Gregory's Server@batalanto @simon @adam
Not being familiar with US banking,
We tend to get a debit card directly from the bank, which can be used to draw cash from the bank ATM's (Any bank, a lot of big shops also provide them for free but smaller operators charge you to draw money. they are all linked) and can be used for purchases, the money comes straight out of your current account.
A lot of people also have a credit card, may be issued by your bank, or you can sign up with another supplier.
@BrianSmith950 @batalanto @adam while this is all a bit OT: cheques haven't been a thing in most of western Europe for at least half a century. Essentially they died out as soon as salaries started getting paid by bank transfers/wires. I've never actually wrote out a personal cheque (and I've maybe cashed perhaps max a dozen or so, probable not even that many).