I had several bounced checks this past year, first time in over 15 years!!
I went to a two payment option plan. Cash only, in advance OR Online Direct Deposit Payment. 3 of my families pay cash, the rest pay online.... If either form of payment are not present either in my hand or in my account, I do not allow them to drop off.
(I also opened two accounts, one for money coming in, one for money going out. HARD LESSON.)
I know it sounds harsh, but they caused me to accumulate over $3000 in charges and fees last year
. It always seems to happen at the worst time...like the day you pay your mortgage online causing it to bounce, or the day you pay that $5000 last payment on your retirement loan....groan...
Maybe it is the Region, but checks have just become an unstable art form in my mind.