The End Of Overdraft Fees? - More Perfect Union

[Oopsie Daisy]

2. When I was younger and irresponsible, I frequently "bounced checks" and had overdraft fees.

Some checks were returned as NSF, other small amounts were paid anyway (saving me the embarrassment and expense and hassle at the retailer or power company).

Somewhere along the line, I got smart and started balancing my checkbook after every check written (not at the end of the day, or the end of the week, but right at that moment). At that point, I never wrote a check for more money that I had in my account.

Back in those days, there was a day or two of "float" before a check was actually received at my bank, and I could RACE a check to the bank to deposit funds to cover my check. Sometimes it worked, sometimes not.

These days, it's damn-near instant. With Debit-Cards and even paper checks are scanned and processed at the cash register, INSTANTLY. No more floating/racing is possible, I guess.