Using debit cards
A debit card looks a lot like a credit card, but it works like a check. When you use a debit card, the amount of the purchase is deducted from your checking account immediately—there’s no lag time as there is with credit cards (or even sometimes checks). In fact, if you have online access to your checking account, you can usually see debit card transactions within minutes of making them.
Just as with ATM transactions, be sure to record debit card transactions in your checking account register as soon as you've made them. This way, you always know the balance in your account so you can avoid overdrawing the account or bouncing a check.