For millennials first venturing out into the adult world, choosing a checking account can seem daunting. There are so many options, all encased in intentionally difficult-to-understand fine print and conditions. But if you keep a few simple things in mind, finding a checking account that fits your needs becomes a lot easier. Below is a short checklist of things to look for when shopping for a checking account.

Choosing A Checking Account: A Checklist

Will you be writing or cashing a lot of checks?

If you work in a profession where people are writing you checks frequently, make sure to choose a bank with a nearby branch. Online-only banks make deposits much more difficult and time-consuming – it can take up to a week for deposits to clear. So for those freelancers out there (you know who you are!), take a look around your neighborhood and start there.

Do you travel a lot?

If you’re frequently away from home, make sure to find a bank with lots of ATM locations all over the place. This way, you can deposit money whenever you need to, and also avoid tons of ATM fees.

Will you overdraw?

For those of us living paycheck-to-paycheck, the risk of overdrawing your checking account is very real. If this describes you, you may want to pony up for overdraft protection when choosing a checking account. If not, you’re likely to pay fees many times the amount of the actual check. But if you’re unlikely to overdraw, there’s no need to pay for the service.

Which accounts have the fewest fees?

Banks will charge you fees for everything – for writing too many checks; for monthly “maintenance,” whatever the hell that is; and for basically anything else they can get away with. So look for banks – brick-and-mortar or online – that keep those fees to a minimum, or eliminate them entirely. You are more likely to have good luck at this with online banks, as they don’t have to pay rent on a ton of offices the way IRL banks do.

Is there a minimum balance requirement?

Related to the fees issue, above. Many banks will charge you a fee if there’s too little money in your account. Since checking accounts traditionally have lower interest rates than almost any other financial product, this is yet another scam by the banks. You should keep only the money in your checking account that you need to pay your bills. So look around for banks that eliminate the minimum balance requirement, or keep it very low.

What’s the situation with ATM fees?

Using out-of-network ATMs is a bad idea in general. However, some banks and credit unions will cover those fees for you. So do your research – find out how many ATMs there are in your immediate area, and figure out the fees and reimbursements if you’re forced to use an ATM outside of your network.

If you follow all of these steps, you’ll easily find a checking account that’s right for you. Happy hunting, and make sure to read the fine print!