How to balance a checkbook and read a bank checking account statement.

Learn how to balance a checkbook and read a bank checking account statement. Get a free checking account with online banking.

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How to balance a checkbook

Compare your monthly bank statement against entries written in your checkbook. Put a check mark next to each transaction in your checkbook registry as reflected on your statement.
Find the ending balance on your bank statement.
Add any deposits not checked off to the ending balance
From this new ending balance, subtract any recent withdrawals, checks or debits listed in your checkbook that aren't checked off.
The final amount should match your checkbook ending balance. If not, repeat this procedure until your checkbook balances.
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How to read a bank checking account statement

also see how to read a credit card statement

Statement Summary: This section summarizes the totals of your deposits and withdrawals/debits/checks since the last statement. It starts with the balance at the beginning of the statement period, adds the total deposits, subtracts the total withdrawals, and gives a summary balance as of the statement date.

Transaction Detail: There will be a line item for every check, debit, withdrawal and deposit made throughout the statement period. The transactions are listed in chronological order as to when the money was actually transferred, which may explain why check numbers aren't in numerical order.

Check Transactions: Your bank may use listings of check transactions in numerical order to make it simpler to confirm payments.

Daily Balance Summary: This area shows what happened within your account, total deposits and withdrawals, during the statement period.

Joint Savings and Checking Accounts

Having a joint savings or checking account can be convenient for married couples and family members. With one account, there is only one set of fees to pay and joint holders can put their money together, plan for a budget, and plan to pay bills. Joint account holders can designate one person to manage transactions or both could.

Joint accounts could be a risk factor if a relationship develops problems. In this case, one holder may decide to withdraw all the funds or overdraw the account. Nothing could be done when this happens because it would not be considered fraud. It is best to make sure all persons placed on joint accounts can be trusted to avoid any account problems.

Many times shared accounts can make bill paying and easier task. For example, elderly parents may choose to put their adult kids on their checking and savings accounts so they can help them with their finances. Banks usually give joint account holders the options of “both to sign” or “either to sign”. If a partner can't be trusted, then choosing the “both to sign” option may be the best choice so any transactions require the consent of both parties. If trust is not a problem, then the “either to sign” option can make it easier to allow either account holder to do any needed transactions.

Checking and Savings Accounts

Usually checking accounts do not pay interest and if they do, it will probably be smaller than what can be earned on a savings account. Checking accounts can offer unlimited withdrawals, the use of a debit card, and check writing features. When checks are written and there is no money in the account there are fees charged. The good thing about having a savings and a checking account is that you can usually transfer funds between accounts by the next business day. Online banking can make managing these accounts easier and usually offer bill pay features.

Savings accounts offer the ability to earn interest on the funds in the account. The bank does this because it uses the funds in savings accounts to make loans and conduct other business. Savings accounts may limit the number of withdrawals per statement cycle and require a minimum balance. This helps the bank ensure they have enough funds at their disposal. Some savings accounts charge a fee if the account falls below the minimum balance required.

There are several types of checking and savings accounts available, and you would need to choose the type depending on your financial needs. Two common types of checking accounts are joint checking (owned by two people) and express checking (those who don't need to do a lot of banking). An express checking account is good for those who are comfortable using an ATM, telephone, or computer to make bank transactions. These accounts usually have low minimum balance requirements and no monthly fees. Two common types of savings accounts are passbook accounts and high-yield savings accounts. Passbook savings accounts where deposits, withdrawals, and interest is recorded in a passbook the account holder keeps and a high-yield savings account (earns a higher interest rate) but requires a large initial deposit and must maintains a high minimum balance.

Banking, Checking, Savings

Banks earn most of their money from fees they charge you, and you can save more of your money by avoiding those fees while taking advantage of their services. If may take some time to determine which bank has the most perks to offer. Consider choosing one that is a Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC). It insures deposits and savings and the coverage was raised to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank. You will know if the bank is insured as they will display the FDIC sign. If you are considering a credit union, they have the National Credit Union Administration, which is a government agency.

Bank failures can happen even though it is rare, so it is good to know what they cover. Most consumers choose the basic bank service of a checking account, and there are many choices like free accounts with no minimum balance or accounts that pay interest if a certain minimum balance is maintained. For those who have more money, money-market accounts can offer higher interest rates but they usually require a high balance and limit the number of checks you can write.

It is best to ask the bank for a description of each type of account you are interested in and inquire about monthly fees and penalties. Fees for insufficient-fund checks can be as high as $30. Some banks enroll customers for bounced-check protection and they will cover the NSF check up to a certain amount. There can still be more charges until you pay what you owe. Some offer overdraft protection for a fee, the bank will draw on your savings account, credit card or line of credit to cover bad checks. Banks may be fast to process checks you've written, but they can be slow when making deposits available in your account. It could take as long as 10 business days or more for large checks or checks that are not local to clear. It is easy to compare banks online to learn about the benefits each one has to offer and you never have to leave your home. Look for a bank that is close by and has the perks you need.

Checking Savings Accounts

It can be a good idea to start an emergency savings account and get in the habit of saving money. It takes doing a task several times for it to become a habit. One way to start is to have money from your paycheck directly deposited as a way to pay yourself first. Start with a certain percent, about 10% can be a good starting number. You may find you don't even miss having such a small amount going into your savings account.

If debts or other expenses are a problem, for example you have a huge insurance note or you just want to set aside money toward retirement, consider a dedicated savings account. Look for a high yield savings account, or one that is easy to get the money if it was needed, and an account free of any investment risks. An FDIC insured, high-yield savings account could be a one choice and they are available nationwide.

Consider getting a free checking account to further save money on banking fees. Some banks charge a monthly service fee if a certain balance is not kept, be sure to review all details for having the account. Look for a checking account that does not charge a monthly service or per-transaction fees, and that does not require a minimum balance.

Small community banks, credit unions, and online banks may be a starting place to look. Once you get your accounts set up, track your monthly spending, to see just where your money goes. By reviewing statements, you can determine where to make cuts to save more money. Typically setting a goal to track expenses for two to three months can be very revealing. Use that information to build a monthly spending plan. Be sure to re-evaluate your plan often in case some changes need to be implemented.

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Bank checking account statement

Our article will teach you how to read a bank checking account statement. Visit our calculator section and download our checkbook register manager to track expenses.

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Chargeoff Debt Collectors - Did you know, you can still be expected to repay chargeoffs? That's why it's better to negotiate debt settlements with creditors instead of simply charging off debt.

A debt chargeoff is not cancelled by your creditor. Your creditor will add a negative entry (charge-off) to your credit report and continue to attempt to collect on the debt, and you are still responsible for repaying. But if you get the creditor to agree; in writing, to a debt settlement offer, then you can get off the hook.

Typically a credit card chargedoff occurs after 180 days of no; or less than, minimum payments. The chargeoff will remain on your credit report for seven years from the date it was chargedoff. If you pay the debt, it will be updated with a status of "Chargeoff Paid" or "Chargeoff Settled." The only way to remove a chargeoff from your credit report is to wait the seven year period or negotiate with the creditor to have it removed after you pay the account in full. Other than waiting for time to remove a chargeoff from your credit report, there is a way to get these removed.

Chargeoffs are often passed to a debt collector, unfortunately a debt collection agency is the last entity you want to negotiate with. The original creditor who reported the chargeoff is the one to deal with and the only one who can remove the credit report entry. Tell your creditor that instead of getting nothing, you will be willing to negotiate a much lower payoff amount in return for the removal of the negative credit report entry.

Before you contact the creditor, first line up your ducks. You'll need to figure out how much you're able to pay and when. The more you can pay and the quicker you can pay it, the more negotiating power you'll have.

Be sure to speak only to someone who has the authority to remove the chargeoff from your credit report. Let the creditor know you're interested in paying the account and would like to make payment arrangements in exchange for having the chargeoff status removed from your credit report. Speak politely and professionally. Avoid blaming the creditor or giving your life story. Keep it short and to the point. Best case, the creditor will agree to remove the chargeoff from your credit report.

Credit card companies are contractually bound to report credit information to the credit bureaus, so it can be difficult to get a creditor to agree to remove the chargeoff from your credit report. Even so, some cardholders have been successful in making a pay for delete agreement. If you can't get the creditor to agree to remove the chargeoff completely, try for something less negative like 'Closed'.

Once you are ready to make an official agreement, get the settlement terms in writing. We offer a sample debt settlement agreement letter you can modify with your personal information. Another option is to have the creditor fax you a copy of the agreement on their own company letterhead.

Never send in payment until you receive the agreement in writing. Be sure to followup later to ensure the creditor remove the chargeoff from your credit report.

If you don't think you can handle the free debt settlement negotiation yourself with complete confidence; or you simply don't want the harassment, you could let a professional debt settlement company negotiate on your behalf. You might even get a better settlement, too.

Whichever option you choose, just remember that some lenders will not give you new credit or loan approval until you've paidoff past debt.