Keeping track of your personal finances can be a challenge, especially if you live a busy, chaotic life. You might find yourself in the middle of paying bills, reviewing your bank balance, or researching a new car or home loan — and then realize you don’t have check printing software installed on your computer or enough blank checks to last until payday.
It can seem like a lot to keep track of, but having a stock of blank checks is one of the easiest ways to stay organized. This article will explore why you should always have a good blank check stock, as well as how to get started using them.
Why You Should Always Have A Supply of Blank Checks
Having a large supply of blank checks at hand makes it much easier to keep track of your finances. Whether you’re paying bills, writing a check to a friend, or making a donation to a charity, having a supply of blank checks at the ready is a great way to stay organized.
Let’s use bill paying as an example. When you receive a bill, whether it’s for a utility, a credit card, or anything else, write the bill’s due date on the back of the check along with the amount that needs to be paid. Keep your bills and checks in a box, drawer, or other safe places until it’s time to pay them — and you’ll always know exactly where to find them.
How to Get Started With Blank Checks
Once you’ve selected a printer, you’ll need to go shopping for a supply of checks. You can buy pre-printed checks — or, for a few extra dollars, you can buy a bundle of blank checks and a check-writing pad.
Pre-printed checks often come with a fee; if you plan to write a lot of checks, investing in a box of blank checks is almost certainly a better idea. Many people also prefer to have a supply of blank checks.
Having blank checks at hand makes it easy to write a check at any time — you don’t have to wait until you have a pre-printed check ready. Blank checks are also helpful if you want to write a check to a friend or a loved one — you can write the amount in whatever way is easiest for you or the recipient.
Tips for Using Blank Checks Effectively
Always keep track of the date you wrote the check — and make sure you don’t accidentally write a new date on top of it. This can result in a bounced check and a fee. It’s important to keep track of the date you wrote the check so you don’t accidentally pay a bill twice.
Organizing your bills and checks is an essential part of managing your personal finances. For the best results, try keeping all of your bills and checks in a box, a drawer, or some other safe place. Keeping them in one spot will make it easy to find them quickly when you need to pay a bill.
Keeping a record of the bills you pay and the checks you write is also essential. This can be done digitally — many banks offer free online bill tracking, and apps make it easy to keep track of your expenses. Or, you can keep a physical record, like a spreadsheet or a pen and paper log.
