Checks are paper forms that people use to transfer money from one place to another. A check is a written order that instructs a bank to pay a specific amount of money from a specific checking account to a specific person or entity, for example, a store.

Your financial institution will normally provide you with checks when you open a checking account. You can order more checks when you need them, usually for a fee.

Checks are a safe and convenient way to pay for things. If you have checks, you don’t have to carry large amounts of cash around with you. Each time you write a check, you have a record of how much you spent, and where. That can help you pay closer attention to what you’re buying, how much you’re spending, and avoid spending more than you planned.