With all the fuss that's been going on about overdraft fees and how banks have been making significant income from them, one can't help but wonder if there are other ways to avoid these costs

Here's a good way to conceptualize how much overdraft fees can pile up for repeat users: If a room of 100 people were asked if they had been charged two or more overdraft fees in the past 6 months, only 16 would raise their hands.

Next to credit card interest rate hikes, late charges, and annual fees, bank overdraft fees are next in the long list of payables that consumers are being burdened with these days.

As the recession plummets upon us, we would hope that the government and financial services, such as banks, would do all that they can to help ease the clamor and chaos. Depending on your bank and credit score, you just may be one of the few rescued from overdraft fees, or someone continually traumatized by them.