Copyright (c) 2009 Tara Tiemann
Most people prefer to use credit cards than debit cards. In fact, cards often have a bad reputation because of their upfront charges and fees. But are there certain advantages that only prepaid debit cards provide? In this article, let's consider advantages that prepaid cards bring:
1. Spend only the money that you have. When you make a purchase and charge it to your credit card, technically, you borrow the purchase you made and pay it back at a later time. When you use a prepaid debit card, you only get to spend the money you already have in your account. If you don't have sufficient funds in your account, then obviously you can't make further purchases.
2. You're spending is limited to only what you can afford. It is easy to overspend when shopping with a credit card. Since you can charge as much as you want on a credit card, you risk going over your budget if you're not careful. A prepaid debit card doesn't give you this option. With a card, you can only charge the amount that you have in your account. Spending more than what you have is strictly not possible.
3. A convenient tool for small business entrepreneurs. If you're a small business owner or a home based entrepreneur, you can use a debit card in paying your freelance workers or sending payments to your suppliers. Are your freelance workers working outside of your State or from another country? It doesn't really matter. You can use your card for sending money anywhere in the world.
4. Prepaid debit cards are convenient for transferring money. Aside from business owners, parents too can find debit cards really useful when transferring funds to their kids who are in boarding schools. Debit cards provide worldwide services so you can send money to anyone wherever you are in the world. This is a cheaper way to send and receive cash compared to commercial money transfer services.
5. Company owners can use prepaid card in paying employees. Sending employee salaries via prepaid cards are not only convenient it is also a safer way of managing your company's payroll. This is advantageous for employees as well since they can choose to withdraw their wages at their most convenient time.
6. Debit cards are useful tools for those with no bank accounts. You don't need to open a bank account to use the services of a debit card. If you want to do your shopping without the need to bring cash, you can use a debit card instead.
7. Prepaid debit cards are easier to avail than credit cards. Credit card companies impose more requirements for credit card applicants. On the contrary, anyone can apply for a prepaid debit card and get an approval. In fact, people with bad credit or low credit scores can apply for a debit card to improve their credit status. Once their credit is improved, they can avail of credit cards with better rates without getting declined or refused.
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Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst of Go-preid.com and has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free! If your on a budget using
pre-paid credit cards and
pre-paid cell phone services can save you big money!
