Seniors

50 Ways to Love Your Money - Prepaid Cards

  • An Alternative to Cash

    A prepaid card is a card you load with your own money to make purchases anywhere a debit card is accepted. It's a safe alternative to carrying cash and paying check-cashing fees. In lieu of traveler's checks, prepaid cards can be good options for traveling. They're also a popular gift-giving idea because recipients can use them for whatever they want, and they're widely accepted.

  • #29 Go Direct

    Prepaid cards can offer security and convenience. With prepaid cards, it's possible to eliminate check-cashing fees, and get immediate access to your funds by directly depositing your paycheck, tax refund or other income on to a prepaid card.

  • #30 Remember the "Holds"

    Just like debit cards, prepaids can have "holds" on your funds. Hotels and some merchants may verify you have enough money on your card for the bill. They may make the amount temporarily unavailable for other purchases.