Banking costs can creep up without you noticing. Even though a bank account is supposed to help you hold onto your money, monthly maintenance fees and other charges can take a real bite out of it. Here are some practical ways to cut what you’re paying the bank.

Combine accounts to meet minimums

Many banks waive monthly fees if you keep a minimum balance — but keeping too much in a low-interest checking account means missing out on the interest a savings account could earn. A common fix is to use a bank with free checking linked to a savings account, keeping only what you need for near-term bills in checking while the rest earns interest in savings.

Understand the average daily balance method

Free checking doesn’t help much if your balance dips below the minimum even briefly and triggers a fee. Some banks use an “average daily balance” method instead, which looks at your balance over the whole statement period rather than penalizing a single low day — worth asking about if your balance fluctuates.

Shop around before you borrow

Interest rates on loans — for a car, a home, or anything else — can vary significantly between banks. It’s worth comparing rates from a few different banks or credit unions before borrowing rather than automatically using your current bank.

Avoid ATM fees

Using an out-of-network ATM can cost a flat fee just to access your own money. On a $100 withdrawal, a $3 ATM fee is effectively a 3% surcharge — sticking to your own bank’s ATMs, or a fee-free network, avoids that entirely.

Balance your checkbook

A bounced check can trigger a fee of $25 or more per check — and if several checks bounce around the same time, those fees add up fast. Keeping a running balance and checking it before you spend is the simplest way to avoid the penalty entirely.

Use free online banking

Some banks still charge a monthly fee for online banking or for each bill paid electronically. Most banks now offer these services for free, so if yours doesn’t, it may be worth switching.

The bottom line: it’s easier to hold onto money you already have than to earn more of it. A few minutes spent understanding your bank’s fee structure can save real money over the course of a year.