Really, when you get your first job (even part-time), you should go ahead and get a savings account and a checking account.

Here are the basics of how the checking account system works:
You put some money in your checking account...  You write a check to someone to pay for something...  That company gives your check to their bank...  Their banks then gets the money from your bank and your bank takes it out of your account.

And, when the check comes back to your bank and there's not enough money in your account (even by a penny), it's called "bouncing a check."  Writing a bad check is illegal.  Really.  You can lose the privilege of writing checks and you can even go to jail for it!  The very least that will happen is that your bank will charge you a $25 penalty fee.  Ouch, that's gotta hurt!

Here's what a check looks like:

 Here's what all this stuff is:

The bank's routing number is kind of like its electronic address.  It tells the other banks where to go for the money.  Your account number is your checking account number, not your savings account number.  When you get your checks, you'll see that they are all numbered like the pages in a book.  You and your bank will use these numbers to keep track of who you're giving your money to. 

One more thing:  When you get your checks, make sure you put your phone number on them...  If you don't, EVERYONE will ask you to and it will be a pain.  Why do they want your phone number?  So they know who to call and yell at if your check bounces!

Here's how you fill it out:

The reason they make you write out the amount in numbers and in words is because some of you have pretty messy writing... and, this way, if they can't read one, they can double-check it with the other.

There are a ton of questions to ask when you want to open a checking account.  Of course, the easiest thing is to just go to the bank your parents use, but things may be different for you since you have less money.  Here's the list of what to look out for:

• Do they offer special "student" checking accounts?
• Does the checking account pay interest?  (Most don't, but it's nice if you can get it.)
• Do you have to keep a minimum amount (balance) in the account and, if you drop below, will there be a penalty?
• Is there a minimum balance needed to open the account?
• Is there a "per check" change?  Some banks charge you each time you write a check and some don't.  Per check charges are bad.  Some may let you write 10 checks for free each month and charge you after that.  This may be all you need and not be a bad deal.
• Is there a monthly charge?
• Is there a maximum amount of checks you can write each month? 
• How much do the checks cost?  Yes, you have to buy your checks.  They come in big boxes and usually cost $8-$20 per box.  The plain ones are the cheapest.  Anything else (like with little cutesy flowers) is a waste of money.  Keep in mind that the $8-$20 that you pay for the checks comes out of your checking account!  When I was a teenager, I bounced my first (and only) check because of this...  The cost of the checks made me just THREE cents short.  Ouch!
• What's the fee for bouncing a check?  (It might happen, even if you are trying to be careful.  Even a penny off is too much.)
• Is there "over draft protection?"  If you have a savings account at the bank too (with actual money in it), you can have your checking account attached to your savings account so that, if you bounce a check, the bank will automatically take the money out of your savings to cover it.  Ask them if there's a fee for this and how many times they'll do it in a month.
• Can you check your balance over the phone?  Is there a fee for this?

One other thing:  There are two kinds of check books -- the kind that have a carbon (with these, you keep the carbons for your records) and the kind without a carbon (with these, you'll get your original checks back for your records.)  Some people like one and some like the other.  Personally, I'm a carbon freak.  Then, if I forget who I gave check #3323 to (and for what amount), I don't have to worry, since I can just look back at the carbon.

I know it seems like a lot to worry about, but you'll get the hang of it.

Always, always, ALWAYS keep track of the checks you write and how much is in your checking account.  I did say, "ALWAYS", didn't I? 

Your check books will come with a little booklet that will have spaces for you to write down all your check amounts.  When you put new money into your checking account, you'll put it in this booklet too.  With a little addition and subtraction, you'll always know how much money is in your checking account and you won't ever bounce a check (hopefully).