Posts Tagged ‘Recession’

Why Many People Will Need a Prepaid Credit Card During This Recession

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
Steve Evans recently asked:


rds are a part of daily life these days. For each of us to establish a good credit rating is very important for many reasons from getting finance to getting a job.

Prepaid credit cards are a way for someone who cannot get a traditional credit card to build credit. The classic case here is the person who has declared themselves bankrupt. Once anyone does that their credit rating is reduced to zero and people describe that as having a bad credit rating, or just bad credit.

This is where a prepaid credit card can be a life saver.

There are some pros and cons to prepaid credit cards, so shopping around and being informed is important when getting one. A prepaid credit card will help build credit without the risk of falling into debt and hurting your credit rating even further.

A prepaid credit card is basically like any other credit card. It is backed by one of the major credit card companies. Prepaid credit cards, though, are completely controlled by the user. The account for the card is opened with a deposit that is then the credit limit. Whenever the user desires more money can be added. Only the amount of money that is in the account can be spent. If the user tries to spend more than their limit the card will be denied.

Walmart and Walgreens provide prepaid credit cards but there are many others. You load the card with an amount of money. Then you re-load it every time you need to use it.

Prepaid credit cards are really becoming popular because they are convenient and allow you to better budget your money than a regular credit card.

Charges vary from card to card, but it’s always best to compare fees before deciding which prepaid card is best for you. You can also find links on the above site to purchase prepaid cards.

Pre-paid credit cards are credit cards in which the owner of the card deposits funds with the credit card issuer to be accessed via the card. This is in contrast to a traditional credit card in which the credit card issuer gives the user a card without receiving any money in advance.

The merchant uses their standard procedure for accepting credit cards of any type. This often involves swiping the card through a terminal. In this case, the terminal is connected to a network that allows the card to be approved or declined. In the case of a pre-paid card, the amount of the purchase is compared to the amount of funds remaining from the original deposit. If there are sufficient funds available, then the transaction is approved. The amount of the purchase is deducted from the funds that were originally deposited with the credit card issuer and the remaining funds become the card\’s new balance.

Any government agency can deposit unemployment benefits, child support payments, etc. directly into a prepaid card, as your employer can do. You might be able to put money in it by yourself. The money can be used right away and the amount you spend or withdraw is deducted from it immediately. Just like debit cards, prepaid cards have a personal identification number.

There\’s nothing simpler. You pay up front. When the card runs out, you refill it. Use it like a credit card, but no bill at the end of the month, only a statement showing what you\’ve spent. That\’s why it\’s prepaid.

All you do is to decide how much to put on your prepaid credit card - and deposit that amount on the card, as you would into a bank account.



Don’t Let the Recession Get You Down, Get Creative with Your Income: Prepaid Debit Cards & Other Tips

Sunday, December 20th, 2009
Michael Griffin recently asked:


This recession has everyone watching their finances very carefully. During a time when the stability of your job and income can be potentially wavering, it is wise to start paying attention to things you may have overlooked in the past. Whether you’ve lost your job, are on unemployment, or are concerned about the welfare of your family, there are some rather simple precautions you can take to ensure a greater amount of financial stability during this economic downturn. Outlined below are just a few (of several) preventative measures you can take.

Plan Ahead:

By now, we are all well aware that it is time to safeguard our money whether we’ve lost our jobs or not. Things are incredibly unpredictable during a recession and you should not fully trust your current source of income. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket so to speak. Consider taking a day or two and begin plotting a financial schedule/budget. Start with a list of your “required” items and then continue on with “wants,” etc. Most people don’t realize how clear things become once they are in writing. Start a budget and stick to it. Only buy necessities and begin saving, whether you need to at that moment or not. Think about putting your extra funds on a prepaid debit card instead of into your bank account, that way you can keep your funds separate and available during necessary times. Additionally, if you don’t have a bank account due to bad credit or other reasons, prepaid cards are a great investment, as they don’t come with any of the additional fees associated with bank accounts.

Shop Smart & Make the Most of What You Have

If you haven’t started clipping coupons or looking them up online, it’s time to start. Instead of going through your local newspaper for cut outs, just simply go online and search for anything you need a coupon for, i.e. “Charmin toilet paper coupons.” You will be amazed the savings that come from spending just a few minutes before each shopping trip to search for coupons. Also, many online stores don’t have brick and mortar locations but offer great savings. Websites are also getting hit hard by this recession with consumer spending being down and are offering free shipping, buy 1 get 1 free, and percentages off online purchases. These may be discounts not available through coupons or at your local store, so take advantage of them and search wisely. Consider designating a budget for online purchases and place that money on a prepaid debit card. With a prepaid card you can make purchases online safely and securely, and you can even use PayPal when needed. In addition to shopping wisely, make the most of what you have. Save leftovers for later or to make into other meals, tailor clothes at home to fit the season, or even watch your favorite TV shows and movies online instead of paying extra for them on your cable bill.

Consider Alternative Sources of Income

If you’ve lost your job or are worried about losing your job, start thinking about alternative ways to secure an income. Think about having a garage sell or selling some items on eBay. Additionally, there are stores like Buffalo Exchange or other resale stores that pay good money for old clothes, shoes, accessories, and furniture. Also, there are several ways to obtain a somewhat steady income online. You can blog on sites to review products and get paid quite decently for each post. You can also answer surveys online for money or even become a mystery shopper. When your customary source of income is no longer available, it’s time to get creative.

While this list is in no way an exhaustive list of options for money management during this recession, they are a good place to start. Start thinking outside the box and you’ll be amazed at what you come up with. It’s extraordinary the amount of money you can save when you put your mind to it. Good luck!