Rounding up check book

**lilk** · 06-07-2009, 10:32 PM

Does any one here round up their check book to the next dollar? I'm trying new ways to save a little here and there, this seem pretty easy to me. I just have one question, what do you do about deposits? Do you round down to the nearest dollar, or just leave it as is? I like the idea of not having change I think it will be easier to balance the check book? Any input would be much appreciated.

**nodmicks** · 06-08-2009, 12:22 PM

I've never done this but my MIL does. She has over 2000 extra in there!
I thought about trying it. MIL says she really doesn't balance it 100%. She just makes sure everything clears etc.

**Mom23boys** · 06-08-2009, 12:44 PM

My oldest son does this with his checking account. It is part of the "Keep the Change" program through BOA where he does his banking. It sure helps him manage his checkbook better, plus he is saving money which is even better!

**pinetree** · 06-08-2009, 01:09 PM

I do this, but I keep my deposit to the exact amount, that way if I have a problem with the deposit & the bank I always have the exact amount written into the book.

If you want to round your deposit, round it down, that way theres a little more in there than you deposited.

**justpeachy92** · 06-08-2009, 01:30 PM

I have done this for years. I round up all expenditures and round down the deposit.

**bluedog** · 06-08-2009, 04:15 PM

Yep. I just paid for a $950 crown with those little round ups!

**frugalwarrior** · 06-08-2009, 05:35 PM

No, I don't think this is a good idea. How do you ever know if your balance is off,how do you balance your checkbook?

**littleplum** · 06-08-2009, 09:47 PM

No. I simply keep an automatic withdrawal or direct deposit going to one of three savings accounts. We put $400-500 into savings accounts each month - one for home and auto maintenance, one for vacations, and one for gifts. This is in addition to our emergency fund.

**Sassyclass** · 06-08-2009, 10:04 PM

I round mine up. I use a notebook to write what bills are being paid out of a check. I have a column for rounded up amount and then a column for how much extra I'm putting in the bank.

Example

Phone $46.00 $45.03 actual (+.97)

DirecTv $ 68.00 $67.31 actual ( +. 69)
________

+ $1.66

I just add that to next payday's bills.

Cat

QM · 06-08-2009, 10:42 PM

I don't round up anything. A penny saved is a penny earned...even if it's saved for the next month.

**strezzed** · 06-08-2009, 11:42 PM

Nope. I need to know, to the penny, what's in the account. I guess I'm anal that way.

**elphie** · 06-09-2009, 10:05 AM

I do and I round the deposit down as well. It's just easier. I balance my checkbook when my statement comes in and when my balance gets to be more than a $100 over the statement I transfer it to savings.

**cheles2kids** · 06-10-2009, 09:42 AM

I'm so glad that you asked this question. When Mike & I were first married, this is how he always figured up the checkbook.

Then I took over and began keeping up with it down to the penny, but with you bringing it up again, I think I will begin to implement this strategy again.

A few extra dollars here or there always helps.

Oh! Along this same train of thought, now that we've gone to using the cash envelope system for some of our expenses, each time there is any actual coin change left from whatever category.
This automatically gets 'deposited' into either my quarter jar or into the 'other' change jar (this one holds all other coins besides quarters).

**tervsforme** · 06-10-2009, 09:49 AM

I don't, but being an accountant, I'm kind of anal about balancing my checkbook! LOL I have money directly deposited into my savings account every pay, so I'm saving that way. Hey, if it works for you, then keep doing it, every little bit saved helps!

**elphie** · 06-10-2009, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by cheles2kids

Oh! Along this same train of thought, now that we've gone to using the cash envelope system for some of our expenses, each time there is any actual coin change left from whatever category.
This automatically gets 'deposited' into either my quarter jar or into the 'other' change jar (this one holds all other coins besides quarters).

I do the same thing with my "envelope change". The kids covered and decorated an old tin can that we've been filling since February. Just this week I took it to the bank (they have a free change counter) and we were 6 cents shy of $20. I managed to rummage the 6 cents from the bottom of my purse and the kids and I put the money in our Wii Fit fund- which is fully funded now and we are buying it today!