Your Money: Where paper checks persist

Most of us pay for items or transfer money using digital payment products. So why the persistence of paper checks?

View in browser|nytimes.com July 15, 2024 By Ron Lieber Welcome back from the weekend. Most of us pay for items or transfer money using digital payment products at least some of the time nowadays. So what gives with the persistence of paper checks? We're taking a look at industries and billers that still rely heavily on checks. If you own a business or know of one where checks are required or still dominate — or you have to use checks to pay (including for governmental services), please drop me a note at lieber@nytimes.com. We're especially curious about the "why" of the persistence of checks, even as check fraud runs rampant. Caroline Gutman for The New York Times A Money Guru Bet Big on a Very Long Life. Then He Got Cancer. Jonathan Clements, a longtime personal finance columnist for The Wall Street Journal, has a lot of savings. He's not mad that a fatal illness will keep him from spending it. By Ron Lieber Does America's largest health care company control your doctor's office? 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With Fortitude Ranch, the entrepreneur Drew Miller is betting on franchised timeshares for people who are worried about the end of the world. By Alexander Nazaryan and Emily Najera For L.G.B.T.Q. People, Moving to Friendlier States Comes With a Cost Laws targeting gender-affirming care have uprooted thousands. But places that are more supportive can also be more expensive. By Lydia DePillis Strategies The Election Muddle Aside, Investing Has Been a Snap Lately Stocks prospered in the first half of 2024 but national politics clouds the outlook. By Jeff Sommer Costco Raises Membership Fees for First Time in 7 Years An increase of more than 8 percent will take effect on Sept. 1. The base membership will go up by $5, to $65 per year. By Hank Sanders Promised Cures, Tainted Cells: How Cord Blood Banks Mislead Parents Families pay thousands of dollars to store their children's stem cells with the hope of a healthier future. But the cells are rarely useful, and sometimes contaminated. By Sarah Kliff and Azeen Ghorayshi What Parents Should Know About Cord Blood Banking Millions of parents have paid to bank blood from their infants' umbilical cords. But storage companies have misled them about the cells' promise. By Sarah Kliff They Hit Their Health Care Deductible. It Was Time to Party. Some of those grappling with high health care costs are finding ways to celebrate small wins and build a sense of community. By Connie Chang Frugal Traveler How to Avoid Paying Vacation Rental Fees It takes some work to find a rental you can book directly, but the payoff can be significant. By Elaine Glusac Thinking About a Mississippi River Cruise? There's One Big 'If.' Though operators are building ships, and towns are investing in landings and other infrastructure, fluctuations in the river's flow, exacerbated by climate change, are hampering sailings. By Rowan Moore Gerety Copenhagen Tries Rewards for Good Tourist Behavior The Danish capital is offering free museum tours, art workshops and more to visitors who take part in climate-friendly initiatives. By Ceylan Yeğinsu How are we doing? We'd love your feedback on this newsletter. Please email thoughts and suggestions to yourmoney_newsletter@nytimes.com. Like this email? Forward it to your friends, and let them know they can sign up Your Money. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Your Money from The New York Times. To stop receiving Your Money, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. 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