... in addition to mailing the junk back with payments, I used to (and still do when in the right mood) fold the check over the junk mail inside the envelope (with the fold of the check UP). MOST big companies that recieve a high volume of payments use automatic letter openers, the fold in your check is sliced in half when the letter is opened. When I do it, 75% of my checks are delayed in clearing the bank because they are taped back together and sent to the bank, the bank has to cancel them by hand or attach a new bottom edge to the check with the coding on the check so the machins can 'read' the checks and debit the correct account.

If you fold a thin peice of metal over the bill like a lid of a can, the delays are much longer and the check is in much worse shape! I can only guess that the 87 bills benind yours are 'eaten' in the machine too before someone stopps it! LOL

When I was first married and REALLY poor I used to reverse the addresses and drop the mail in a post pick-up box. When they 'returned the mail to sender' for lack of postage it was sent to the place I needed it to go, saving me a few dollars postage every month. THAT'S HARD UP but resourseful! LOL