Personal checks are still widely used today, and for good reason! Personal checks have unique advantages and features that you don't want to miss out on.
Personal checks are still used by many people today.
This is because there are many advantages to writing checks. With all of the many payment method options available today, it's important to learn about all the options so you can take advantage of all the best features.
Payment Method Options Today
We have more payment methods available today than ever before and they all have their own pros and cons.
Some payment methods are more secure than others, some are easier to use than others, and some are best used in certain scenarios or certain places.
Cash Payment Methods
With a cash payment method, it can be easier to not overspend because the amount you have available to spend is more tangible.
But cash isn't always accepted everywhere and when cash is stolen, it can be very difficult to get that money back.
Personal Check Payment Methods
By carrying around a checkbook for a personal check payment method, you don't have to carry cash that can be stolen.
Checks are much more difficult for thieves to use because they are personalized.
Debit Card Payment Methods
Debit cards are plastic cards that a card reader can electronically read and access funds from.
A debit card payment method accesses money from your bank account.
They are small and easy to carry around in a wallet, purse, or pocket.
Credit Card Payment Methods
Credit cards are another plastic, easy-to-carry-around card, but this one isn't backed by a checking account with existing funds like a debit card. Instead, it's linked to a line of credit account with a set amount of available credit.
10 Reasons to Use Personal Checks
Most personal bank checks come with the same number of security and safety features, making them great personal payment methods.
1. Personal Checks are Safer to Mail
Sending a personal check in the mail keeps your money a lot safer than sending cash through the mail. A personal bank check is much more difficult to see inside an envelope than cash since they look just like paper.
2. Personal Checks Can’t Be Used by Thieves
Personal bank checks are less attractive to thieves than cash or cards. Personal checks cannot be cashed by just anyone, and that is too much of a hassle for a thief.
Thieves want quick cash and forms of money that are untraceable, and checks are neither of those things.
3. Personal Checks are Traceable
Personal bank checks are a very safe payment method because they are traceable.
Each personal check has its own number on the check you give and the receipt copy under the check.
4. Personal Checks aren’t Deposited Immediately
It usually takes businesses a day or two to actually cash the check that you’ve written for them.
This means that you have a day or two to make sure you have the money in your account to cover the check.
5. No Bank Account Necessary to Cash Checks
When you get paid through direct deposit you need to have a bank account set up.
But if you get paid with checks then you can just cash them, you don’t have to deposit them into a bank account or deal with electronic funds if you don't want to.
6. Personal Checks Make Budgeting Easier
Every time you write a personal check you are simultaneously writing your own personal receipt to go along with that purchase.
These slips of paper can make budgeting super easy since you can keep those in your checkbook and overview all your spending in one convenient place.
7. Personal Checks are Professional
Personal checks are also widely seen as a professional form of payment.
For example, if you are doing business as a freelancer one of the most professional forms of payment you can accept is a check.
8. Personal Checks are Customizable
Customize your personal checkbook with cool checkbook covers and check designs.
When ordering checks online or at the bank, you can choose photo checks, scenic checks, floral checks, and Disney checks.
You can even design your personal check order to have extra security features like check fraud protection or address labels.
9. Use Business Checks
If you have a small business, then you might be interested in using business checks.
Business checks will have the name of your business and address labels for your business on them, indicating that this payment is being made by the business entity.
10. Personal Checks are Widely Accepted Payment Methods
Since personal checks are one of the oldest forms of payment, they are widely accepted at most locations.
You'll just need to make sure you don't get into a "cash only" line at the grocery store, and you should be fine.
In Conclusion,
Personal checks are a useful financial product for personal and business use with their own unique features.
Personal checks also provide an extra level of security in your transactions.
So don’t forget about this important financial tool and learn to use your personal checks to their full advantage.