While the ten-pack of free checks might seem a bit much, don’t throw them away just yet. Checks are playing a diminishing role in everyday life, but they still have their uses.

In the past, paper checks were the preferred method for paying for large purchases, getting paid, sending money, paying bills, etc.. But now when you walk into a store, the most likely thing coming out of your wallet is your debit or credit card. Getting paid? Companies can now directly deposit into your checking account without you ever having to go to the bank. The reason for the shift away from paper checks is simple – ease of use. Writing a check can be a hassle: it takes time to fill it out, you have to go to a bank to deposit one, and you always have to order more. For these reasons and more, banks have mostly transitioned to electronic forms of check processing and even utility companies are now accepting credit/debit card payments.

Even though paper checks are definitely on their way out, they still serve some vital financial roles. Checks are a great way to securely send large sums of money to individual people. If you are renting an apartment, for example, you’d be very lucky to find a landlord that would accept a credit card to pay rent. It’s not hard to imagine though, that soon this process will be replaced by an easier electronic method.

While paper checks will probably one day become extinct, you’re still likely to find yourself digging them out once a month or so.