From reading various threads here, it sounds like there's a difference in the US between a debit card and a ATM card? I am a bit confused at what features are for each etc.
Here in Canada, its called either/or (debit or ATM, interchangeable). It works to direct pay at cashiers as well as to withdraw from the ATM machines. It is not a credit card, it is only accessing the balance of cash in your account.
Our cards have always worked this way and it is pretty much automatic to have one issued the minute you open a bank account. I maybe go physically into a bank building a couple times a year. Maybe less. I access my account online to pay bills, or review my transactions and balance, deposits etc. If using withdrawls from the ATM, it is easy to maintain a current balance in your mind from your reciept. If I'm paying direct to the cashier and making multiple purchases, I tend to be uber cognizant of how much I've spent vs what I knew my balance to be. Sometimes I simply make a larger withdrawl of cash from a ATM before hitting multiple stores (the mall, etc) so that I know from the get go what I'm spending in cash.
I'm super curious about the differences in these cards for all of you in the US.
And its funny to read so often how popular cheques still are. Here, pretty much you give post dated cheques if you rent a apartment (I give 12 months in advance when I sign my yearly lease). Otherwise, the only time I ever write a cheque is for book orders from Scholastic if easy child wants to order something. So keeping track of cheques outstanding is pretty simple. All other bills I just use the online banking and pay and instantly see the payment go through and my new balance. I find it so easy to never lose track of what is coming in and going out etc. I don't have to worry about NSF fees for bouncing a check. And our ATM/debit cards don't allow you to spend beyond a $0.00 balance, so no risk of ever going into overdraft. Unless you have a overdraft protection on your account (usually about $500) and then you just pay a very nominal fee/interest when you top your account back up. I have always refused the overdraft protection, I like never having an option to overspend beyond what you actually have.