PaperChecking

If you're one of the many people planning to start using more paper checks to avoid incurring a monthly debit-card fee, think again. While many merchants continue to accept paper checks, some are moving in the opposite direction, among them national grocery store chain Whole Foods.

Though it seems bankers are doing everything but adding a black cape and a twirling mustache to their wardrobes these days, and bank fees continue to be as insane as usual, not everything about your local bank is necessarily bad. Rewards checking accounts are still one of the few bright spots...