Writing a check can seem like a slog, especially when you’re in a hurry. It requires you to manually input the date, the recipient’s information, the amount paid, and possibly other details on the memo line. Tap-to-pay and other digital options are far quicker alternatives, but when it comes to your money, speed and convenience aren’t always the right route to pursue.

Although check use has been steadily declining—especially since the pandemic, when contactless payments became preferable or even the only option from some merchants—your checkbook can still be useful. Here are some situations when you still might need to write one.

The history of checks

First developed in the Middle East a thousand years ago, these numbered paper slips have since been used to securely pay for goods or services. In fact, John Hancock famously used them as part of his export business to deliver large sums of money across long distances, which was a far safer and more manageable alternative to delivering paper money and coins. Though these perks might now seem obsolete, checks still offer similar benefits today, alongside others you may not realize.

Think before you spend

Faster, digitized payment options are highly convenient, especially for merchants. After all, it’s in their best interest, not yours, that you make fast payments and forget about them. However, writing a check requires a time investment, and this interval could stop you from making impulse buys. It can also help you think about the price you’re paying and identify discrepancies or inconsistencies (e.g., you are accidentally overbilled at a register or previously unmentioned fees and taxes are added at the last minute).

Stick to a budget

Balancing a checkbook may seem like a chore, but it’s a very regimented way to look back at the payments you’ve made and calculate how each one impacts your account. Whether you’re saving up for a big purchase or trying to limit your spending, the tactile experience of writing down each transaction can help you better manage your purchases and preserve your account balance.

Delay payment

When you tap-to-pay or swipe a debit card, that money almost instantly leaves your bank account. Likewise, cash is gone the moment it passes into a merchant’s hands. But when you write a check, you have a small grace period between handing over the check and it being cashed, which can be helpful if you’re waiting to receive a paycheck, digital deposit, or another bump to your finances. Sure, delaying payment is the key advantage of using a credit card, but writing a check won’t incur interest.

Sending substantial funds

Believe it or not, writing a check is the preferred payment option for some transactions, including making large charitable donations and contributing to fundraisers. Checks may be more secure than digital transactions, easier to manage than cash, and don’t require the recipient to pay any credit card vendor fees.

An alternative to giving cash

Apps like Venmo and Apple Cash are popular, but they’re by no means universal. If you’re gifting funds to a loved one, loaning someone money, or paying them back what you borrowed, writing a check is a more secure option than giving cash to a person who doesn’t use a payment app. What if the recipient loses the check? You can contact your bank to stop payment, making it non-cashable; you can then write them another. If they lose cash, that money cannot be replaced.

Being realistic

While all the prior info is worth noting, it’s also important to know that you can’t simply return to the days of relying on checkbooks. After all, most major retailers no longer accept them, and they’re virtually impossible to use when making transactions over the internet. Worse, their slow delivery times in the mail could lead to late payments for your mortgage, credit card, or other bills, all of which can add up to serious late fees and impact your credit rating. And finally, don’t forget that many banks issue checkbooks at a small cost. But that doesn’t mean the checkbook has lost all its purpose. You may find that dusting off yours or ordering a set offers certain monetary advantages.

For more information on managing your funds wisely, speak with a financial professional.