When you balance a checkbook in the old way with a check register, the first step is to make sure that you have listed all the withdrawals you've made during the period in question. This includes checks you have written, whether or not they have been cashed by the other party. This also includes ATM withdrawals and anything you've purchased electronically directly from your bank account. Once everything is listed, you can begin to subtract each item from your balance. The final figure should match the figure on your bank statement.