Who: This is a post for people who are afflicted with or know someone who is afflicted with ATM-itis.
What: This post will discuss how to optimize your ATM transactions and avoid unnecessary fees.

Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are everywhere. They lure you in and pretend to give you money, when in actuality, they TAKE your money. They are evil creatures with bad intentions. They show up in the most random places, even at the edge of the universe, as you can see here:

With ATMs so accessible, you know what drives me crazy? Those people that go to the ATM 2-3 times/week and withdraw $20 each time. This is ESPECIALLY gut wrenching when they are willing to be charged between $2.00 and $4.00 EACH time they make withdrawal. That is almost $5-10 wasted EVERY week.

Here are some tips to stop the ATM addiction, and save some money while you’re at it.

1) BUDGET - Figure out how much you will need for a week or for a month worth of cash spending and take the money out and keep it safely in your room! Take out how much you need every few days or every week and keep the rest out of reach! Easy, a built in ATM with no fees.

2) USE A CREDIT CARD - There are plenty of reasons to use a credit card. One of them is that you don’t need to spend all your lunch money on ATM fees.

3) KEEP EMERGENCY MONEY IN WALLET - In case of emergencies, when you may need SOME money immediately, just hide a Jefferson in a rarely used pocket of your wallet. So if you get the midnight munchies, you can take it out (but is this a REAL emergency? You tell me.)

4) GO TO A BANK TELLER, YOU ANTI-SOCIAL BUM - It may take you a few more minutes, but if you go during a non-peak time you should be able to get money quickly and easily by just speaking to a bank teller. Don’t pay those lame fees.

And, if you go to ATM’s that don’t charge you fees? Ignore this post and pat yourself on the back.

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