Should I order more checks?

[Amblydoper]

I just wrote my last check to pay rent, and I need to decide if I should order more checks. I only need them for paying rent. I can't pay rent in cash. If I don't order more checks, what methods are available for paying a landlord?

[iftheresaway]

I don't know how cheap your checks are - I can get a box of the el cheapo generic ones from my credit union for under 20 bucks with shipping. I've been working on my current box of checks for almost exactly 5 years (I only know that precisely because my 5 year anniversary is next month), and I still have one more book in the box. Even writing them that rarely, I think it's worth it to have one on hand just in case, so I vote buy another box.

[Alice The Goon]

Many apartment complexes and big rental management companies let you pay rent online- mine does. Or, you can pay by money order, which can be as cheap as 50 cents or so at a grocery store.

[USCDiver]

My bank's online bill pay lets you create an account for just about anything and have a check cut and sent to them on whichever day you want.

[Zulema]

Buy the checks. Even if you can arrange for your bank to cut you a check they can't do it if for some reason you have to wait for the last minute on a weekend. A money order will probably work but to use one every month would be a pain and cost more on a per check basis. You never know when you'll need a check for something else so you might as well get them just to have around.

[handsomeharry]

Originally Posted by Zulema

Buy the checks. Even if you can arrange for your bank to cut you a check they can't do it if for some reason you have to wait for the last minute on a weekend. A money order will probably work but to use one every month would be a pain and cost more on a per check basis. You never know when you'll need a check for something else so you might as well get them just to have around.

This here. Also, I have a habit of losing my debit card quite regularly. So far, replacement is free, but...
And, a money order is easier to get nowadays, but, sometimes it can cost a buck or more. In two years time, your check costs would be covered, even if you only wrote one check a month. Etc...never hurts, can only help.

[That Don Guy]

Originally Posted by Zulema

Buy the checks. Even if you can arrange for your bank to cut you a check they can't do it if for some reason you have to wait for the last minute on a weekend.

Agreed. You should always have some checks around "just in case" - just as you should always have some postage stamps (those new "Forever" stamps are good for this).

[Living Well Is Best Revenge]

Originally Posted by USCDiver

My bank's online bill pay lets you create an account for just about anything and have a check cut and sent to them on whichever day you want.

This is what I do. I don't think I've written a check in 5 years. If you do get checks, will you promise not to write them for groceries? I hate those people.

[Gary T]

Online bill pay, money order from convenience store or Post Office, counter check from your bank, cashier's check from your bank. Still, to the question of should you order more checks, I agree with "Yes." Shop around a bit and you can find them quite a bit cheaper than ordering through the bank.

[Hampshire]

Get the minimal amount. I've gone to electronic bill paying also but there's sometimes you just need a check handy.
-Charity donations.
-Downpayments to contractor buiding my fence, putting in a new garage door, paving driveway, etc.
-Field trips and other last minute school requests.

[sugar and spice]

FWIW I'm just a 1-unit landlord and my tenant pays with online bill pay. His bank sends me a paper check in the mail. [ETA: USCDiver said that already. But yeah, it's fine, just make sure the landlord knows to look out for it. ]

That said, I still write maybe 1 or 2 checks a month and if it were me I would get them. Costco and Walmart had the best prices I could find last time I ordered, and pretty much anyone is cheaper than your bank.

[mcgato]

I've used Checks in the Mail online successfully in the past. I also would recommend having some checks around just in case.

[kayaker]

What is the length of your lease? When I rented I signed a one year lease and offered to pay the year up front. Landlord gave me a strange look, but accepted my check.

[wheresmymind]

Well you didn't run out of checks by not using them, so I'd order more. Who knows what you might need a check for in the next 5 years - having them on hand is a lot easier than running out to get a money order, cashier's check, etc.

If you hardly ever use them (12 a year or so) a box should last you a decade.

[Tastes of Chocolate]

I noticed last night that I have 2 check blanks left in the book, and I started it in 2008. So 23 checks in 4 years. Yet for those 23 times, it was far more convenient to have a checkbook around. Those were for home repair folks (furnace/AC/plumbing), the HS wrestling team selling wreather, and one was for new kitchen cabinets, where they offered a discount to not use a credit card.

At this rate, the rest of the box will last me another 16 years. The cost of $1-2/year is worth having the checks handy.

[That Don Guy]

Speaking of checks...does anybody have checks with "20" pre-printed in the date (the way "19" was, before 2000)?

[perfectparanoia]

In case there are any canucks reading the thread, President's Choice gives free cheques. I have been using them for about 8 years.

I have no idea how cheques in the states work but I do like having a few on hand just in case.