How to Write a Check

To learn how to properly write a check, follow the steps and the diagram below. Always use a pen when writing out a check.

1. Record the month and day.
2. Record the last two digits of the year.
3. Record the name of the business or person you are paying. For safety reasons, it is recommended that you draw a line after the name. This will prevent any fraudulent attempts to alter it. For the same reason, it is advised you not use abbreviations on the "Pay To The Order Of" line.
4. Record the dollar amount using numbers. Print numbers as close as possible to the dollar sign. This will make it difficult for anyone to increase the amount by inserting an extra number.
5. Print the dollar amount in capital letters. Printing is more difficult to alter than handwriting.) Beginning at the far left, print the amount and draw a line to the right of the last word. Then, at the far right, record the cents as a fraction of 100. If no cents are involved in the transaction, record "NO/100."
6. Sign your name with the legal signature you used on your signature card when you opened your checking account.
7. If you wish, you can note the purpose for which you are writing the check in this space.

Budgets Put Money in Your Pocket!

Do you have a budget? A budget is a plan to keep track of your money. With careful budgeting, you can save for the things you want, instead of hoping to get them on your birthday or on holidays.

ACTIVITY: Print out this page. Answer the questions about Bill's Budget. Then, use the blank budget sheet so you can create your own personalized budget!

A. How much was Bill's total weekly income? ____________________

B. How much were Bill's total weekly expenses? ____________________

C. How much money does Bill have left in cash? ____________________

From this example Create Your Own Personalized Budget!

Making Deposits

Before you can write share drafts/checks, you need to put money in your account. You do this by filling out a deposit slip and giving it to the credit union. Some credit unions require deposit slips only for drive-through and ATM deposits; others may not use deposit slips at all. If your credit union requires deposit slips, they usually come as part of your checkbook. If you need more, the credit union has them available. You will usually receive a receipt for your deposit.

This is just a sample deposit slip. Not all deposit slips are the same

1. Write in the correct date.
2. List currency (paper money) and coin deposits separately.
3. List each share draft/check separately and endorse each check properly. (There is room on the back of the slip to list additional share drafts/checks.)
4. Add up the amount of each share draft/check, the currency, and coins. Enter the sub-total.
5. If you want cash back, enter the amount on the deposit slip, then subtract it from the sub-total and enter the remaining balance as your total deposit amount.
6. If you get cash back, you must also sign the deposit slip.

REMEMBER: When filling out your deposit slip, write clearly. Be careful when adding and subtracting. Deposit slip errors can be troublesome to your credit union and to you.

Share Draft Checking Account Basics

Before you can cash or deposit any share draft/check, you have to endorse it. That means you must sign or stamp the back of it. Most share drafts/checks have a line for a signature or stamp. Otherwise, endorsements should be made within 1 and 1/2" from the left edge on the back of the share draft/check.

Tips on endorsing share drafts/checks.

• When you endorse a share draft/check, sign your name exactly as it appears on the front.
• If your name is spelled wrong on the front of the share draft/check, endorse it on the back the same way it appears on the front. Below that, sign your name correctly.
• If you give someone a share draft/check made out to you, be sure to write on the back "pay to the order of" and the person's name. Sign your name below that.
• REMEMBER: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT ON ANY SHARE DRAFT/CHECK YOU ENDORSE.

Types of endorsements:

1. Blank Endorsement is the signature of the person to whom the share draft/check is written. Anyone can then cash it. (To be safe, endorse you share drafts/checks only when you're ready to cash them.)
2. Restrictive Endorsement states that the share draft/check is only to be deposited. You write "For Deposit Only" and sign your name under it. This is the endorsement to use when mailing a deposit to the credit union.
3. Special Endorsement makes a share draft/check payable to a third party and prevents anyone else from cashing it.

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