Don't Pay Fees for a Checking Account

Imagine that you're trying to make due on less money than in the past. For too long, you feel like you're treading water just to pay your bills. To make matters worse, your bank piles on the fees. In many cases, your bank can benefit from your lower income. How so? Lower checking account balances mean more Monthly Service Fees and more customers overdrawing accounts... people begin missing minimum balance requirements on checking accounts they've had for years; people with impeccable history begin overdrawing to pay bills. And it's a bonanza for them because only a small percentage of these customers switch their checking accounts or leave the bank.

You can do something though. There are simply too many other options available -- including great community banks and credit unions -- to accept paying fees for a checking account. Here are some simple tips to avoid common checking account fees: