Many consumers regularly rely on ATM machines not affiliated with their bank to restock their wallets. But the convenience of using such ATMs regularly can take a bite out of your savings.

Many banks charge ATM users who aren't their customers $1.50 per withdrawal. And the users' own banks may dock another $1.50 for using a foreign ATM, adding up to a $3 or so total fee. Do that twice a week and it's a not-so-paltry $312 a year.

And ATM fees are rising, according to a recent survey by Bankrate.com. The average fee banks charge a customer for using another bank's ATM was $1.35, up from $1.29 last fall, while the surcharge ATM owners charge noncustomers reached $1.40, up from $1.37. Much of that increase is due to more banks raising their fees to that "standard" $1.50, says Greg McBride, senior analyst for Bankrate.com.

How do you avoid the fee spree?

First, plan out your cash needs as thoroughly as possible, withdrawing adequate amounts -- perhaps $20 more than you expect to need -- every visit to an ATM. And time your withdrawals so you can use an ATM affiliated with your bank.

Of course, that may not be feasible if you're far from home. In that case, bring as much cash as you can with you. Also, ask for cash back while making debit-card purchases, which often doesn't trigger a fee for the service. Use signature-based debit purchases instead of entering a personal-identification number, since that tends to include fewer fees, says Mr. McBride.

You also might be lucky enough to be near a no-fee ATM. Washington Mutual's ATMs don't have one. And some small banks and credit unions have joined networks that let customers use each other's ATMs for free.