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We work hard for our money and too often it seems there is little left after taxes and living expenses. To make matters worse, everywhere we turn someone has their hand out. I often feel like an ATM myself, spitting out money on command to satisfy all of the toll takers, girl scouts, and raffle ticket peddlers I encounter. The most aggravating part is when the people we entrust to safeguard our money are the ones with their hand in our pocket. Account maintenance fees are often inevitable, but I learned a long time ago how to avoid ATM fees.

It is important to first point out that an ATM is always serviced by a bank regardless of whether it is attached to a branch or inside a store. The bank logo or a sign with the bank's name will be posted somewhere on the ATM. Most banks charge a fee for non customers to use their ATM. Let's say you bank at Big Bank and want to withdrawal money from an ATM that belongs to Bigger Bank. Bigger Bank is going to exact a fee for using their ATM. The fee is typically between one and three dollars. What many people don't realize is that some banks also charge their OWN customers for using another bank's ATM. In that case, not only is Bigger Bank charging a fee but Big Bank will also impose a surcharge. That's two sets of fees for one transaction.

The first thing to do is pull out a bank statement and identify all of the fees. Common charges include maintenance fees, overdraft fees, wire fees, and fees for returning cancelled checks. Call the bank and ask for clarification on any fee you are unable to identify. Banks are required by law to disclose all of their fees. If your bank penalizes their customers for using another bank's ATM, it's time to find a new bank.

Now that you aren't being penalized by your own bank, let's look at how to avoid ATM fees from other banks. First, don't ever use another bank's ATM. Go to your own bank and make a cash or ATM withdrawal whenever possible. This is easy for customers of large banks with hundreds of braches. What about those who use small local banks with only a handful of branches?

Believe it or not, some ATMs are surcharge free. For example, the ATMs in Wawa are serviced by PNC Bank but there is no surcharge to use these machines. Your next job is to locate the surcharge free ATMs in your area. A good place to start is by visiting www.moneypass.com. Enter a zip code or address and MoneyPass will give a listing of the surcharge free ATMs in the area.

The last way to access your money for free is to get cash back on a debit card purchase. At the store, simply tell the cashier the amount you want back or enter it in the credit card processing machine. If the purchase comes to $10.75 and you want $20 back, a $30.75 debit card purchase will appear on your next statement. There are no fees for getting cash back. The downside is that stores are not required to give cash back and some don't.

Plan ahead to be sure you never find yourself in a situation where you are out of cash. Banks count on us to be ill prepared and willing to overlook the fees for the convenience of quick cash. Half of the battle is finding local surcharge free ATMs and stores that give cash back. Whatever you do, don't be fooled into thinking you should have to pay a fee to access your own money.

Learn more about this author, Kate Rosenberger.
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