Lvnlakers78 Posted November 1, 2009 Posted November 1, 2009 So I have my BF money but its in our checking account. We are awful at using money that we shouldnt so I was thinking of putting it on a pre-paid card. Has anyone used these are there any that wont have a bunch of fees? Or does anyone have any other ideas? TIA!
peppysfireball Posted November 1, 2009 Posted November 1, 2009 I've never seen a prepaid card with fees. If you know what store you're going to, get one there if they have promotions. Like Kmart has one going if you get a card and put money on it for xmas, they give a discount on your purchases , like 3%. Also keep in mind most debit cards have a daily limit, usually about 750 if you're wanting something big ticket, you have to call the bank in advance to lift the limit for that day.
danniioc Posted November 1, 2009 Posted November 1, 2009 So I have my BF money but its in our checking account. We are awful at using money that we shouldnt so I was thinking of putting it on a pre-paid card. Has anyone used these are there any that wont have a bunch of fees? Or does anyone have any other ideas? TIA!Just use cash? It's the most widely accepted form of payment...
Iliveforblckfri Posted November 1, 2009 Posted November 1, 2009 Just use cash? It's the most widely accepted form of payment... This is my choice for the say. I will be careful with it, but I feel it is best for me to not go into debt. Darla
Karmarose Posted November 1, 2009 Posted November 1, 2009 I think you are reffering to the amex/MC etc gift cards that you put money on and they charge you a few bucks? I would call up your bank and ask them about getting a debit card for the acct. Otherwise, budget, budget, budget and use cash. I'm actually using a CC and I am going to pay it off when I get home with my checking acct. Like I said though, budgeting is the key here.
speeddiva Posted November 1, 2009 Posted November 1, 2009 Call your local bank or credit union...My CU only charges $3 to activate their pre-paid Visa.
dessenma Posted November 1, 2009 Posted November 1, 2009 I also think she is talking about amex/MC/Visa cards. Check with your bank and see if they charge a fee for those. I know my bank does not charge a fee if you have an account with them.
Lvnlakers78 Posted November 1, 2009 Author Posted November 1, 2009 I am using all cash Im just not real comfortable carrying that much money around with me and if I put it on a specific card I will know exactly what money im spending.
noehlp Posted November 1, 2009 Posted November 1, 2009 I swear Brad/GottaDeal has a list of pre-pay or credit card comparison's, SOMEWHERE! Tried finding it. It's gotta be here somewhere ------------ Edit: Found it! http://www.bettercreditcard.com/
gemini1567 Posted November 1, 2009 Posted November 1, 2009 I know that WalMart has one...You buy it for around $3 & can add cash to it for free I believe and if you cash your check there it is $3 & they can put it on their for free. Where as a lot of the ones like the prepaide Visa's, MasterCards, you can't reload it, these you can, and you can follow the amount you have on there online. After a month or two there is a $3 service fee each month.
dad2trips Posted November 2, 2009 Posted November 2, 2009 I buy gift cards at the local supermarket and get fuel perks to boot.
len_mullen Posted November 2, 2009 Posted November 2, 2009 So I have my BF money but its in our checking account. We are awful at using money that we shouldnt so I was thinking of putting it on a pre-paid card...does anyone have any other ideas? TIA!I think you would do best to be less awful at handling your money. I suggest you create a shopping list with gifts, merrchants, and cost. Work that out in the quiet of your home. If you shop only to the list, you will not blow your budget no matter how you hold your money. With that discipline in your corner, you should look for ways to hold your money that benefit YOU rather than the banks. There are many cards that give you cash back and have no annual fee. Using one of these is a big win for you since you can 'hold' your money in an interest bearing account until the bill comes in PLUS you get the cash back. Discover Card will give you more cash back (up to 2x) if you take in in gift cards from their partners and will give you as much as 20% back if you shop via their partners launch page. If you can land a free financing balance transfer, you can earn interest on your cash for a year while paying the credit card no interest. On one episode of Two and One Half Men the men are going to Vegas. Alan puts 1/3 of his cash in his wallet, 1/3 in a money belt, and 1/3 in his boot. You could go that way, too...
lauralmarek Posted November 2, 2009 Posted November 2, 2009 What about opening a small checking account? Put your Christmas cash in that account. Most will usually give you a debit/credit card. TCF in Illinois never charges a fee - I'm pretty sure where ever you are, you can either find a bank or a credit union to open an account. After Christmas either close the account or use it as a savings or perhaps as a limit account for vacations/birthday presents. The bank may even give you a gift for opening the account. The banks in the Chicago area will usually give you $50 to $100.00 to open an account. Prepaid cards are kinda scary because they are hard to replace if you lose them. Plus things can get messed up if you are returning items.
mike60 Posted November 2, 2009 Posted November 2, 2009 I used to buy the AmEX gift cards every friday, then come Christmas I had plenty ready to go, not anymore. I got royally screwed at Hollister's when I took 2 pairs of jeans back and they wound up putting the credit back on them, the only problem is they are non reloadable. so I lost, both companies said each other was responsible. Now I only but store specific gift cards Mike
lauralmarek Posted November 2, 2009 Posted November 2, 2009 One more thing. If you are worried about going over your balance and getting overdraft fees, you can ask your bank to decline the purchase instead of having them approve it and charge a fee.
Karmarose Posted November 2, 2009 Posted November 2, 2009 One more thing. If you are worried about going over your balance and getting overdraft fees, you can ask your bank to decline the purchase instead of having them approve it and charge a fee.That's important for everyone. I learned this one the hard way.
kstategrad Posted November 2, 2009 Posted November 2, 2009 Transfer money from your checking account over to your PayPal account, then use your PayPal debit card to make all of your purchases on BF. :) No fees and no hassle.
Nate Dogg Posted November 2, 2009 Posted November 2, 2009 What about opening a small checking account? Put your Christmas cash in that account. Most will usually give you a debit/credit card. TCF in Illinois never charges a fee - I'm pretty sure where ever you are, you can either find a bank or a credit union to open an account. After Christmas either close the account or use it as a savings or perhaps as a limit account for vacations/birthday presents. The bank may even give you a gift for opening the account. The banks in the Chicago area will usually give you $50 to $100.00 to open an account. Prepaid cards are kinda scary because they are hard to replace if you lose them. Plus things can get messed up if you are returning items.Great idea! Some banks have a minimum number of months you can have an account open for, so check on that.
JoyfulNoise Posted November 4, 2009 Posted November 4, 2009 I've used one before. You did need to read the "fine print" for fees. Used to be like $10. but i think i've seen alot for the $3 now.
speeddiva Posted November 4, 2009 Posted November 4, 2009 When I was @ the WM service desk yesterday they had a flyer about theirs, it's $3 to activate and $3 everytime you want to reload it.
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