Are you familiar with pre paid credit cards?  Perhaps you may notice the ads that promise instant approval for anyone- even for people with no credit history or with bad credit.  True enough, anyone can easily get a prepaid credit card regardless of his/her credit rating.  But is this type of credit card for you?

Who Should Get A Pre paid Credit Card?

While pre paid credit cards offer instant approval, it’s important to understand that these are not the same as a regular credit card.  First, prepaid cards do not provide its holders with a borrowing limit.  Second, these credit cards require the submission of a cash deposit in the cardholder’s account. Third, the cardholder can only use a prepaid credit card if there is an available balance in the account.

However, despite the limitations, those who have a problem with their credit history can use pre paid credit cards to rebuild a poor credit rating.  Through regular use of this card, the cardholder can slowly but surely build up credit history without the risk of bad debt.

Who should apply for a prepaid credit card?  If you cannot qualify for a regular credit card and you want to establish or build credit, then a prepaid card is a good option.  For parents who need to send money to their kids in college, providing them with their own prepaid credit cards is the most convenient and safest way to send and receive cash.   Travelers can also use prepaid credit cards as a safer way to pay for all their travel expenses..

How to Get A Pre paid Credit Card?

Pre paid credit cards can be acquired by visiting your nearest bank or by submitting your application online.  To get approved, the applicant must first open a deposit account and submit the minimum required payment.  The amount can range anywhere from $200 to $500 and above, depending on the prepaid card issuer.  Keep in mind that the amount of your security deposit will also determine your spending limit.

Since charges are automatically paid using the funds in the cardholder’s account, there is no need to worry about additional interest rate fees.  Nevertheless, there are other costs that can be expected such as the set-up fee, maintenance fee, transaction charges, and possible penalty fees.

Can you use a pre paid credit card for establishing credit or repairing bad credit?  The answer is yes as long as your chosen issuer offers credit reporting service to the three major consumer reporting agencies.  Before making choice, check out the complete terms and conditions of the prepaid credit card.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst for Go-prepaid.com which has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free. If you are on a budget using prepaid debit cards,prepaid credit cards and prepaid cell phone service can save you big money!

For people who have a bad credit history and cannot qualify for a credit card, a preloaded card is the answer.  Prepaid cards look exactly like any regular credit card except that it is easier to get a prepaid one.  In this article, let’s discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using a prepaid credit card.

Prepaid Credit Card Advantages

Easy Access. Because no credit check is done, anyone can get a reloadable prepaid card at any time.

Budget Friendly. Do you have a problem with overspending?  With pre paid credit cards, spending can be put in control more strictly since you can only use it if you have an available balance in your account.  Once your available funds have been used up, the card must be reloaded with cash before it can be used again.

Avoid Bad Debt. A prepaid card does not provide a credit line so the risk of incurring bad debt can be avoided.  There is no need to worry about paying the interest rate or late penalty fees which can cause debt build-up.

Convenience. Reloadable prepaid cards are great for people who are always on the go.  If you’re a frequent traveler, you can simply take your card with you instead of bringing a huge amount of cash.  Parents who have college kids who stay at boarding schools can send allowance though prepaid cards.

Prepaid Credit Card Disadvantages

Although there is no interest rate or late penalty fees, there are other costs associated with reloadable cards that you should watch out for.  Find a prepaid card with reasonable fees by checking out comparison websites online.  What are the costs that you should know about?

Upfront Fee. Although no credit check is required, most Issuers require the submission of an upfront payment.  Sometimes the fee is known as “application fee” or “activation fee”.

Maintenance Charge. Prepaid cards usually carry an annual fee.  However, aside from the annual fee, you may also be charged with a monthly maintenance cost or “service charge” to keep your account active.

Reloading Charges. Some Banks may impose an additional fee each time you make a deposit in your prepaid card account.  In this case, it is a good idea to find a prepaid debit card Issuer that will not charge a reloading service.

Purchase Fees. Generally, there is a purchase fee for each transaction you make.  It does not matter whether you made the purchase from a regular store or online.  You can still be charged a minimal fee  for every purchase.

Card replacement and renewal fee. In case you lose your prepaid card, there is a fee when you request for replacement.  Also, the issuance of a prepaid card is often good only for a certain time period.  When your card expires, you must pay a fee for the card renewal.

Yes, there are advantages with using pre paid credit cards.  However, before getting one, consumers must make sure that there will be no hidden costs or unreasonable charges associated with their chosen card.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst for Go-prepaid.com which has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free. If you are on a budget using prepaid debit cards,prepaid credit cards and prepaid cell phone service can save you big money!

Plastic money or credit cards became very popular over the years. However, not everyone can qualify a credit card that easily, especially those with no credit history or with bad credit. Fortunately, there is another option and that is to get a prepaid credit card.

Prepaid Credit or Debit Cards for Everyone

Issuers of prepaid debit cards give everyone the chance to use plastic money without going through a complicated approval process. Unlike standard credit cards that require good credit history, credit check is not necessary to get a debit card. All that is required is an advanced deposit which will be used for payment.

Just like a regular credit card – you can use it when buying groceries, shopping at malls, paying utility bills, or purchasing from online stores. As long as you have available funds in your account, you can use it to pay for your charges.

Prepaid Debit Card Limits

What makes a prepaid card different from a real credit card? First, we must understand that a debit account does not come with a credit line. Each time a debit card is used for payment, charges are instantly paid off using the deposit in the cardholder’s account.

For instance, if you have made a $300 deposit, you can only use your debit card for charges up to $300. If you want to continue using it for more, you must make a new deposit in your account.

Prepaid Debit Card Advantages

Generally, prepaid debit cards are accepted anywhere credit cards are accepted. Most merchants allow both credit and debit card payments. This is especially true if your prepaid card bears the Visa or MasterCard logo.

Prepaid debit cards are great for people who are often on the road or on trips abroad. Instead of bringing a large amount of cash, they can use a debit card for most of their travel expenses. Students can also benefit from prepaid debit cards since it prevents them from incurring bad debt. For parents, they can conveniently send cash to their kids through their prepaid accounts. Even employers who hire home based employees or freelancers can use a prepaid debit card to send wages or service fees.

Although some people may frown at the thought of not being extended a credit line, those who want to control their spending will find this limitation as a blessing. And because you are not allowed to go over your limit or to pay at a later time, extra fees such as interest rate, overdraft fees, late penalty fees, and other credit card surcharges are completely eliminated.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst for Go-prepaid.com which has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free. If you are on a budget using prepaid debit cards,prepaid credit cards and prepaid cell phone service can save you big money!

People with bad credit history find it very difficult to apply for a credit card. To get approved for the best card, that you still have to wait until your credit score improves before you can get one.

Having poor credit rating raises doubts to your capacity to pay debts. Naturally, credit card companies are looking for those who can pay off their debts on time and with a great credit history to prove it.

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Good thing, those who have poor credit rating may apply for prepaid credit cards. There is no background check or credit check conducted upon review of your application. The application procedure is a lot more convenient than applying for a credit card. Issuers of prepaid debit cards does not care about your credit standing. In fact, a prepaid card can be used to rebuild a bad credit. How can that be possible?

Prepaid Debit Cards and Bad Credit

Today, you can have a debit card that does payment reporting to the three major credit bureaus. Thus, as you use your prepaid card for purchases, you are also improving your credit rating.

You can go online and do research on various prepaid credit cards advertised in the market. Compare different debit cards before making a choice. Consider these important pointers:

• go for one that best suits you and your needs
• go for those that report to the major credit bureaus
• go for the one with reasonable fees

Owning a debit card can be a great way to control your spending. Set a specific budget each month and stick with the plan. Before using your debit card, check your available balance and carefully consider whether you really want to spend it for that particular purchase or save it for more important buys.

Unlike credit cards that allow you to shop now and pay later, you can only use your prepaid debit card if there are available funds in your account. This limitation prevents debit cardholders from damaging their credit or getting stuck in bad debt. Also, there is no need to think about over-the-limit charges, over draft fees, late charges, and interest rates.

Yes, you can apply for a debit card to rebuild your credit rating one step at a time. Once you have proved your credit worthiness, that’s the time you can apply for a regular credit card with good rates.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst for Go-prepaid.com which has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free. If you are on a budget using prepaid debit cards,prepaid credit cards and prepaid cell phone service can save you big money!

A prepaid credit card is a great alternative to using cash for payment. Pre paid prepaid cards are used exactly the same way as regular credits cards. But in terms of practicality, these cards do have some advantages.
For one, a prepaid credit card helps the cardholder stay out of bad debt. Let’s discuss other advantages of using prepaid cards as well as the disadvantages that you should consider.

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The pros of using a pre paid credit cards:

• Using this kind of card enables you to make purchases without cash. However, it reduces the risk of overspending because the limit depends on the amount of money deposited in the account.

• This card can be used worldwide so if you are a frequent traveler, a prepaid card is safer to carry than cash.

• There is no need to pay credit card bills.

• The procedure for the prepaid debit card application is not as complicated as when applying for a credit card.

• There are no interest fees involved.

• Prepaid cards are can be recommended for those with bad credit history. It can be used to improve a poor credit score.

• Unlike a credit card in which you can swipe now and pay later, you can only use your prepaid debit card after making a deposit in your account. Thus, it helps the cardholder exercise control over his/her spending.

The cons of using a pre paid credit cards:

• You cannot use your pre paid credit cards for payments unless you have existing funds in your account.

• The setup fee for this kind of card can be quite costly.

• There are fees involved for each transaction. Each time you use your prepaid card for payment, you are charged with an additional fee for processing the payment.

• Some prepaid card companies charge certain that can increase over time.

• Not all issuers provide credit reporting to the major credit bureaus.

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About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst for Go-prepaid.com which has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free. If you are on a budget using prepaid debit cards,prepaid credit cards and prepaid cell phone service can save you big money!

Today, more and more people recognize the benefits of owning prepaid debit cards.  Although it does not provide the cardholder a credit line, that same limitation can actually be an advantage for people who want to stay away from bad debt.  Let’s discuss the benefits of owning a prepaid debit card.

Who Needs A Prepaid Card?

Parents who want to provide credit cards to their college kids but may be hesitant to do so for fear of the risk of bad debt.  With a prepaid card, that risk is eliminated.  Parents can choose to limit the amount of cash deposit in their teen’s account so they will be able to stick with a budget.  Once the balance in the account runs out, the cardholder cannot make anymore charges to the card.

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Prepaid debit cards are also practical tools for frequent travellers.  It is a great way to shop without cash.  These cards carry the Visa or the MasterCard logo and are a recognized mode of payment in many establishments worldwide.  For online shoppers, a prepaid card is a safer way to shop since you don’t have to reveal your credit card information or bank details.

Advantages of Using Prepaid Cards

What are advantageous of using a prepaid card?  Consider these:

Convenience. Prepaid cards provide the same convenience as credit cards.  You can take your card with you and make purchases without cash.

Cost efficient. Unlike credit cards, there are no interest rates, late penalty charges or over-the-limit costs.

Safe and quicker money transfers. Prepaid cards can be used for quicker and safer money transfers.  If you have a teenager who’s staying in a boarding school, you can send money to your child any time using a debit card.

Control your spending. Prepaid cards cannot be used for advanced purchases.  This reduces the risk of buying on an impulse or spending more than what you can afford.  If you don’t have a balance in your account, you will have more time to consider whether or not you really need to make the purchase.

Build or rebuild your credit history. The great improvement with debit cards is that they can now be used to build credit history or improve a low credit score.  Find an issuer that will report your payments to the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) and you should be able to improve your credit standing one step at a time.

Costs of a Prepaid Card

Prepaid cards do not charge you with interest rate, over-the-limit costs or late penalty charges, but you need to be aware about the fees before choosing one.  Take note that you will be charged a transaction fee each time you use your debit card for payment.  There is also an annual fee to keep your account active.

Just as it is important to read the fine print when choosing a regular credit card, the same step is important in choosing a prepaid debit card as well.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst for Go-prepaid.com which has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free. If you are on a budget using prepaid debit cards,prepaid credit cards and prepaid cell phone service can save you big money!

It doesn’t really matter if you already own a credit card or not. Having a debit card in your wallet can come in handy at any time. What benefits can you expect from a prepaid debit card? Here are 8 benefits to think about:

1. You can set your own spending limit. With a credit card, it can be a little difficult to control spending because you have the option to purchase in advance and pay at a later date. With a debit card, that’s just not possible. If you want to limit your spending, deposit only the amount you plan to spend for the entire month. This way, you can be more in control of your budget.

2. Safer for travels and shopping around. Why carry a large amount of cash in your wallet when you can bring a prepaid debit card instead? Just like credit cards, debit cards offer protection against lost. In case your card gets stolen, you can call your issuer to have your account blocked against unauthorized transactions. Your debit card will be replaced with a brand new card number.

3. Avoid bad debt. Debit transactions are automatically paid the moment the purchase was made. If you don’t have an existing balance in your debit account, you will not be able to make any purchase. Thus, it eliminates the risk of bad debt.

4. No credit check. You don’t need to have a perfect credit history to get a prepaid debit card. Just like department store cards and gas station cards, credit check is not a requirement. Even with no credit or poor credit, you can easily get one.

5. No monthly bills. No bills will come your way, no payment due dates, no late penalty charges, and no interest rates. Imagine how stressful it must be to be worrying about all these.

6. Withdraw cash from any ATM at any time. Prepaid debit cards are also great during times of emergencies when you need to cash. For parents who need to send money to their college kids on a regular basis, a debit card is the faster, safer, more convenient and cheaper way to do that.

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7. Can be used locally and internationally. If you travel to different countries, choose a prepaid debit card with a Visa or MasterCard logo. This way, you can be sure that your card will be accepted at leading merchants worldwide.

8. Build credit history. The newest prepaid debit cards in the market today offer credit reporting to the major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion). Those who want to establish credit or rebuild bad credit can get a debit card without worrying about getting rejected.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst for Go-prepaid.com which has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free. If you are on a budget using prepaid debit cards,prepaid credit cards and prepaid cell phone service can save you big money!