On average, it could cost those consumers $24 per month, which is $288 per year. Here is a quick tip on how to avoid checking account fees:
- Do your homework before you open the account. Only about half of non-interest checking accounts are free, but the vast majority become free when certain requirements are met, such as maintaining a set minimum balance or having your paycheck directly deposited.
- Ask yourself what works for you. If you withdraw cash a lot, find a bank that reimburses you for out-of-network ATM fees. If you rarely visit a bank, make an account with an online bank. Also, online banks may have lower account fees!
- Regularly check your account balance, or set up low-balance alerts. Two of the most common charges are overdraft fees and non-sufficient funds. You could also try to find a bank that waives overdraft fees.
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