How to Avoid Sneaky Fees

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You Can Save $5,363!

Think you've never been charged a sneaky fee by your bank, broker, credit-card issuer or cell-phone provider? Then you haven't looked at your bills very closely. Companies collect billions by nickel-and-diming you. It's time to stop letting them get away with it.

Click through our gallery as Kiplinger.com shows you how to save over $5,000 in six categories and then see smart tactics for dealing with pesky fees in general.

Next: Bank & Credit Card Fees

Bank and Credit Card Fees

Pay Credit Card on Time: $39
Avoid Paying by Phone: $15
Stay in Your ATM Network: $156
Avoid an Overdraft: $28

Total Annual Savings: $238

Calculations are based on one late payment per year and one weekly out-of-network ATM withdrawal.

Next: Investment Fees

Investment Fees

Make 24 Stock Trades With a Discount Broker: $480
Avoid a Quarterly Inactivity Fee: $40
Avoid a Balance-Transfer Fee: $25
Receive Electronic Statements: $24
Get a Fund With 1% Expense Ratio & No 12B-1 Fee: $250

Total Annual Savings: $819

Calculations are based on two stock trades per month at $10 per trade, and $50K invested in a stock mutual fund.

Next: Cell Phone & Land Line Fees

Cell Phone and Land Line Fees

Avoid Overage Charges: $72
Pay $5 a Month for 200 Text Messages: $15
Transfer Your Contract to Avoid Termination Fee: $156
Switch Land Line to Internet Calling Service: $28

Total Annual Savings: $832

Calculations are based on overage charges of $6 per month and text messages at 20 cents each.

Next: Car Rental Fees

Car Rental Fees

Rent Off-Site, Not the Airport: $39
Pay for Your Own Gas: $15
Turn Down Collision-Damage: $156
Use a Discount Site: $28

Total Annual Savings: $1,074

Calculations are based on four week-long rentals per year at $50 a day.

Next: Hotel Surcharges

Hotel Surcharges

Have "Resort Fee" Removed From Hotel Bill: $280
Pass Up Valet Parking: $154
Tip the Maid Yourself to Avoid "Maid Gratuity": $56
Resist the Mini Bar to Avoid Restocking Fee: $140

Total Annual Savings: $630

Calculations are based on 14 nights in a hotel per year.

Next: Airline Fees

Airline Fees

Book Direct With Airlines: $30
Order an E-Ticket, Not Paper: $240
Check Only One Bag: $300
Avoid Overweight-Bag Fee: $960
Accept Seat Assignment: $240

Total Annual Savings: $1,170

Calculations are based on six round-trip flights per year.

Next: Don't Be Fee Food

How to Fight the Fees

If your bank, for example, suddenly slaps a $5 monthly fee on your checking account, you're not necessarily bound to pay it. In fact, you can save thousands of dollars a year if you pick your battles and fight smart.

Follow the three tactics on the next slides.

Next: Call During Business Hours

Call During Business Hours

Few managers are available on weekends, and you won't get the cream of the crop among lower-level representatives. At Gethuman.com, you can find codes that let you circumvent company phone trees.

Next: Do Your Research

Do Your Research

Tabulate how much money you've spent with the company, which can boost your bargaining power. If you think you've been treated unfairly, don't hesitate to say you're considering a letter to the state attorney general.

Next: Don't Waste Your Time

Don't Waste Your Time

A $2 fee may get your goat, but you can't afford to fight every charge. Your chances of winning are directly correlated to how much leverage you have. With financial services, such as banking and credit, "consumers ultimately hold all the power because they can vote with their feet," says Greg McBride, of Bankrate.com. In fact, a survey for Sullivan's book found that customers who complain to credit-card companies get results 65% of the time.
More: Eight Ways to Make a Million

Want to Strike it Rich?

Don't just dream about striking it rich. Make it happen. To inspire you, Kiplinger looked for people who have become rich. Just how did they do it?

Click through our gallery as Kiplinger shows you how eight ordinary entrepreneurs, investors and savers reached millionaire status.

Next Gallery:
Eight Ways to Make a Million

Next:
Find $448 a Month

How to Find $448 a Month

If you're 30 years old, you need to set aside $448 per month for next 35 years to become a millionaire -- if you earn a reasonable 8% annualized return in a retirement account. Don't have $448 to spare -- or even $248? Maybe you do and don't realize it.

Click through our gallery as Kiplinger.com shows you how you can come up with the cash.

Next Gallery:
Turn Extra Cash Into $1 Million

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