You'll come out ahead. Buy checks elsewhere. Instead of paying inflated prices for checks at your bank, get them directly from a printer. Limit ATM use. Limit your ATM visits to once or twice a month and then carefully monitor where the money goes.
Debit cards are about as safe as carrying cash.
You're stuck with all the bills. At an Internet bank, you can get direct deposit of your salary check, pay some bills automatically and settle the rest online or with your regular checkbook. Internet banks also assess lower fees and pay higher interest rates. Copyright 1999, Focus on the Family. All rights reserved.