Do You Know What Prepaid Credit Cards Are?

By Steven J. Talrechi

Credit is something which people often feel less than comfortable discussing. It can be hard to be approved for a credit card, especially these days. If you have yet to build a credit history or have had credit problems in the past, it can be especially hard to get approved. No matter why you are rejected, it can be embarrassing to have this happen. However, a prepaid credit card can allow you to begin building a credit history while being able to benefit from the convenience of a traditional credit card.

So, what exactly is a prepaid credit card? Well, it's basically an account that can be reloaded that is accepted any place that you might use a traditional credit card. The individual card holder will deposit money into their account before making any purchases. If you have money in your account then you are free to spend with your prepaid card. Like a traditional charge card your prepaid card will have a spending limit set which is determined by how much you have deposited into your account, and how often you are able to deposit money.

There are a number of benefits to having a prepaid credit card. You'll have the same freedom that you would with any credit card. Your prepaid card can be used anywhere that credit cards of any kind are accepted.

Prepaid credit cards are also a great way to keep a handle on your spending habits. Since you can only buy what you have already deposited enough to afford, you are keeping yourself from overspending and getting into credit card debt. A prepaid credit card is also a good learning tool which can show you how to manage your finances.

A prepaid credit card also has the advantage of being protected from identity theft. If you are buying online or by phone, you can have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your other accounts are insulated from this card.

So how to you set up a prepaid credit card. Well you will incur a fee to set up your credit account. Typically it is quite small. Anywhere from $5-$10. Additionally, there are usually fees that accompany any deposit that you are making into your account. Though there are some slight fees for those who have been struggling with their credit or merely want to keep a tight handle on their spending it really might be a viable solution for you.

Let's face facts, we live in a credit driven world today. It seems like you can't do anything without a credit card these days. So if you want to be able to function in this world you need to find a way to have access to a credit card. For those who are struggling with bad credit, or want to keep better tabs on their spending then a prepaid card might be exactly what you're looking for!

About the Author:

Steven J. Talrechi is a veteran on credit for over 10 years. He authors various topics on said field, including applying for a credit card, and different credit card offers.