Writing a check

If I write a check to Target or Walmart, when do they take it out of my account? Is it right away? Like what if I wrote a check on Sunday, but didn't have the full amount in my checking account, but I will have the amount on Monday. Will they take it out right away?

I think it pends doesn't it? It takes a few days to clear I believe so you might be okay.

Why not just put it on a credit card and pay it off?

Yea i'm hoping it pends.. but i'm not sure because I use my debit card. I just realized I can cash my check at walmart for a few bucks so I'm ok. And I don't have a credit card.

Get a credit card man! As long as you pay it off every month, don't worry about the interest or anything. I have a Chase Rewards credit card and a debit card, but since I get rewards points for buying stuff and 5% cash back (5 points for every $1) on gas, groceries, and stuff bought at drug stores, or something like that, so if I spend $20 on gas, I get 100 points.

I don't even know how credit cards work.. so they send you a bill each month? Can you pay it with your debit card or something? or online?

[quotef6de8e7fbe="BD2006BD"]I don't even know how credit cards work.. so they send you a bill each month? Can you pay it with your debit card or something? or online?[/quotef6de8e7fbe]

I've got an AmEx card and I just pay the bill through their website. I have my debit card entered so all I have to do is log in and send them the payment. I'm sure most other major credit card companies do the same thing.

[quote99e391be67="nicd.01"][quote99e391be67="BD2006BD"]I don't even know how credit cards work.. so they send you a bill each month? Can you pay it with your debit card or something? or online?[/quote99e391be67]

I've got an AmEx card and I just pay the bill through their website. I have my debit card entered so all I have to do is log in and send them the payment. I'm sure most other major credit card companies do the same thing.[/quote99e391be67]

Yeah all other credit card companies do too.

I have a Citi Platinum Visa with a $1200 credit line. I get paperless billing so I check my balance online and pay it in full via my bank account. If you have online banking, you should be able to use BillPay from Bank of America/Wells Fargo/etc. to send direct payments to your credit card company, and they usually receive it in less than five business days.

As always, pay your bill off in full to avoid interest and to get good credit.

I'd recommend however, if you're writing a check, make sure you have your funds in your account to be safe. Otherwise you and the company will be charged for a bounced check. ;)

[quotec4cd5202f7="BD2006BD"]I don't even know how credit cards work.. so they send you a bill each month? Can you pay it with your debit card or something? or online?[/quotec4cd5202f7]

Yes you can pay online, if you have an account at Chase and set up online BillPay, which is free with Chase.

About seven years ago before I had direct deposit, I attempted to write a check to Best Buy on a Friday. I did not have the funds in my account to cover the check at the time and was going to deposit my payroll check on Monday. They ran the routing and account numbers at the register and told me what I already knew. I said ok and left the store.

walmart usually takes 3 or more days

[quote2f6efa7061="double_d"]About seven years ago before I had direct deposit, I attempted to write a check to Best Buy on a Friday. I did not have the funds in my account to cover the check at the time and was going to deposit my payroll check on Monday. They ran the routing and account numbers at the register and told me what I already knew. I said ok and left the store.[/quote2f6efa7061]

wow, never heard of that

[quotefda699db21="manofice"]walmart usually takes 3 or more days[/quotefda699db21]

Walmart is electronic now (at least where I live). It comes straight out.

[quote990bbf66cb="EnergyDrinks4Free"][quote990bbf66cb="manofice"]walmart usually takes 3 or more days[/quote990bbf66cb]

Walmart is electronic now (at least where I live). It comes straight out.[/quote990bbf66cb]

wowwww...thats crazy

You don't even fill most of it out.

It's weird.

Most stores now are electronic -- they debit your account immediately and hand your paper check back to you. Wal-Mart included. If you don't have the funds, your check won't validate at the register.

However for those that still do it the old fashioned way (by depositing it into their bank), it depends on several factors. If it's a local check, drawn on the same bank as the store, expect it to clear in 1-2 days at most. If it's a local bank, but a different one than the store uses, add an extra day. If it's an out-of-town bank and different from the store's bank, it might take another day, so 4 at most usually. This is all assuming they deposit your check the same day you write it.

I quit writing checks at stores years ago, preferring instead to use my check/debit card. We only write checks for those few bills that I have to pay via snail-mail, and for gifts.

I used to work as a service clerk at Walgreen's, and I hated when people wrote checks, holds up the line and then the old geezers take forever to write the damn things out.

USE A DEBIT CARD.

I have yet to see this new technology, lol

[quote4b1f2cc5a4="tylerc"]I used to work as a service clerk at Walgreen's, and I hated when people wrote checks, holds up the line and then the old geezers take forever to write the damn things out.

USE A DEBIT CARD.[/quote4b1f2cc5a4]

well a debit card deff won't work in his situation because he doesn't have the money in his account yet...