It amazes me that banks are allowed to blindside customers with these ridiculous charges, yet the government goes after payroll advance places which will soon be nomore.
It takes a little while to setup, and a while to get used to, but what I have found to work the best for me is having a checking account, a high yield online savings account, and an american express card. Deposit check into checking account. Transfer most to online savings (keep some in checking for emergency). Money sits in online savings accruing interest. This account also allows you to pay bills online for free. Buy everything with American Express. Make sure you dont spend more than you have and pay off in full every month. You money collected a little intrest through the month, and Amex pays you a rebate every year for your spending, which for me equals almost a grand, and I didnt pay any interest. So they payed me to use the card, and I made some interest on the cash until the statement comes around. i dont know if that made much sence, but it works.