Don't let bank overdraft fees get you

Sounds like banks walked away with about $38 billion in overdraft fees last year, paid by consumers who didn't have enough money in their  accounts to cover  debit card purchases, ATM withdrawals and automatic payments.

One way to keep that fee  in your pocket instead of the banks' is to tap into your "organization skills and determination," and on a frequent and regular basis monitor just how much money you have in that bank account, says Roberta Schroder, chairwoman of the economics and finance department at Nassau Community College.

Why? If you're close to the edge, you can decide if that $6 debit card purchase is really worth the extra $30 you might have to pay in an overdraft fee. So:

Keep a tally. Each day write down in a check register or perhaps in the notes section of your smart phone just how much is being deducted from your account. And don't underestimate the power of those small, seemingly "insignificant expenditures," Schroder says.

You can also check your account online every few days -- Schroder does this first thing each morning - to monitor your balance, what's been deducted, as well as deposits, knowing you may not have access to that money right away.

Set up alerts. Most banks, as well as online money management sites like Mint.com, will shoot you an e-mail or text to alert you to low balances, debit and ATM transactions and upcoming automatic payments.

Create a cushion. Try to keep your balance from dipping below a certain amount, say, $100 or more. When you're there, you'll have to nix any spontaneous, frivolous purchases. Schroder says to look at it as "an emergency fund for your debit card."