Beth I feel your pain, that is why several years ago I adopted a new system.I pay all my bills with my credit card. I have a savings account only. My checking accounts never balanced no matter which bank I did business with. Always a hidden fee or something to deal with.At the end of each month I pay 15.00 to my bank to withdraw the funds needed from my savings account and pay off my credit card completely. It builds my credit, my bills are never late and I don't pay a fee ever. the only expense I have is for the bank check at the end of the month. I have been doing this for several years now and I have had no problems and my credit rating is through the roof!!The 15.00 fee you would be paying anyway for a checking account for "bank maintainance" so there is no difference except for the fact that you don't get ripped off by banks anymore.For those few people I deal with who don't except credit cards, they get a money order.