saction fees are common. Even inactivity fees and declined transaction fees have been known.1
In fact, some employers prefer to pay their employees with prepaid debit cards. This may be welcomed by those who don't have checking accounts or who want immediate access to their pay. However, employees have a legal right to decline being paid by debit card because those fees eat into their take-home pay.2
Shop for the Best Deal
It's wise to shop around and read the fine print. Prepaid debit cards come in many varieties now, and one might have the best deal for you. For instance, if you have a bank account, you might get a waiver on some fees. If you shop at Kroger, you might consider its card, which has a built-in rewards program.
(You don't want a so-called "closed-loop" prepaid debit card, which is good only for purchases at a single retailer. Those are nice for gift-giving but not for general daily use.)
The Upside of Prepaid Debit Cards
There are fees you won't ever get slapped with when you have a prepaid debit card. First and foremost, there are no interest charges because you're not borrowing money. There are no late fees for the same reason. There's no bill to pay.
If your goal is to repair your credit rating, consider a secured credit card instead of a prepaid debit card.
And, you can't get charged for the equivalent of a bounced check because your purchase will be denied if you have insufficient funds on the card.
Can You Use Prepaid Cards to Pay Bills?
Almost all other transactions can be completed with a prepaid debit card as they would with any other card. Both online purchases and hotel bookings can be made with these cards. In many instances, those accepting payment may even be unaware that a card is prepaid.
An Alternative to a Prepaid Debit Card
If you have a bad credit history or no credit history, you might consider a secured credit card. The application process is easier than for other credit cards because you put down a refundable security deposit that serves as collateral for payment.
If you pay your bills diligently, you'll get the deposit back. If you pay over time, you'll be paying a high interest rate on the balance. But you won't get hit with the many fees associated with prepaid debit cards.
In fact, some employers prefer to pay their employees with prepaid debit cards. This may be welcomed by those who don't have checking accounts or who want immediate access to their pay. However, employees have a legal right to decline being paid by debit card because those fees eat into their take-home pay.2
Shop for the Best Deal
It's wise to shop around and read the fine print. Prepaid debit cards come in many varieties now, and one might have the best deal for you. For instance, if you have a bank account, you might get a waiver on some fees. If you shop at Kroger, you might consider its card, which has a built-in rewards program.
(You don't want a so-called "closed-loop" prepaid debit card, which is good only for purchases at a single retailer. Those are nice for gift-giving but not for general daily use.)
The Upside of Prepaid Debit Cards
There are fees you won't ever get slapped with when you have a prepaid debit card. First and foremost, there are no interest charges because you're not borrowing money. There are no late fees for the same reason. There's no bill to pay.
If your goal is to repair your credit rating, consider a secured credit card instead of a prepaid debit card.
And, you can't get charged for the equivalent of a bounced check because your purchase will be denied if you have insufficient funds on the card.
Can You Use Prepaid Cards to Pay Bills?
Almost all other transactions can be completed with a prepaid debit card as they would with any other card. Both online purchases and hotel bookings can be made with these cards. In many instances, those accepting payment may even be unaware that a card is prepaid.
An Alternative to a Prepaid Debit Card
If you have a bad credit history or no credit history, you might consider a secured credit card. The application process is easier than for other credit cards because you put down a refundable security deposit that serves as collateral for payment.
If you pay your bills diligently, you'll get the deposit back. If you pay over time, you'll be paying a high interest rate on the balance. But you won't get hit with the many fees associated with prepaid debit cards.
