In either use, readability is not really the issue. For the desired result (no date, no payment) the where clause is correct as it eliminates all "no date" items. In the situation of ignoring "no date" items unless that is the only item(s), the (yes) somewhat confusing order by method would at least offer the existence of such a record.

Noting also that I hadn't seen the subsequent "reasons" for the question before posting. :)