O.K. I got it now & those comparisons helped me to absorb the concept. I surely would have been in a money-mess if not for all the help here.

virgi--bank ATMs in Europe will not charge you either a set or % fee. Not sure where your bank got the 12% figure, but it's wrong. Be aware that there are non-bank owned ATMs some places in Europe--these can charge a fee. But it's easy to tell the difference.

Thanks Jake Maybe I heard wrong I kinda got a mental block about getting money that way. I went to my bank for a pin # and asked, and the correct fee is $2.50per transaction so that's good.