Articles & News About Your Credit

Prepaid Credit Cards - The Facts

The idea of a prepaid credit card has been around for a number of years, but it's only now, with the level of personal debt soaring, that it has really started to take off.

But what is a prepaid credit card? How does it work? And most importantly, can it help you avoid getting any deeper into debt?

The Basic Idea

If you're familiar with the idea of a prepaid phone card or a prepaid gift card, the idea won't be new to you. It's basically just a credit card without the credit. You load money into your card account and can then spend it using your plastic card as you would with a normal credit card.

These prepaid credit cards are accepted by hundreds of thousands of retailers and online merchants.

Dozens of financial institutions offer prepaid accounts backed by either Visa and Mastercard so they can be used globally. In fact, anyone who accepts credit cards will be able to accept your prepaid card.

And the uses are almost endless;

Top up your cell phone

Pay your bills

Buy groceries and petrol

Shop online

Book flights, hotels, tickets

Hire cars

Transfer money to family and friends

You can even withdraw cash from your account at millions of ATMs all around the globe

And once you've spent the money in your account, you can "recharge" it with more money.

The Benefits

The main benefit is that these cards are extremely flexible. You can load money onto your account using cash, bank transfer, or even using another credit card (but that's probably best avoided if you want to avoid debt).

And because most prepaid cards are backed by Visa or Mastercard, you can use them anywhere in the world as you would with a traditional credit card. In fact, the use of these cards is so similar to credit cards that they're usually called prepaid credit cards, despite the fact that credit is not involved.

The only difference is that you have to fill up your account with your own money before you use your prepaid card, which brings us to the other main benefit. It's impossible to get into debt using one of these cards, because if you don't have any money in your card account, it won't be accepted.

That gives you more control over your spending. It allows you to set a budget and put that amount in your account. There's no risk of overspending on one of these cards, which is a major advantage if you're trying to escape debt or are worried about getting into debt. And as with credit cards, you'll receive a regular breakdown of your spending on the card, which is great for keeping track of your spending.

And because you're not advanced any credit, there's no interest to pay and no credit checks to get one of these accounts. That means everybody is eligible to get a prepaid card, even if you have a bad credit record.

Other benefits include;

Travel: These cards have the same travel benefits as normal credit cards. They're accepted worldwide, especially those backed by Visa and Mastercard. You can withdraw cash from millions of ATMs across the globe. If you select the right prepaid card, you'll also be able to take advantage of foreign exchange services without paying fees. And if you lose your card, just contact your provider and they'll provide you with a new one.

Safety: If you use your card to make a purchase (by phone, internet or in person) and it is used fraudulently, the provider of your card will cover the loss just like a traditional credit card. These cards are also safer than carrying cash, which brings us to the final prepaid benefit.

Children: Prepaid cards are the perfect way to provide your children with a safe way to have access to money that you can control. Many prepaid cards are open to people of all ages, although as with traditional credit cards, some companies restrict the use of their prepaid card to people aged 18 and over.

As for the debate over whether it's a good idea for children to be allowed a prepaid card, some people argue that it will make children more financially aware from an earlier age. They claim it will teach them to understand the value of money and develop better money management skills as they grow up. It will allow them to budget without the risk of getting into debt.

Other people claim that it will encourage them to develop reckless spending habits, especially if their parents keep topping up the account. If parents are too generous, their children could get used to the pot that never runs dry, and get into serious debt when they eventually get their own credit cards.

Ultimately, it's a decision that all parents will have to make for themselves, but if used responsibly, the benefits of prepaid credit cards heavily outnumber the disadvantages, for all users.

For more information on debt reduction and a free 33 page guide on how to get out of debt, visit http://www.icanhelpyougetoutofdebt.com

Other Article Sites

findabook.com  moneycd.info  a-mortgage.info   about-lemon-laws.info  aboutstudentloans.info
all-about-publishing.info  auctions-articles.info  bestcollege-university.com  bestispconnection.com
biblefolder.com  blogger-website.com  books-used.info  brokers-guide.info  buywindows.info  cable-dsl.info
career-miner.com  carpel-tunnel.info  cashinaflash.info  cashloanreviews.info  casinobell.com  chat-house.info
clearmycredit.info  collegeloantips.info  crones.info  depression-articles.info   dirnic.net  dishguides.info
divers-below.com  expodog.info   financewizz.com  fire-insurance.info  getgood.info  handleit.net   it-idea.info
health-supplies.info  hosting-right.com  insidealert.com  insurance-facts.info  jobs-employment.info
justgood.info  lookgold.net   lowcost-travel.info  money-source.info  myhostzone.info  numisblog.com
peoplesearchfinder.info  pr-articles.info  realeas.com   refinancing-guides.info  spyware-remove.info
telelot.info  the-law.info   toppaid.info  travel-deals.info  travelcorrect.com  wedding-guide-site.com
your-blog.info  your-credit.info

Credit Crunch Pushes More Consumers Into Bankruptcy
Personal debt experts, MoneySolve fear for the future as bankruptcy applications reach record numbers. Predictions of an impending crisis aim to warn consumers who think bankruptcy is an easy way out. However it can have some far reaching consequences that may make the average person think twice before applying for one.

Credit Card Customer Service Roundup
When determining which credit card company is right for you, it?s important to consider everything the credit card company has to offer. Equally as important as a low APR or advanced security features is the credit card company?s customer service.

How to get 0% Interest Credit Card Balance Transfer
How to get 0% Interest Credit Card Balance Transfer

Establishing Credit – What You Need To Know Part 2
In my previous article "Establishing Credit – What You Need To Know Part 1" I discussed the need for a good credit history and what lenders were looking for prior to loaning an individual money or additional funds based on their credit history. This article will go into the necessary steps someone needs to take in order to initially establish their credit history.

Business Credit Cards: Credit Card Offers That Is Perfect For Your Business
Credit cards are considered to be one of the most important financial tools in modern society. Not only are individual people getting benefits from credit cards, even businesses, small and large alike, are now using credit cards to provide financial assistance to their business on times they need it most.

Should You Consider Debt Settlement to Pay Off Credit Cards?
If you are dealing with mounting debt and old unpaid bills, you may be a candidate for debt settlement Some individuals have found it to be the best way to get out from under a large amount of debt

Everything About Credit Cards
Credit cards have been a major breakthrough in the financial market. Now, credit cards are considered a necessity. Everybody seems to have a credit card. An American even has 9 to 10 credit cards on the average. There?s just a lot that you can?t do and several benefits that you can?t avail if you don?t a credit card.

What is a Bad Credit Personal Loan?
A UK Bad Credit Personal Loan is a loan designed for the many people with a bad credit rating. A bad credit rating can make your life a misery.

How Gas Prices Affect Your Credit Score
With the rising gas prices lately, it seems as if they are ever going to go down It just seems like yesterday the prices were at two dollars a gallon

Pay Off Debt With 0% Balance Transfer No Annual Fee Credit Cards
Consumers and companies share a very interesting relationship. The former seeks more value for each purchase; the latter sprints to meet this demand. Today, toothpaste comes with pencil boxes and toys. Pepperoni pizzas are delivered along with video rental coupons. The same is true of credit cards, as well. To keep an edge over the competition, credit card companies are now offering plastics with more benefits and services! One such card is the 0% balance transfer no annual fee credit cards.

MediaCorp's Credit Card Site Acquisition Achieves Synergies, Boosts Vertical Search Strategy
Media Corporation plc, the fast growing online advertising group, has acquired the UK's leading credit card portal, www.creditcardexpert.co.uk.

$82,000 Penalty Tag For Bad Credit Mortgage
It is natural for people to ask for help when they are in trouble and it is within our nature to offer a hand when we can. What throws this natural human relationship off its kilter is our ego that impacts our decision as to when we ask for help and when to extend a hand.

Save Money and Lower your Payments by Improving or Repairing Your Credit
Having a better credit score not only represents easier access to money from lending institutions, but more importantly represents instant money in your pocket.This probably sounds like something obvious for most of people, but it isn't until you start thinking in terms of real examples and real dollars that most of us start to understand the magnitude of the benefits associated with a good credit score.

Credit Card Debt Programs Can Be Helpful
If you are looking for ways to get out of credit card debt, you are not alone Now more than ever credit is being offered to people and it is very easy to fall far into debt before you even realize it

The Necessity Of Credit Card Data Encryption
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) mandates that anyone who stores, processes, or transmits sensitive credit card data must be PCI compliant. In other words, they must conform to a set of standardized security measures.