I have went through a period where I didn't balance the checkbook but once a month when we would get our statement and it got out of control and we started bouncing checks. Now I try to balance it a couple of times a week and it has been much better.

We balance our accounts (to the penny) at least twice a month, when the bank and credit union statements come in. We use Quicken for everything and don't have a debit card, and that helps make things easier. Quicken's reconciliation means that balancing the checkbook takes maybe 15 minutes, unless I've transposed a few numbers somewhere and have to hunt down the error. Checking the credit card statements takes longer, because there's always a receipt somewhere that hasn't been put into Quicken yet and I have to track it down.

Back in college, I wasn't into balancing the books, and bounced a few checks at $15 each, which I couldn't really afford. Aside from knowing how much is in the accounts, balancing means I don't have to waste money on things that could be avoided like that.

I know this is bad but heck NO, I don't balance my checkbook. I look up online how much is in our account. I do not write checks. EVERYTHING is auto debit. I have my daughter's preschool taken out w/bill pay to send an echeck but I write -0- checks.

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I don't actually balance my checkbook but I bank online and I do keep track of what goes in and out of account. When posting in my checkbook I always round up to the next whole dollar so if I spent 5.50 I subtract 6.00, in one year I have managed to save over 400.00 by doing this and you don't even miss the money. We then use that money for a special dinner or towards a weekend getaway.

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My goal-to live a peaceful and serene life

I balance the checkbook about twice a month. I print out the checking account from online and make sure I have entered every debit into the checkbook. I keep a close count in my head all the time.

I do but not nearly as often as I should. I balanced it for the first time in months a few weeks ago. I really want to get back into the habit of balancing it at least once a month. We haven't had any issues with overdrafts our bouncing checks... but its always nice to know whats in there! Also we were overcharged on an item by $40. The receipt said the correct amount but I caught it just by chance - i was looking up something else online.
I'd hate to know how many other times that has happened that I didn't catch!

I don't balance it as in using the check register and the statement. I don't get a statement mailed to me. I can print it off the net. I have a book that has my bills listed and I check them off as they are paid. I only have to write 1 check for bills each month. I have a lot of drafts and use bill pay for the other bills. I keep a piece of paper in my bill book with my balance on it. I never go more than a few days without looking on line at my balance.
I use the debit card for gas and groceries.

Every time I write a check, withdrawl money, or make a deposit.

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I don't write hardly any checks. But, I do keep an excel spreadsheet that keeps a running total for me. I enter in scheduled payments at the bottom, and paste them under the current stuff when they come out. This way, I see what my current financial situation is and what my future will be - like how much I will have to start off the next month. It really helps us plan and keep track of when money comes out. I balance this almost daily against my online bank statement.

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Mom to Kaylee (10/2006)
Waiting on our second bundle of joy to arrive January 2009!

I'm the exact same way. I have to know exactly how much is in my account every single day. It drives me crazy otherwise.