I had the bank 'stop payment on' the check. = I had a 'stop payment' (order) put on the check. [=I told the bank not to take money from my account to pay for the check]
Their family is struggling to 'meet the payments on' their house. = They're struggling to keep up (with) their 'mortgage payments'.
They agreed to pay $1,000 a year for five years and then make a 'balloon payment' of $50,000 at the end of the term.
(..) In , the state senate finally clued in to the fact... ...they couldn't buy him off with just a $ check. Appropriations Committee voted an annual payment of $... ...just to shut him up. And you'd be amazed how far Andy could stretch it. He made deals with book clubs, charity groups. (..)1994 The Shawshank Redemption