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Check cashing fees strike fast, so you really have to watch it.

Always ask for the fee in dollar amounts. Always insist on an itemized receipt.

Many check cashing stores post their fees in percentages, leaving you unsure of what it really costs to cash a check. Make sure they tell you the fee in a dollar amount so you clearly understand the costs.

Did you know that fees may change depending on the time of day and the employee who cashes your check?

Ask for an itemized receipt that lists the amount of the check, the fee, and the amount of cash received. Then compare the amounts with the fees you were told or were posted at the store.

Bank checking is a cheaper way to cash checks.

If you don’t have a bank checking account, you should consider it. The monthly fees for a basic checking account are usually less than the fee a check cashing store charges to cash just one check.

Even if you don't have an account, most banks, savings and loans, and credit unions will cash government and payroll checks for less than what check-cashing stores charge.

Check into some great alternatives.

Many banks and credit unions now offer alternatives to payday loans and check-cashing stores – at a fraction of the cost. The alternative products include quick cash loans and checking accounts for those on Chex Systems and ITIN programs.

The following places are willing to help people open checking accounts, even those who have had past problems with chex systems.

The government will cash your federal benefit or salary checks.

If you receive a federal benefit, wage, salary, or retirement benefit, you can open an Electronic Transfer Account (ETA). Designed by the U.S. Treasury, an ETA is a new type of bank account that lets you receive your federal government payments electronically, through direct deposit, for a cost of $3.00 or less. You can make a minimum of four cash withdrawals and four balance inquiries per month. Check with your local bank today to see if it offers this service, and to learn what the specific requirements are to open an ETA account.

The U.S. Department of Treasury maintains a Web site that explains ETA accounts - in English and Spanish - and provides a locator service to find the nearest ETA location offering this service. Visit it at http://www.eta-find.gov.