The main reason I have two checking (and savings) accounts are for all those places that require direct-debit and I don't want to give them access to the place where most of my money is.
So my main checking/savings account is held at a high-interest online-only bank. I use it as my main checkbook and have all of my automated payments paid out of the checking. EVERYTHING runs thru that checking so when I need to track payments/cash flow, etc, it comes back to main checking. If I have a big payment due, I move money from savings into checking, then make the payment.
Any business that requires direct access to a bank account, I give them access to my brick & Mortar credit union checking account, then top that account off with cash from my main Ally checking every month. Need cash? I use the b&m credit Union as the ATM. To me, it just makes things safer and while I'm describing it, it sounds a little complex, for me it's easier because that main account shows every single transaction. Think of it as the only person who has access to my bank, is me.
I do the same thing with email -- I have one true email, then a bunch of other throwaways that forward into my real email. That way I walk away from Spam every few years, and I simplify my life.
