Photos: Get the Facts on Prepaid Cards

Prepaid credit cards have many benefits.

Prepaid Cards - Prepaid cards have many benefits, especially for those trying to build, maintain or repair credit. The way it works is simple: you add money to the card (through direct deposit, in person deposit or PayPal), then use the card to buy things, pay bills or take out money whenever you need it. No need to worry about debt with these cards, since you can only spend the money you’ve added. They offer the convenience of credit cards minus the hassles of interest and overdraft fees or debt. Learn more in the following pages. Sponsored by www.Rushcard.com

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Prepaid Cards - Prepaid cards have many benefits, especially for those trying to build, maintain or repair credit. The way it works is simple: you add money to the card (through direct deposit, in person deposit or PayPal), then use the card to buy things, pay bills or take out money whenever you need it. No need to worry about debt with these cards, since you can only spend the money you’ve added. They offer the convenience of credit cards minus the hassles of interest and overdraft fees or debt. Learn more in the following pages. Sponsored by www.Rushcard.com

What Are the Advantages of Prepaid Cards? - Prepaid cards are a parallel, relatively low-cost way to bank for people who cannot open a traditional account because they distrust financial firms, don't have appropriate identification, or cannot qualify to open an account. Prepaid card customers can get access to thousands of ATMs, use major payment systems to buy goods, and even use online bill pay services. Prepaid cards are also attractive because the other options for "unbanked" people, like check cashing or money order stores, can be more expensive. Carrying cash can be risky because it is hard to trace and recover in cases of theft. (Photo: Danny Moloshok/Landov)

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Financial Control - Say good-bye to the temptation with $10,000-plus limit credit cards. With prepaid cards, you only spend what you have, not what some company gives you “credit” for, which makes it easier to control your cash flow. Sponsored by www.Rushcard.com (Photo: Danny Moloshok /Landov)

Photo By Danny Moloshok/Landov

Don’t Worry About Debt - If you’re already paying thousands of dollars for credit mistakes of the past, no need to worry here. The prepaid cards won’t get you into more debt, since you can only spend what you have. And you never have to deal with a high-interest rate because you can only spend the money on your card. Sponsored by www.Rushcard.com  (Photo: MCT /Landov)

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Don’t Worry About Debt - If you’re already paying thousands of dollars for credit mistakes of the past, no need to worry here. The prepaid cards won’t get you into more debt, since you can only spend what you have. And you never have to deal with a high-interest rate because you can only spend the money on your card. Sponsored by www.Rushcard.com (Photo: MCT /Landov)

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Use at ATMs - Just like with bank and credit cards, you can have access to your money whenever you’d like. Customers can use their prepaid cards at most ATMs across the nation. Sponsored by www.Rushcard.com (Photo: EPA/JUSTIN LANE/LANDOV)

Direct Deposit - With direct deposit you can have your paycheck go directly to your prepaid card and immediately have access to that money to spend. Sponsored by www.Rushcard.com  (Photo: Landov)

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Direct Deposit - With direct deposit you can have your paycheck go directly to your prepaid card and immediately have access to that money to spend. Sponsored by www.Rushcard.com (Photo: Landov)

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They’re Secure - A card is a lot safer than traveling around with a wad of cash. For those who don’t have debit or credit cards as an option, having a prepaid card to store large amounts of money offers some peace of mind. If the card gets lost or stolen, depending on the terms, you can get the funds back. Sponsored by www.Rushcard.com  (Photo: PA Photos /Landov)

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They’re Secure - A card is a lot safer than traveling around with a wad of cash. For those who don’t have debit or credit cards as an option, having a prepaid card to store large amounts of money offers some peace of mind. If the card gets lost or stolen, depending on the terms, you can get the funds back. Sponsored by www.Rushcard.com (Photo: PA Photos /Landov)

Shop Online - You can use your card online to make purchases. Sponsored by www.Rushcard.com  (Photo: REUTERS/Tim Chong/Landov)

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Shop Online - You can use your card online to make purchases. Sponsored by www.Rushcard.com (Photo: REUTERS/Tim Chong/Landov)

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Finalize Your Receipts - Leaving the tip line blank is a big no-no! Always draw a line through it, especially if you don’t intend to leave a tip on your card. You don’t want to risk having miscellaneous charges unknowingly added. (Photo: RK Studio/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Parents Can Track Spending - Parents trying to teach their children about spending can track and monitor how their children use their prepaid cards through programs such as BillMyParents. Parents can load the card with as much money as they like and see when and where their children are spending. Sponsored by www.Rushcard.com (Photo: The Press-Register/Landov)

Build Credit - When you use your prepaid card to pay your rent, utilities and other bills, some prepaid card companies will report your regular bill payments to participating credit reporting agencies. Sponsored by www.Rushcard.com

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Build Credit - When you use your prepaid card to pay your rent, utilities and other bills, some prepaid card companies will report your regular bill payments to participating credit reporting agencies. Sponsored by www.Rushcard.com

Tax Refunds - You also have the option to get your tax refund money loaded onto your prepaid card as soon as the government sends it. Sponsored by www.Rushcard.com  (Photo: MCT /Landov)

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Tax Refunds - You also have the option to get your tax refund money loaded onto your prepaid card as soon as the government sends it. Sponsored by www.Rushcard.com (Photo: MCT /Landov)

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