Hi all

I was just wondering if it is better to use a debit card when paying bills or would it be better to write a check, I always pay my monthly bills by check but I have heard so much about debit cards I was just wondering I have two accounts one for spending and one for paying bills Just wondering if a debit card would be better if it saves on the cost of reording checks

Thanks
Slowandeasy

Just to offer another option: I pay all my bills by online banking. I rarely write a check.

Debit cards are much easier to use than checks.

In fact I rarely write checks at all. Maybe 2-3 per month. All my regular bills are paid via online banking

You don't need two accounts since the debit card is tied to your checking account. Two people, who know what they are doing, have given you good advice. On-line for as much as you can and debit for nearly everything else.

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Originally Posted by ScottGem

Debit cards are much easier to use than checks.

In fact I rarely write checks at all. Maybe 2-3 per month. All my regular bills are paid via online banking

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Is online banking really safe? I quess I worry a lot about Id theft.

My on-line banking is pretty safe. It works through the banks main frame and writes electronic checks to the vendor. The banks make their computers pretty safe so they don't get robber electronically. Nothing, including checks , is totally fail proof.

I've been using computer home banking for close to 20 years now. No problems.

I hate writing checks, paying for stamps (cost of which is going up again soon), so I use debit cards and pay online when I can. No chance of checks getting lost in mail which does happen.

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Originally Posted by gazelleintense

I hate writing checks, paying for stamps (cost of which is going up again soon), so I use debit cards and pay online when I can. no chance of checks getting lost in mail which does happen.

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This depends on your creditor and bank. When using a bill paying service (either online or by phone), most payees will be paid using EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer). But some will still be paid by check, only one issued by your bank, not you. With my service, payees that I designate that do not have an EFT agreement with my bank can still be paid through the service. The service issues and mails a check in such cases. From there its up to the mails.

I have used online banking for years, I pay all of my bills online.
And for the day to day spending I use my debt card. I almost never write a check any more, I have had the same box of checks for almost 3 years.

I'd definitely say a debit card. It's basically the same as cash - just more convenient! With the electronic tracking capabilities these days, you can easily track your spending from months back. Checks (and other paper forms) are slowly fading in popularity. Just take a look around... we're moving toward a paperless society.