source: A friend told me about this years ago.
By Shirl from Williamsburg, Kentucky
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By
06/14/2009
OMG. I'm from the old school. If I'm over or under even .01 cent I have to/need to, find where the error is. I could never do my checkbook the way you all suggest. This is the way I was raised and I suspect I'll probably never change.
I remember once at work, no computers then but did have a calculator, it took me forever finding a .02 error. It was a business and I did find it, actually to the good.
I suggest keeping your checkbook to the pennies and you won't have any worries.
By
05/29/2009
I don't round up, but I do have an extra $100 in my checking account that I keep for overdraft protection without having to pay a fee for it. This was do to a mistake (to my benefit) a long time ago and I just never corrected it in my checking account. I do somehow manage to balance every month without fail when I reconcile. I go online EVERY DAY to check my account to make sure I don't forget to record a debit. I use my debit card for purchases exclusively, and I admit it can be tricky to remember to write in each purchase. I keep all my slips in my wallet and once a week I write the slips in (sometimes more often) and every once in a great while I'll forget to post a purchase. But, by going into my account on line, I have less a chance of missing one. If this method works for the person who posted it, why change it. Good for her!
By
05/29/2009
I think this is an excellent idea. The only thing, be careful that you don't get over confident by knowing you have more in your checking account than you actually have (by spending it). I made an error (to my benefit) in my checking account quite sometime ago. While I do balance every month when I reconcile, I never corrected the error. I actually have about $100 more in my checking account than what I show. This gives me a little cushion and overdraft protection that I don't have to pay for. Also, my bank has given me 2 FREE overdraft protections of $25 each should I accidentally overdraw. They gave me this because I have gone 2 years without bouncing a check. I hope you win the tip contest.
Whenever you write a check, round up when you record it in your register. For example, if you write a check for $72.35, round up to $73.00. Not only does this make it easy to add and subtract, you will end up at the end of the month with a bit of bonus money. You can keep this in your checking account for a cushion to prevent bounced checks. Or you may put it into a savings account. Or just use it for a special treat you otherwise would not be able to enjoy.
By Kathy Y.
By luckylange
So in order to have that same "cushion" I routinely set aside $5 or $10 a week to be transferred into savings. That way I have the same cushion that the rounder-uppers have without the confusion in my checkbook. (05/08/2009)
By Cricketnc
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Organizing Checkbook Register