These cards have become increasingly popular and today account for $600 billion in transactions, or one of every three retail transactions, according to CardWeb.com, a group that tracks credit card activity.

Debit cards bear the Visa or MasterCard logo and subtract purchases from the amount in your checking account.

Not only are these cards easy to use, but they are much more convenient than checks. You may have to show an identification card, but you don’t have to wait for a clerk to copy all of your personal identification onto the check and then dial in for an approval.

A recent Visa USA poll shows that younger people are opting increasingly for debit transactions, not only for the convenience but because it helps them track their expenses. With a debit card, you can deduct the money from your checking account, keeping a close eye on your balance.