Can I add bank accounts manually to Simple Start and post my checks and deposits manually

Your confusion ends here, @rdbowers39-msn-c.

Yes, you can add your bank accounts in QuickBooks Online (QBO) Simple Start and post your checks and deposits manually. To do so, you can follow the steps below:

1. Sign in to your QBO account.
2. Click the Gear icon, then select Chart of Accounts.
3. Select New.
4. From the Account Type drop-down, select Bank. 
5. Then, select the Detail Type from the drop-down.
6. Enter the name of the bank.
7. Click Save and Close.

Once done, you'll be able to select your bank account when creating checks and deposits manually. I'm adding this article for more guidance: Add an account to your chart of accounts in QuickBooks Online.

If you're ready to connect your bank account to QBO, you can check out this article for the detailed steps and information: Connect bank and credit card accounts to QuickBooks Online.

Furthermore, you might also want to learn about categorizing bank transactions in QBO. This will help you put your transactions in the correct accounts.

Should you need any additional assistance adding your bank accounts, you can leave a comment below. I'll be sure to get back to you, @rdbowers39-msn-c.