1) Know your fees. Banking regulations state that your financial institution must inform their customers off all the fees that they charge. Look for a staid black and white brochure way in the back of the display with all the glitzy sales literature when you first walk in the door. Be Foolish! If you think the fees are unreasonable, tell the manager. And then walk out the door to another bank.

2) Get to know your branch manager. This is the person with the power. If you ever have a problem, he or she will make it all better. They also have the ability to reverse fees if you plead with them or make a big enough stink. (The pleading and stinking tactic, like in life in general, should be used with judicious discretion.)

3) Watch your ATM withdrawals. Depending on your bank, this is the real budget killer for most customers. In general, use ATMs belonging to your bank, go less often, and take out larger sums of money when you do.

4) Don't get robbed. Literally. It's an ugly fact of life that mean people are out to get you. Don't help them. Be aware of your surroundings. When taking money out of an ATM, stand in such a way that no one can see your password. Don't accept help from a stranger. Keep deposit slips in your car and have all of your checks and slips filled out before you approach the machine. If you feel uncomfortable at the location, go to another one, even if it means paying for a "foreign" transaction.

5) Don't use the debit card for important purchases. Banks love debit cards -- no checks to process! But consumers should beware. Some debit cards don't offer the same protection that a regular credit card does. For instance, if you're unhappy with your purchase, there's no middleman to resolve your dispute. When you use a credit card, the credit card company will follow up for you and reverse the charge if necessary.

6) Ask about special programs if you're a low-income customer. Some banks offer special low- or no-fee accounts if you're a young saver, a senior citizen with limited resources, or promise to limit your transactions to a small number each month.

7) Make sure your safety deposit box is really safe. Think that sounds like a weird thing to be worried about? Talk to a few thousand people who lost their valuables when last year's floods moved their banks to a new location.

8) Shop around for CDs. If certificates of deposit (CDs) are an investment that you feel you need, don't automatically get them from your home bank. Check out BanxQuote or a similar service for a list of the best CD rates from banks all over the country.

9) Ask if your bank encourages direct deposits. Many banks offer free checking if you have your paycheck deposited electronically into your checking account. Your employer will like you better, too.

10) Don't sweat the small stuff. Don't feel like you need to question every little $2 fee that your bank charges. They're in business to make money. But don't get taken advantage of when your bank goes over the top with a laundry list of $2 fees and takes away your favorite teller to boot.

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