How can one minimize these fees?

Well, you're definitely not alone in this one. What I've found works best for me is regularly monitoring my accounts. I glance over them almost daily. This way, I can quickly spot any incoming fees and challenge them if necessary.

Another trick I use is setting up direct debits for bills. This is a good way to avoid those pesky late payment fees. As an added bonus, many companies even offer discounts for setting up these auto-payments.

One more thing, have you ever thought about utilizing fee-free options, like online banking or using only your bank’s ATMs to avoid those annoying out-of-network charges? There's a bunch of little tweaks you can make to your banking habits that can add up to quite a lot in saved fees.

Less conventional, but potentially beneficial, is the idea of negotiating with your bank. If you've been with them a long time and have generally made your payments on time, they might be more willing to waive some fees.

Remember, they want to keep your business, so it doesn't hurt to ask! What strategies have others found helpful?