Overdraft Fees

I heard on AM radio this morning that the total amount that banks made on overdraft fees was about 17.5 billion dollars last year. That is outrageous, I wonder what the banks are doing with all that money. I'm sure everyone knows about overdraft fees and the best way to avoid them is good management of your checking account. I don't think that most people write checks knowing the money is not there (well I hope not) I really think it's more of a matter of judging and timing when deposits will clear or when other charges will hit.



What ways (free ways) do you avoid overdraft fees?