Writing checks has become a lost art.

Many people under 30 or even 40 may not even have checks.

This is just one more personal finance skill thats good to have.

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Step 1.

This should be the date youre writing the check.

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You might postdate a test whether youre paying ahead of time for a service.

Step 2.

Step 3.

Noting the amount in two ways gives the person cashing it a safeguard to ensure its correct.

Be sure to fill the whole box so the amount cant be altered.

Its a way to record exactly what the moneys for.

For example, you might make a note that you purchased Moms birthday gift.

Your recipient cant deposit the funds unless youve signed the completed check!

This is an old-school task for sure.

Keeping track of the available balance in yourchecking accountcan help avoid any accidentaloverdraft feesfrom banks or financial institutions.

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What are all these lines, boxes and numbers?

How many ways do I have to write the dollar amount?

Yes, Paper Checks Are Old School

We dont exactly expect a resurgence of check writing.

Still, chances are good that the time will eventually come when youll need to write a check.

Maybe it will just be a monthly rent check.

Maybe it will be a down payment for something exciting, like a car or a house.

Maybe youll be feeling benevolent and want to write up some snazzy-looking birthday gifts.

So we would still advise you to learn the easy and important skill of how to write a check.

However, this isnt foolproof.

Debit cards and online banking have all but eliminated the need for this tedious payment process.

Ask your bank about one of these options:

1.

Even if you dont plan to write checks regularly, the paper versions could come in handy.

Check the FAQs for your online bank checking account to verify your account information works for these services.

Some dont, and they should say that explicitly.

The bank will print the check with the information filled out and mail it to the payee for you.

Senior writer Michael Archambault contributed.

Lisa Rowan a former staff writer.

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