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Recording each transaction in your checkbook register and adding or subtracting it from the balance is the first step to simplifying the balancing act. Remember, it also takes a few days for your checks, ATM, Visa Check Card, and/or deposit transactions to be recorded on your account. Meanwhile, you are continuing to write checks, make ATM withdrawals and/or deposits, and hopefully, keeping track of these transactions in your checkbook register. Once your statement has closed, it will take a few days for the information to be printed and for it to arrive in the mail. The closing date is usually found in the upper right-hand corner of the first page of your statement. Your statement lists the transactions posted to or cleared to your account as of the closing date. Seldom will your bank statement and checkbook register agree. This brochure will help simplify the balancing process and hopefully reduce the anxiety level when your bank statement arrives. See No Evil – You avoid the frustration altogether by (1) Ignoring your monthly statement altogether, (2) Using the bank’s balance, or (3) Keeping an approximation in your head. Nice try, but… – You try to balance your checkbook using pencil and paper, but find it frustrating and have difficulty making the numbers agree.ī.
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