By: Anita McKinney
Duval County Extension Educator
Duval County Extension Service (Jacksonville)
904-387-8850

With back-to-school on our minds, it’s time to review the "3 R's of Checking Accounts." Anita McKinney, Extension Educator, will be discussing these and other money management issues in the Get Checking seminars held this month. The sessions are set for August 17 and 24 (Thursdays), 5:30 to 8:30, at the Duval County Extension Education Center, 1010 N. McDuff Ave, or on August 19 (Saturday) - 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at WorkSource, 11000 Beach Blvd Ste 1. There is a $40 materials fee for the class.

McKinney says we should be aware of these three checking account tips to manage effectively. Use a check Register. Even though we are tempted to think that a register is old-fashioned, it's really the only way to know what we have in the account. The bank or credit union won't know about the check mailed to Aunt Sally that hasn't cleared yet, and the balance online or at the ATM would then be inaccurate and possibly cause a bounced item. In class, each participant completes a register with a specific set of transactions to get experience managing their money using this important tool.

Reconcile your register with the bank statement. Most people who are having difficulties with their account aren't in the habit of reconciling their register with the monthly statement. In the workshop, participants utilize a simple form to accomplish the task, and participants are encouraged to reconcile within five days of getting the statement each month.

Review. Use your check register and statement to review and track spending by budget categories. Having a written spending and saving plan and a tracking method that you will use consistently are vital to taking charge of your finances.

Anita McKinney, Duval County Extension Educator, coordinates and teaches the local program, which is a part of a national effort to improve financial literacy. “Get Checking is unique in that a person who has had difficulty opening an account will be able to open one at a participating financial institution after taking the class,” she notes. Five credit unions – Community First, Florida Telco, HealthAmerica, Jax Federal, and VyStar – and two banks – Everbank and SunTrust – are Financial Institution Partners and recognize the Get Checking Certificate.

Additional information is available at www.coj.net, (search for get checking). Promotional Partners are The Real Sense Prosperity Campaign, IDA Coalition, and Jax Saves of the Family Counseling Service. The Duval County Extension Service is a part of the City of Jacksonville and the University of Florida IFAS.  Extension Programs are open to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, religion or national origin.