Overcharged for Overdrafts

Here are some things you can do to take the sting out of unreasonable bank fees:

Get a Better Deal. If you’ve got a decent credit rating, you’ll likely qualify for actual overdraft protection that ties into your savings account, credit card, or a small line of credit activated by an overdraft. Many banks offer the service with no monthly fee.

Cook Your Books. Build in a cushion by subtracting $100 from your ledger balance. If you forget to enter a small check in the register, you be less likely to overdraw your account.

Cancel Your Account. If you’re stung by an overdraft fee, go tell the branch manager that you are canceling your account if the bank won’t waive the fee. She’ll either waive the fee or say, “Go ahead.” Either way, you’ll be better off.