"Available balance" on bank account means what?

Question

If my current balance reads "$ 10" and my available balance in online banking page reads "$ 200," does that mean that I can go today and buy $200 worth of things? In other words, which one of these numbers should I take into account when I buy things "right now?"

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

skint.

Answer 2

Typically, your available balance is what's available to use to buy things.  I must say, I've never seen an available balance higher than a current balance.

Answer 3

Available balance means that as far as the bank knows, that's what they say you have, I'd go with the balance that I knew about, the bank balance won't show if you have checks out there that haven't made it to your bank yet.  It's better to be safe than sorry.  

Answer 4

yea you could spend $200 but you only in reality have $10 so if you spend $200 you'll be $-180 and then they would charge you for overdraws  

Answer 5

Available balance - it's money, u can send/withdrawal.. It's ur money. Ur balance on moment.

Answer 6

~~I'm assuming your own personal running balance shows $10 and the bank is showing $200.  This would just mean something you have deducted has not been deducted from your bank balance and I assure you it will. It just takes a few days sometimes before the bank processes the paperwork. My son has gotten more NSF charges because of going by the bank balance instead of keeping his own. If you made a mistake on your register you will find it on your monthly statement and then you correct your check register. Otherwise only go by your register as you can't overdraw yourself this way!~~