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Life in the USA is a complete guide to American life for immigrants and Americans. All materials on this siteCopyright © Elliot Essman 2007. All rights reserved. Home Back Next
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Life in the USA Personal Finance Check Cashing Stores
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Check Cashing Stores
Check cashing establishments provide a wide variety of conveniences for people who don't use banks. If you receive a paycheck and have no bank account to put it in, they will cash it for you. They'll need some identification of course, and might give you their own identification card, possibly with your photo on it (these can be useful when you need to show identification elsewhere). To make money, of course, they will keep a small percentage of the amount of the check as a fee. Bill Payments. You can also pay telephone and electric bills at these stores, usually without extra charge. Many of these stores also sell lottery tickets. If you have just arrived in the country, they are the best resource for you until you get begin more substantial banking relationships. You may even be able to find such a service run by someone who speaks your language.
Money Orders. If you don't have enough money to start a checking account, you
will have to use money orders to send money safely through the mails (NEVER SEND
CASH). These can be purchased for cash at the post office, banks, at some stores and at
special check cashing establishments. There will be a small fee for the money order.
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