Fees aren't just annoying--they're expensive. A few monthly surcharges can add up to hundreds of dollars a year. That's money you could use to save for retirement, give to charity, or enjoy a really nice dinner or two.

The good news is that most of these fees are avoidable, especially if you're willing to make a couple of phone calls and threaten to take your business elsewhere. Take a look.

Credit Cards: Annual Fees

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The simplest way to bypass annual fees--which often run between $50 and $100 but can go much higher--is to choose cards that don't charge them. Plenty of great rewards cards, which offer cash back, miles or points on your purchases, come with no annual fee; Citi Double Cash Mastercard and PenFed Pathfinder Rewards American Express are among our favorites.

Cards that carry annual fees typically offer heightened rewards, and the fee may be worth paying if you gain enough in rewards and benefits to make up for it. But if you're not getting enough bang for your buck, the issuer may cut you a break. A recent survey showed that 70% of those who asked had the annual fee lowered or waived. Some cards waive the