So you graduated! You got a high school diploma, cap & gown—and a long list of new responsibilities. Now you can look forward to juggling food costs, school supplies, and social life. To ensure everything goes smoothly, you should open a checking account if you don’t already have one.

A checking account is a simple way to manage all your money coming in and going out.

Contrary to the name, checking accounts aren't just about writing checks: in addition to helping you manage your money, they can make it easier to track your day-to-day spending. And while you can use it to write checks, a debit card or mobile wallet linked to your account allows you to swipe on the go and get cash at an ATM.

Not only does a checking account gives you access to your money, but it also provides a safe and convenient place to deposit cash, checks, and student loans and lets you easily withdraw your money when needed. You can even do some of these transactions automatically—many employers offer automatic deposits, and many banks allow you to use electronic payment tools to automatically send money to and from your friends or family members.

There are several reasons why opening a checking account is a good idea at this stage in your life:

Establishing Financial Independence - Opening a checking account is an important step towards financial independence. It allows you to manage your own money and take control of your personal finances.

Safe and Secure Storage of Funds - With a checking account, you can keep your money in a safe and secure place. It eliminates the risk of carrying large sums of cash, which can be lost or stolen.

Convenient Payment Options - A checking account provides access to various payment options, such as writing checks, using a debit card, or making electronic transfers. These options make it easier to pay bills, make purchases, and manage your expenses.

Building a Banking Relationship - Opening a checking account at Better Banks allows you to establish a relationship with a local financial institution established in the community. This relationship can be valuable for future financial needs, such as obtaining loans or other banking services.

Learning Financial Responsibility - A checking account allows you to learn financial responsibility. It encourages you to track their spending, manage a budget, and understand the importance of balancing your account.

Access to Additional Banking Services - Opening a checking account at Better Banks provides access to other financial products and services. This can include savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), financial education programs, and personalized customer service.

Direct Deposit and Payroll Benefits - Many employers offer the option of direct deposit, where the paycheck is deposited directly into a bank account. By having a checking account, you can take advantage of this convenient and efficient payment method.

Digital Banking - Online and mobile banking services allow you to manage your account anytime. This includes features like checking balances, transferring funds, and monitoring transactions.

What's more convenient than having a bank branch around the corner? Being able to bank from your bed. Or your couch. While streaming TV. In your pajamas.

Digital Banking lets you do just that.

Download the app so you can access your account from your phone. With the Better Banks app, you can access your account balance, deposit a check, locate ATMs, and pay a bill or a person (P2P). A good banking app should be able to do all of these things.

You should also be able to set up balance alerts for your account. You can set an alert for an amount like $50, and if your account goes below that threshold, you get a text or email to know you're running low and can transfer money to cover your expenses. That way, you’ll never overdraw your account.

There’s a lot to learn at this stage of life, but with the right tools, and the right bank, your finances will be a piece of cake, and you can focus on school.