How to Balance a Checkbook (2024)

Learning how to balance a checkbook registry can sound really daunting to someone whose never really used one before.

But learning how to balance a checkbook the modern way is actually really easy!

It's one of the most basic and simplest ways to keep track of your spending and budget your monthly income.

A balanced checkbook follows the same principles of a balanced budget. All you need to do is keep track of the money going in and out of your account. From there the ins and outs of how to balance a checkbook is just basic addition and subtraction.

How to Use a Checkbook Register as a Budget Worksheet

To learn how to balance a checkbook you need to learn about the different sections of a check registry. You can think of this registry as a type of transaction history budget!

A typical check registry has 7 columns. Each column outlines an important transaction detail that you can keep track of. Learn how to fill out these 7 columns to learn how to balance a checkbook.

1. Check Number
2. Date
3. Transaction Description
4. Debit (-)
5. Credit (+)
6. Balance
7. Cleared

Learn More: How to Budget

Step 1: Check Number

The Check Number column is where you can jot down the check identification number. Check numbers are usually found on the bottom right-hand corner of each check.

You can also use this column to jot down other types of transaction methods like, ATM, debit card, credit card, or deposit if the transaction didn't include a check.

Learn More: How to Void a Check

Step 2: Date

The Date column is where you can keep track of the date you issued each check.

For other types of transactions, you can write the day you received your paycheck, the date you made that ATM withdrawal, or the date you made that purchase with your debit card.

Step 3: Transaction Description

The Transaction Description column is where you can write down what the transaction was for.

You might write something like "birthday gift" if you wrote a check for your niece's birthday present. Or you might write "groceries" if you used your debit card to pay for groceries.

Step 4: Debit (-)

The Debit column is where you can write down the amount of money going out of your account. This column is sometimes also called the withdrawal or cash out section and is sometimes accompanied by a subtraction symbol.

Step 5: Credit (+)

The Credit column is where you can write down the amount of money going into your account. This column is sometimes also called the deposit or cash in section and is sometimes accompanied by an addition symbol.

Step 6: Balance

The Balance column is where you can write down the total balance still left in your account after considering any recent transactions.

This column helps to keep track of your total bank account balance at all times. This then helps keep budgeters from accidentally overspending your bank balance and paying overdraft fees.

Learn More:How to Write a Check

In each row, as you record a withdrawal or deposit into your account, you'll also calculate the new total balance in your account.

This way you'll always know how much you have in total funds.

Step 7: Clear

The Cleared or Checkmark column is where you can keep track of whether a transaction has gone through or not.

These checkmark boxes might have their own separate column or be found next to the withdrawal or deposit columns.

These checkmark boxes are used to check off when a check or transaction has "cleared" or finished processing and can be used for check or debit transactions.

Why Learning How to Balance a Checkbook Makes Budgeting Easier

Learning how to balance a checkbook makes budgeting easier because you'll be more aware of your money and your spending than ever!

A checkbook register is a handwritten transaction record of a specific checking account. To balance a checkbook register means to make sure the financial records you've been keeping are correct and up to date.

Learn More: Advantages of Using Personal Checks

By learning how to balance a checkbook you may notice many perks like . . .

Staying on Top of Transactions is Easier

When you learn how to balance a checkbook, you'll have a detailed history of every single expense and deposit going in and out of your account.

By tracking your spending so carefully, you'll find staying on top of your spending so much easier, regardless of whether you're writing checks or making debit card purchases.

Keep Track of Both Deposits and Withdrawals

When you learn how to balance a checkbook, you'll be able to keep careful track of both deposits and withdrawals. A transaction register isn't just for tracking debit card purchases or whenever you're writing a check. It also keeps track of your deposits and bank balance too.

Keep a handy, handwritten history of all your deposits and withdrawals, have a detailed monthly statement report on hand, and keep careful track of your statement balance when you use a checkbook register.

Learn More: How to Endorse a Check

Ditch Online and Mobile Banking with a Handwritten Monthly Statement

When you learn how to balance a checkbook, you'll be able to pick and choose a personalized notebook or worksheet to use!

Online and mobile banking isn't for everyone. Some of us love to customize our personal finance budget and transaction registry as much as we can!

With a checkbook register, you can do just that.

Create a spreadsheet with all of your favorite colors and helpful graphs or buy a custom checkbook register online to keep track of your spending and earnings in style.

Stop Overdrafting on Your Checking Account Balance

When you learn how to balance a checkbook, you might find it easier to not overdraft on your checking account balance.

By keeping track of your spending as you make each purchase and keeping track of your checking account balance after each purchase, you'll be far less likely to ever overdraft on your checking account.

So, if struggle to keep track of your bank account balance, try this budgeting method instead and keep track of this number yourself!