<p>D and her senior class had a series of workshops today. They learned that they shouldn't binge drink, shouldn't get into situations which might result in date-rape, and shouldn't bounce checks. After some serious annoyance on my part that the issue of healthy relationships (e.g. non-abusive, non-controlling) wasn't covered, I moved on to thinking about checking accounts. D has a pre-paid credit card which she'll have in college. Since she'll be living in a dormitory and thus not paying utility bills or anything like that, is there actually anything she'd need a checkbook for?</p>
<p>My daughter didn't take a checkbook to college with her last year, but she found that occasionally her friends pay for her and she writes them a check.
This year she took her checkbook. I must say we have never ordered checks for her; she's still using the 25 free checks that came with the new account.</p>
<p>Who's getting the statement?</p>
<p>My S has a bank card and I top it up on the first of each month. I can see what he spends and when he spends it on the internet bank site.</p>
<p>He is able to get cash out of most cash machines. So far he hasn't felt the need for checks.</p>
<p>Son has had occasion to mail checks (to government agencies, to pay for a fundraiser he was getting reimbursed for, to order some things he couldn't order online with his credit card, to pay for a parking sticker etc). There are also times he needs to pay another student, maybe at another college, so he uses checks then too. Usually he just gets cash with his ATM card or uses an American Express card for online ordering and gas.</p>
<p>my daughter has had her own checking account since high school. She gets the statements and has a linked debit card which enables her to buy things online. She also just took out a loan to establish credit by buying a computer through apple ( although she had money to pay upfront). Even though you can pay bills online, I imagine she still uses her checking account occasionally</p>
<p>Emeraldkity, I am sure you and your daughter know this and are careful, but for others who might not: Be REALLY careful with using a debit card online. Unlike a credit card, which you are not liable for if you report a fraudulent use, if someone gets ahold of your debit card number they can wipe you out. It happened to my son's friend (to the tune of several thousand dollars) and several other people I know. With a credit card, we have been able to stop several charges that were not ours....</p>
<p>I only have a debit card and I haven't had any problems, however I have had problems with my former bank and my checking account ( washington mutual) where WAMU allowed someone to deposit a check ( which bounced) into my account and get cash back.
This took a long time to clear up and even though it was their fault, I was miffed that I didn't recieve a apology.
Now I have an account online that I can check transactions as they are posted, so hopefully problems will show up earlier. With my WAMU account, I didn't know of problems until I starting getting charges that weren't going through because my account was frozen.
( I also don't keep a lot of money in my debit account, it is mainly for groceries and gas)
I do suggest that everyone find out your credit history with all three reporting agencies, there may be some big surprises!</p>
<p>DD found that having her own checking account is essential. She writes checks for books, the deductable for doctor's visits, the late night run for junk food, etc. She has a credit card for online purchases, etc. What she doesn't keep much of is cash because it's too easy to spend.</p>
<p>i have a debit card but i never use it if any one uses it its my mom or my grandma or my dad sometimes but i my self rather use the checks the bank gives out</p>
<p>debit cards who needs them</p>
<p>who needs them</p>
<p>D has a checking account that has both check and a debit card. She's maybe written one, maybe two checks on it. Between the debit card and the credit card, checks are superfluous for her.</p>
<p>S has never written a check (has had a debit card/checking account for 5 years); D writes about one check a month and mostly uses her debit card.</p>
<p>Neither have credit cards.</p>
<p>Mine uses his credit card and cash from his on-campus ATM. He has a checkbook ~somewhere~ but has never used it. His ATM card is also a debit card but he doesn't use it as such. </p>
<p>The credit card is in his name through our insurance company, so he's building credit plus he doesn't have to carry a checkbook or a lot of cash around. Works out great for him.</p>