3 Ways to Get Free Checks
Having a bank account is something that is required of most adults in the modern world. If you receive a paycheck or payment of any kind, chances are you have one. Not only are they a basic necessity, they are also incredibly convenient until the moment you pull out your checkbook and realize you’re almost out.
Getting checks printed can be costly if you use them regularly and a little bit annoying considering you are essentially paying in order to be able to use your own money. Let’s take a look at some ways to get free checks and skip that pesky little fee!
The Easiest Ways to Get Free Checks
There are a lot of different ways to get checks for free without much of a hassle. Let’s take a look at the easiest and see if we can get your checkbook replenished at no cost!
Scout a Check-Inclusive Checking Account
While this may be a bit of a process, switching to a checking account that includes free checks within the terms and conditions can save you a lot of money if you are a regular user of checks.
Those little fees for ordering more checks can add up so if you are looking to save some money and are not particularly attached to your current checking account, you can easily sign up for a different account that offers free checks as part of the account program.
Print Your Own Checks
It is a little known fact that it is entirely legal to print your own checks at home. It makes sense, if you think about it: you use them to access your own bank account so it is well within your rights to print your own checks to use.
That being said, you cannot just print checks on regular printer paper. In order to function as a check should and access your account, you have to have your checks printed on special paper. You also need a check printing software, which can be accessed for free online.
It really is as simple as having a printer and picking up the software and some blank or preprinted check stock paper. You just print out the checks you need and you are all set!
Bank Online
Almost all online banks offer some form of free check system. This is because they can afford little extra perks due to the fact that they do not exist as a brick and mortar bank and do not have to pay the associated bills and fees that go with being a physical location. Some of these banks include:
- Ally Bank
- Nationwide Bank
- Discover Bank
- Bank 5 Connect
- Schwab Bank
Along with free checks, these banks also often offer a range of other benefits and perks, including rewards programs and other unique customer care facets, making them worth considering.
With more and more people switching to online banking due to the convenience and benefits, this is an option worth considering, especially if you want to take control of your bank account and receive free checks in the process. Of course by using a coupon code to buy checks, you can get them very cheaply, if not free.
Why Use Checks in the First Place?
With the overhead expense of using checks being higher than just paying with cash or using a debit or credit card, you may be wondering why you should even be considering using checks. It does make sense that other methods are more cost-effective and therefore worth checking out, but the classic check does have the benefits that make it worth at least having on hand in some capacity.
For example, checks are perhaps one of the safest methods to send through the mail. With cash, someone can fairly easily tell there is money inside if they are keen to detect such things. This puts you at a higher rate of potential theft and, since there is no paper trail for cash, you will likely have a hard time getting your money back once it is gone.
With checks, there is a required signature endorsement and sometimes even a photo ID. They are also harder to detect in an envelope, preventing sticky fingers from grabbing them. If they are lost, they can be canceled, too.
Checks are also not deposited immediately most of the time, meaning that you will not have a check immediately cleared for someone to withdraw. This gives you time to confirm that the person who was intended to receive the check actually used it, slowing down and preventing theft.
Perhaps the best part is the gift-ability. You can conveniently write a check as a gift and not have to worry about going to withdraw money from an ATM. Even those without a checking account can cash a check, allowing you to gift easily without worrying about them not being able to use the amount. This saves you a lot of time and headache and helps the person receiving the gift to access it immediately and use it however they want.
The same applies to those who are paying for services and other tasks. You can confidently pay with a check and know it will be able to be used by the person it was written to without the risk of theft due to the ability to trace the check if it goes missing and stop it while creating a new one. It is a fantastic system for those who want more security with purchases and payments of all kinds!
Because checks also make budgeting easier and create a situation where you can balance your checkbooks easily, you can keep track of your expenses and the money you are spending very easily. This allows a superior budgeting experience that can give detailed reports on how you spend your money and where the largest volumes are going according to your own spending documentation.
If you are trying to save money, this is incredibly beneficial since the check stubs do not lie. You can view your exact spending habits and get rid of bad ones rather easily, creating the perfect pathway towards better financial habits and saving abilities.
Checks and Balances
While checks can be pricey if you use them routinely, it does make sense to have them on hand if you need them due to their overall beneficial nature and ease of tracking. The security they bring, alone, makes them a viable candidate for your financial usage. That being said, the fees can be a massive pitfall and contribute to a lot of frustration, especially if you go through checks regularly and use them as a primary payment method.
Fortunately, there are tons of different ways to go about getting free checks that can help you to negate that expense. From printing your own to simply finding and opening a checking account that includes free checks as one of its perks, you have options to help ensure you are getting the most possible benefits out of your check using.
If you need free checks, take matters into your own hands! There are plenty of ways to get them. It is just a matter of figuring out which works best for your needs and financial desires. Explore your options and you will certainly find one that fits!
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