I bought a box of checks many years ago when we got married and still have a book or two in the box not used (and stamps are to mail birthday and Christmas cards). Online bill pay is so much easier.

...

We write very few checks, most all payments through bank bill pay. We receive bill notices from either bank and/or company. This has worked very well for us. We had a real problem receiving forwarded bills when we were snowbirds. As a note, we are still on our old Maryland neighborhood email mailing list. Our old neighbors are having a problem receiving their mail at their residences. Several have been hit with late payment charges. We believe electronic bill pay and email notices are a much safer way to go.

No Paper bills.... Push or Pull is the only way to go!

Another problem with writing checks is that your names, address, and checking account number are out there for all to see.

I am closing on a home in TV in less than four weeks. I'm still trying to sell my place up north so I won't be living in TV for a while. Can somebody explain what the difference is between push and pull payments.

use credit cards and ach for all recurring payments, have all credit cards payed automaticly from your bank accounts and or brokerage accounts--so far I've gotten close to $1500.00-cash back (since Jan 1)by using several credit cards for dining, buying gas, travel, etc-===and its tax free

Terms as used by the original poster (OP) ...

A "push" payment is where you are signing in to an online banking system and scheduling a payment to a payee, in the amount you choose, to be paid when you choose. It requires thought and action on your part.

A "pull" payment is where you are authorizing a payee to go into your bank account and take what they think you owe, when they think you owe it. You give control to the payee.

Thank you. Now I understand... I prefer to use push payments from my credit card when possible.

Automatic payments work best for travelers
 

Do what mountaineer and I do--its free worry free $$$--if you pay with cash for every day purchases and recurring bills, you're throwing $$$ away

There is one vendor I will not give access to checking or credit accts is Comcast when I used them. Every month a new charge that had to be disputed. All others, utilities etc either auto debit, credit cards I would adjudicate first.

when you use a credit card you've got 1000 lb gorilla in your corner to dispute a charge, service, etc. also you've got additional warranty backing