Exactly. That is exactly what I am describing. What I would add is a built in line of credit that allows rent to be paid, bills to be paid, without a paycheck

Exactly. That is exactly what I am describing. What I would add is a built in line of credit that allows rent to be paid, bills to be paid, without a paycheck being deposited, and without needing to withdraw money from investments, money market etc. This would basically eliminate the need to keep cash in a checking account. Once per period, whatever that period is, money would move from savings to the line of credit. This line of credit would be accessible as a bank account, and as a credit card, to pay bills. What needs to be displayed to you is some equivalent to cash flow or net income combined with a budget. Knowing you spend x on rent and y on food a month, are you on track to keep cash flow positive?