# How many checks do you write? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 17, 2012, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992 "2012-10-17T12:35:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992/61 "2012-10-18T00:22:45Z")
None. I’ve never had a chequebook, not even for my business. On the rare occasions I’ve needed one, I’ve either used a postal money order, or a cashier’s cheque from the bank. > [@suranyi](#): > > I’m curious how the posters who never use checks pay the people in category 1. Cash; or sometimes they will accept credit/debit cards. I think most of them would be suspicious of a personal cheque and may refuse it. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992/62 "2012-10-18T00:38:07Z")
Two today, one at the commissary and one at the supermarket out in town. Mortgage payment every month. Commissary every week (sometimes twice). Other supermarket three or four times a month. (Commissary is definitely cheaper, but doesn’t carry some things.) Occasional visits to WalMart, NEX and Sears. Sewer tax every quarter. Etc, etc, etc. A total of 18 in the past month, which is probably about average. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotGrrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@PatriotGrrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotGrrrl)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992/63 "2012-10-18T00:49:39Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > I voted 0-1, but I should point out that my bank writes and mails a few on my behalf. I just don’t ever actually touch them. Same here. Once a month my bank mails a check to my landlord, but I never see it. Other than that, the only things I’ve used checks for were buying vehicles, and occasionally for paying a traffic ticket when I couldn’t get the Massachusetts state website to work properly. ---
**Author:** ![Susie\_Derkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Susie\_Derkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susie_Derkins)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992/64 "2012-10-18T01:38:12Z")
Two every month (rent and water) and probably about five miscellaneous per year, for school fund-raisers and things like that. When I pay my water bill, there’s a line on the envelope about paying online to save a stamp. What they don’t mention is the $5 surcharge. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992/65 "2012-10-18T02:32:08Z")
I write one to my farrier about 5 times a year, and one for the collection at church when I don’t have cash. And I guess occasionally for my handyman, who’s helping me paint my house right now. All my regular bills are paid by automatic deduction. What’s CSA? StG ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992/66 "2012-10-18T02:40:15Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > What’s CSA? From the context, I’m guessing a community supported agriculture group. People pay local farmers at the start of the season and receive a share of the produce at the end of the season. ---
**Author:** ![gwendee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992/67 "2012-10-18T03:17:06Z")
I write checks for the collection at church, and send nieces and nephews checks sometimes. All of my regular household expenses are paid online. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992/68 "2012-10-18T03:30:14Z")
Zero. I have not had a checking account since I lived in the US, and we’re talking decades ago. Checks are uncommon over here. ---
**Author:** ![Uther\_Penguin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Uther\_Penguin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uther_Penguin)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992/69 "2012-10-18T03:49:24Z")
What is this cheque thing? It’s some antiquated form of payment, like wampum or hacksilver, isn’t it? 😛 I have not seen a chequebook for about twenty years and anyone trying to pay by cheque would be looked at almost the same way as a guy trying to pay with a goat and three chicken. It is simply not done anymore. Cash or plastic card. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992/70 "2012-10-18T19:52:57Z")
> [@tellyworth](#): > > None. I’ve never had a chequebook, not even for my business. On the rare occasions I’ve needed one, I’ve either used a postal money order, or a cashier’s cheque from the bank. > > Cash; or sometimes they will accept credit/debit cards. I think most of them would be suspicious of a personal cheque and may refuse it. On Saturday I expect to have to pay a handyman $950 for making some repairs around the house. I’d be wary of having that much cash around, and he doesn’t take credit cards. A check seems like the only option. ---
**Author:** ![Clawdio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d07c76/32.png) [@Clawdio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clawdio)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992/71 "2012-10-18T20:07:33Z")
I was at 2 per month until last month, finally converted my electric bill. So now its just the monthly rent payment. And the occasional wedding gift. ---
**Author:** ![perfectparanoia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@perfectparanoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perfectparanoia)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992/72 "2012-10-18T20:18:59Z")
I do it once every two weeks. We don’t have a joint bank account but he writes me a cheque for his pay so I can deposit into my account (which I use for our joint expenses). Other than that, anything that can’t be paid electronically is paid in cash. ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992/73 "2012-10-18T20:23:34Z")
24-36. I usually write a check to a loan company, just because they are right next door to the grocery I usually go to, so I am right there, and write one to the water company because they don’t have an on-line. I write checks to my vet out of habit & the fact that he is one of the few left on earth that will hold a check for you if needed. I wrote one at the dentist yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992/74 "2012-10-18T20:55:01Z")
I haven’t written a cheque in about 15 years. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992/75 "2012-10-18T21:12:10Z")
> [@Clawdio](#): > > I was at 2 per month until last month, finally converted my electric bill. So now its just the monthly rent payment. And the occasional wedding gift. Oh yeah, I forgot about wedding gifts. How do people who never write checks deal with those? ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992/76 "2012-10-18T21:22:51Z")
My mean cheques per month is about two, but the mode is one. I usually write just one for rent, but I probably write 12 over the year for other, miscellaneous things. And I’ve noticed the voluminous proliferation of “no checks” signs at various restaurants and stores. It makes me hurt a little bit for the older members of my family who have never caught on to debit cards, but I can see why merchants have gone that way. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992/77 "2012-10-18T22:00:01Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > I just pulled up Quicken, and did a count for checks written in the past 12 months. 88, which was more than I’d mentally estimated. Ditto - on counting checks in Quicken I was surprised at how many we (my wife and I) wrote: 52 so far this year. 20 of those are to the cleaner. I wonder how many people who guesstimated their answer have understated the number - I would have if I had not checked in Quicken. ---
**Author:** ![Scougs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scougs/32/3158_2.png) [@Scougs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scougs)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992/78 "2012-10-18T22:20:34Z")
I honestly can’t remember the last time I wrote one. It’s all plastic and bank transfers here now. I recently had to organise a roof repair for my apartment block. I paid the tradesmen by bank transfer; the other owners reimbursed me by bank transfer. I was relieved the tradesmen didn’t want cheques - I’ve no idea where my chequebook is. These little transatlantic differences are part of what fascinates me about the Dope. ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992/79 "2012-10-18T22:23:35Z")
More than my body can cash. ---
**Author:** ![SandyHook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@SandyHook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandyHook)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992/80 "2012-10-18T22:28:24Z")
I hit the 0-1 button though a 0-.4 per month button would have worked better. Just took a look at my checkbook and saw that I’ve been using the same book of 25 since April 14, 2009. That’s 42 months for 22 checks written. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-checks-do-you-write/637992.md?page=5)