"… write your account number on checks that you mail. What a pain. I did this for a year or 2, haven’t in decades."

-----That is one thing you DON'T want to skip. My mother used not to put her account number on the check. Then an employee of the credit card company stole her payment. It cost her fees and a lot of time before they were able to track it down. The card company reimbursed her for the fees, but it was still a gigantic hassle. If you are concerned about someone getting your account number, just write the last 4 digits. That's all they need to identify you ... notice that's what they ask for when you call with an inquiry?