Many people reconcile or balance their checkbooks more frequently than once a month. When they write checks, they record the transaction -- ordinarily in a second part of their checkbook, called a register. By comparing what they have spent against bank records, they are able to know accurately what their current balance is.
I do all my banking and bill paying online and have for years. By doing so I write no checks ever and can go to the banks site every day and see an accurate balance of my checking/savings account. This is a good thing for me because I never was very good at balancing my check book.
