Although many consumers take advantage of fast and easy electronic payments, the Federal Reserve reports that households still write an average of 7.1 checks per month. Even many business continue to pay their suppliers and employees with paper checks; however, these often are computer-generated. Young adults and individuals who open their first checking account may find the process of hand-writing a check daunting. Fortunately, the process is fairly simple and after filling out a few checks, you'll feel like a pro.
Occasions a $2,000 Check is Needed
There are several reasons people might find themselves in need of writing a check for $2,000. Making a mortgage payment is one, while purchasing replacement appliances is another. Perhaps you need to make a down payment on a vehicle, or you have to pay the movers when relocating to a new home. A few other examples include buying a wedding dress, pre-paying a vacation package or settling a medical bill.
Start With the Date
When writing a check for $2,000, you must first enter the current date in the upper right-hand corner where the check says "Date." You have the option of listing the month, day and year in numerical format, or by spelling out the month and then listing the day and year in numbers.
List the Recipient of the Check
The top line on the left-hand side says "Pay to the Order Of" and this is where you spell out who the check is for. This may be the name of a business, such as an apartment rental company or a pest control service, or an individual. If paying an individual, it is important that you remember to write both the first and last name on this line.
Add the Dollar Amount
Next to the "Pay to the Order Of" line, there is a box with a dollar sign at the beginning. This is where you write $2,000 in numerical form. There are two ways you can do this. You can write $2,000.00 using decimals or $2,000 00/100 using a fraction.
Spell Out the Payment Amount
Underneath the "Pay to the Order Of" is a line for writing out the payment amount. In this case, you'll need to write "Two thousand" and then add either no cents, xx/100 or 00/100. If there is a space between your payment amount and the word "Dollars," you may want to consider drawing a straight line. Some check writers prefer to do this to prevent someone from fraudulently changing the amount.
Insert a Memo
The bottom left-hand corner contains a line with the word "For" in front of it. This is where you list a memo to remind you why you made the payment. For example, you could write "Sarah's tuition" or "February's rent." Some check writers also use this space to list their account numbers when paying bills.
Finish With Your Signature
Use the line on the bottom right-hand of the check to add your signature. It is essential that your signature match the one you have on file at the bank. That is how the bank verifies that the account owner wrote the check.
Record the Transaction in Your Checkbook Register
Now that you've written your check for $2,000, you must record the transaction in your checkbook register. This will reveal how much money you have left in your account after the $2,000 is deducted.