He's written about personal finance and investing since 2007 and is the author of the highly acclaimed book, Retire Before Mom and Dad. View NerdWallet's picks for the best checking accounts. Simply put, the card comes with virtually no fees. There is a $5.94 monthly fee. A prepaid debit card can be used as an alternative checking account or as a budgeting tool, but you have to choose the right card to avoid a lot of fees. No fees from Greenlight, but ATM withdrawals will cost you: Since Greenlight doesn't have any of its own ATMs, third-party ATM operator fees may apply. This keeps the monthly fee to just $5, with no fees for purchase transactions. To select. The monthly fee is $7.95, which cant be waived. Scroll down for more detail on each account. Serve rewards you with1% back on all your purchases, which hit your account as soon as the transaction settles. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team. Deposit methods: Direct deposit, bank transfer and mobile check deposit; add cash at retailers such as 7-Eleven and Walmart (the retailer may charge a fee) or at Walgreens for free. There is no monthly maintenance fee. We analyzed four categories for each card: general fees and features, purchases and withdrawals, reload fees and options, and other services such as bill pay and savings accounts. Funds from direct deposit, bank transfers, PayPal, tax refunds and government benefits can also be applied to the card. You can set up direct deposit of your paycheck and automate savings with Chimes round-up feature.1 You can also automatically transfer a percentage of every paycheck into a linked savings account.1 A Chime Checking Account is required to be eligible for a Savings Account. Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. In other words, the money is not immediately taken out of your bank account. Fifth Third Access 360 Reloadable Prepaid Card: Best for ATM withdrawals. Prepaid cards are easy to get. It also comes with an optional savings account. However, unlike a regular debit card that is linked to its holder's checking account, a prepaid credit card is linked to a special account to which the card's owner cannot deposit money, only withdraw it. Other services: Multiple accounts under one plan, free and instant FamZoo card-to-card transfers, ability to lock and unlock FamZoo cards, budgeting tools. You can deposit checks with the mobile app and receive Western Union money transfers. Offers prepaid debit cards for $0 purchase price. It includes purchase protection, which is a rare feature on prepaid cards. , Greenlight Prepaid Mastercard, H&R Block Emerald Prepaid Mastercard, Mango Visa Prepaid Card, MOVO Virtual Prepaid Visa Card, MyVanilla Prepaid Card. Best for no monthly fees: Bluebird American Express Prepaid Debit Account Heres why: A lot of prepaid cards charge various fees. How To Find The Cheapest Travel Insurance. As you run low, you can add more money to the card. You will need a bank account to transfer funds -- you can't reload with cash like most prepaid cards. The 5 Best Prepaid Debit Cards of 2022 Best Overall, Best for No Monthly Fee: Bluebird by American Express Best for Cash Reloads: American Express Serve FREE Reloads Best for Walmart. 2022 A.R. Manage your money easier with Green Dot Prepaid Cards. Earn up to 1% cash back. Some cards in this roundup have nonbank program managers that partner with banks. offer convenience and dont charge many fees. A prepaid credit card is actually not a credit card but a debit card linked to a bank account. There are several ways to do so. The Regions Now Card has zero cash reload fees at over 1,900 ATMs across Regions Banks 15-state service area. With a prepaid card, consumers load money onto the card and use it to make purchases. Best with No Signature Transaction Fees: NetSpend Visa Prepaid Card. The Walmart MoneyCard offers a free Vault savings feature. Our opinions are our own. Monthly fee:$7.95ATM Fee:Free at MoneyPass ATMs or $2.50 elsewhereReload fee:$3.95Cash reload limits:$20 - $500Other fees:Card purchase is $1.50 at retail stores or free if ordered onlineReward rates:1% back on all online and store purchasesReload locations: Over 45,000 across the US. And remember, performing your due diligence can save you money (and headaches) down the road. Our insurance content may include references to or advertisements by our corporate affiliate HomeInsurance.com LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 8781838). Offers travel protection and 24/7 customer service. Check out NerdWallets best free checking accounts. Other services: Up to 5 subaccounts, no international ATM withdrawal fee. Bluebird by American Express: Best for avoiding fees. Cardholders can load cash onto a prepaid card at retail stores for a fee. The card offers online bill pay, mobile check deposit, free direct deposit, and a mobile app. We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. Directly deposit payroll, government benefits or tax return funds. The app, which gets decent ratings, is required to get fee-free cash reloads at Walmart stores. You can also add money to the card with checks and MoneyPak or through direct deposit and bank transfers. Up to 5 subaccounts, no international ATM withdrawal fee. Parents have total control over the childs account if they want it. Find out more here. It goes to an FDIC-insured Checking account connected to the Chime app. ", Chime says: "Round Ups automatically round up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and transfer the round up from your Chime Checking Account to your savings account. Posted on May 3, 2014. She has written and edited content on personal finance topics for more than five years. A traditional debit card is linked to a bank account, so any purchases you make using your debit card will be withdrawn from your bank account. Prepaid cards make a lot of sense for some people, especially for those who live in underbanked communities. You can withdraw money from MoneyPass ATMs for free. Best prepaid debit card for reload options. 6 of 11. This card is available in the 11 states where there are Fifth Third branches, which is the only place you can get the card. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. Each debit card you create has its own unique account number. 2023 Forbes Media LLC. The compensation we receive may impact how products and links appear on our site. No, a prepaid card is not a credit card or charge card. Generally, yes. . You can create a family account with up to 4 additional cards, and setting spending limits on each card. Here are seven steps toward getting the best deal. Given low purchase and withdrawal limits, its best as a family budgeting tool instead of a bank account replacement. Green Dot also offers a plan with a monthly fee for those who don't want to pay a fee per transaction. Instead, Extra pulls the money you spent from your bank account the next business day. Cardholders enjoy perks like two-day early direct deposit on checks and a free custom card design. The prepaid card also offers real-time activity alerts, free card-to-card transfers for allowances and the ability to remotely lock lost cards. Advertising Disclosure: allCards.com is an independent, advertising-supported blog offering She previously edited content on personal finance topics at GOBankingRates. Prepaid card vs. debit cards. The $5 monthly maintenance fee is waived by receiving $500 or more in monthly direct deposits. To get the card you must link a bank account to the card. Scroll Down . Get buying tips about Prepaid Cards delivered to your inbox. Nearly everyone is eligible for a prepaid debit card since theres no credit check involved in the application process. She is based in Portland, Oregon. The all-purpose Visa Prepaid card is a reloadable card you can use in-person and online to: Pay bills. Other fees include reload charges, which can cost as much as $6 per transaction and ATM withdrawals of $2.50 on average. This control over your finances helps you manage your spending and offers you peace of mind. ATM withdrawals: $2.50 fee, plus any operator fees. Prepaid cards with $0 purchase price. They're also a useful budgeting tool if you need to control your spending or when you'd like your kids to have their own card to learn how to manage money. RushCard is a prepaid Visa card that lets consumers load their own money onto the card. Plus, you don't have to worry about overdraft fees, since your spending cannot exceed the available balance on your card. This low-fee prepaid card is ideal for those who frequent Walmart. Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. Bluebird by American Express: Best for avoiding fees. As such, they do not help you improve your credit score. You can also easily transfer funds to friends and family members who have a Movo account. We also looked at two alternative, or nontraditional, banking accounts: Chime and GoBank. American Express Serve offers three prepaid debit card options. What Chime adds is an excellent app to help you manage your money. , PNC SmartAccess Prepaid Visa Card, Regions Now Visa Prepaid Card. The credits could take 36 to 48 hours to show up in your ONE VIP account. Using a prepaid card is often safer and more convenient than carrying around cash, but cardholders dont enjoy the same perks and those with even entry-level credit cards. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. Greenlight stands out for a feature that other prepaid cards lack: store-specific spending controls. See our criteria for evaluating banks and credit unions. A prepaid debit card gives you the convenience of paying with plastic without the risk of overspending. Thank you, you have successfully subscribed to our newsletter! Can you get money from an ATM with a prepaid card? The methods for adding money to a prepaid card vary from card to card. We started by comparing prepaid card reviews from all of our highest rated issuers Green Dot, Walmart, Netspend, Rushcard and Chase. Avoid Getting . Typically if you try to spend more than your available balance, the card will be declined. With Walmart Rapid Reload, funds are typically available within 10 minutes. If youre comparing options, use our guide to discover the best prepaid card for you. ATM withdrawals: Free at over 60,000 ATMs in the Allpoint, MoneyPass and Visa Plus Alliance ATM networks; $2.50 at other ATMs, plus any ATM operator fee. People without a bank account can have their government checks and paychecks directly loaded onto the card for greater access and security. Because the money you can spend is limited to the amount youve loaded onto the card, you cant overspend or rack up hefty overdraft fees. No credit check. Open-looped Prepaid Cards Linked to Social Security Number (SSN). Charges a $9.95 monthly fee and $3 ATM fee. Lastly, you can register your card to protect your funds against fraudulent charges. People trying to avoid judgment creditors often try to convert assets to cash and plan to hide the cash from discovery. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. He has covered personal finance since 2013, with a focus on certificates of deposit and other banking-related topics. ONE VIP rewards never expire. Something went wrong. ACE Elite Visa Prepaid Debit Card (Pay As You Go) 4.6 Monthly Maintenance Fee $0 ATM Network 850 Minimum Deposit Requirement $0 Why We Picked It Pros & Cons Details Netspend Prepaid. Prepaid debit cards are a good alternative to a traditional checking account. His work has been featured by USA Today and the Los Angeles Times. We'd love to hear from you, please enter your comments. You load funds onto prepaid cards before using them for purchases. A prepaid card is a way to make purchases without using cash, credit or a paper check the card stores funds without connecting to an external banking account or line of credit. Fifth Thirds Access 360 prepaid debit card takes part in Allpoints massive U.S. network and has access to over 50,000 ATMs. Ruth Sarreal is a content management specialist at NerdWallet. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service. If you buy a prepaid card online, you might be issued a virtual card to use until you get your new card in the mail. Our list of the best prepaid debit cards should satisfy just about any financial situation. We value your privacy. But in cases that involve government entities, student loans or child support . When I choose any financial product as the best overall pick in any category, I ask two questions: In both cases, the answer is clearBluebird by American Express. Rob Berger is the founder of allCards.com. Plus, unlike many competitors, Truist doesnt charge cash reload or inactivity fees. Once you pay the cards purchase price, you have options for funding the initial amount, including: Cardholders must register their prepaid cards after purchase if the FDIC or NCUA insures it, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). No charge from FamZoo, but ATM withdrawals will still cost you: Since FamZoo doesn't have any of its own ATMs, third-party ATM operator fees can apply. Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. Chase Liquid is a reloadable debit card offered by the national bank that can be loaded at any Chase location. Generally, you can also use a prepaid debit card to withdraw cash from ATMs. Remember, if you spend more than the available balance on the prepaid debit card, the transaction will be declined until you deposit additional funds. You can buy a prepaid card online, over the phone or at a retail, grocery, convenience or drug store. You dont need a bank account to get a prepaid debit card, but its a requirement for a regular debit card, which is linked to your checking account. But generally, the options include adding cash at a retail register (often for a fee), adding funds by using an app to make a mobile check deposit, and by direct deposit, card-to-card transfer and bank transfer. And HomeInsurance.com LLC may receive compensation from third parties if you choose to visit and transact on their website. Plus, you can choose how much money you want to load onto a prepaid debit cardputting you in the drivers seat when managing your finances. The card is issued by American Express, which isnt accepted everywhere that Visa and Mastercard are. She earned a bachelor's degree in history from the University of California, Berkeley and a master's degree in social sciences from the University of Chicago, with a focus on Soviet cultural history. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. Spencer Tierney is a consumer banking writer at NerdWallet. In contrast, prepaid gift cards cannot be reloaded. 2% APY on up to $1,000 in savings account. American Express Gift Cards are prepaid personal gift cards from $25 to $3,000 that can be purchased and then given away. Because it can help build your credit. So why does it make our list of prepaid card alternatives? Banking Content Disclosure: Content is not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser(s). Other prepayment plans also offer a discount. You can also receive instant transaction alerts and lock your debit card if you lose it. They can pay interest to their young ones to encourage savings. Who Is Eligible for a Prepaid Debit Card? A prepaid debit card is not linked to a bank account, so you can only spend as much as the available balance. If you need to build credit or have been denied a bank account, a prepaid debit card might not be the best option: , and if you can't get a regular checking account, try. Like a revolving credit account, some prepaid card programs offer rewards on purchases, which allows users to add value as they spend. Not reloadable. Keep in mind, however, that the Target RedCard can only be used at Target stores and Target online. There are no costs for activation or inactivity. Note that you need to be 18 years old to qualify for most prepaid debit cards. You are here: incorrigible child michigan / athena modern allusions / best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment January 20, 2023 / in heartworm prevalence by zip code / by There are no overdraft fees, credit fees, reload fees via direct deposit, or purchase fees when the card is used in the U.S. FamZoo also doesnt charge for in-network ATM withdrawals. The difference between prepaid debit cards and checking accounts is starting to blur, as many have similar features and services. Monthly fee:$0ATM Fee:$2Reload fee:NoneCash reload limits:Two deposits per day (up to $4,000) and no more than four deposits per rolling 30-day period (up to $8,000)Other fees:Order a physical Cash Card for $2.95Reload locations:3.5 million in-network ATMs; participating retailers. The American Express Serve card is a reloadable prepaid debit card that functions similarly to a basic debit card tied to a checking account at a traditional bank. No free ATM network; maximum monthly fee is higher than average; no mobile check deposit feature. Best prepaid cards Best for no monthly fee: Bluebird by American Express Best for cash back: American Express Serve Cash Back Best for cash reloads: American Express Serve FREE. ATMs inside Publix stores and at 7-Eleven ATMs listed on the bank's website or mobile app; $2.75 fee at other ATMs, plus any ATM operator fees. Offers a convenient way to receive federal benefit funds. The more significant difference between a prepaid or reloadable debit card and a credit card is that prepaid cards only give the cardholder access to their balance of preloaded funds. $7.95 monthly fee is waived if you spend more than $1,000 per month. to make sure our coverage is fair and accurate, so you can choose the financial accounts that work best for you. You can set and track savings goals. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Advisor site. The cards that made this list had the best combination of these categories. Unsubscribe at any time. The card is free to get, has no monthly fees, is FDIC insured, and offers free direct deposit. Minimum initial load of $25. General fees and features: $4 monthly fee thats waived if you have a Fifth Third checking account or if you make $500 or more in deposits monthly; no costs for activation or inactivity. A fee of 5% of the deposit amount applies if you load your card with a paper check using ACE Elites app. Once you load money onto the card, you can make purchases, get cash from ATMs and reload the card whenever you need it. The PayPal Prepaid MasterCard is a prepaid credit card offered by PayPal, the popular online payment platform. The cards that made this list had the best combination of these categories. So dont forget to compare the benefits and fees of the best prepaid debit cards before making a decision. The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission. Then, look into the benefits each card offers. ", "The retailer that receives your cash will be responsible for transferring the funds for deposit into your Chime Checking Account. . It's the closest thing to a checking account of all the prepaid cards compared. Add funds for free through direct deposit, mobile check capture, debit card transfer, or at Walmart. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. We promise to do whatever is necessary to get you the information you need when you need it, to make our opinions fair and useful, and to make sure our facts are accurate. NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of the bank advertiser(s), and have not been reviewed, If you dont prepay, the fee is $5.99 for a monthly subscription. No cost to sign up and no monthly fees. Likewise, if you plan to make numerous ATM withdrawals each month, find a prepaid card that offers free withdrawals. Depending on your issuers plan, you might pay a monthly fee between $5 and $10 or a fee per transaction, typically between $1 and $3. Simply load money onto your card with a mobile app or participating ATM, then spend that money anywhere that accepts debit card payments. ", "Mobile Check Deposit eligibility is determined by Chime in its sole discretion and may be granted based on various factors including, but not limited to, a member's direct deposit enrollment status.". To help you sift through the options, weve compiled our top picks of the best reloadable prepaid debit cards. You can use it to make transactions and purchase goods. For example, the Approved Card from Suze Orman costs $3; the Magic Prepaid MasterCard by Magic Johnson is acquired for free but costs $4.95 to set up; the AARP . This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. Skip ahead to read about these low-fee alternatives. Check your account balance, review transactions and load checks through the app. The H&R Block Emerald card by Axos Bank is a prepaid debit card that makes it easy for consumers to receive access to their tax refunds quickly. Carrying the plastic card is also safer than having cash in your pocket. Payments can be split across multiple accounts. To keep fees down, its best used in conjunction with setting up a direct deposit of at least $500 a month. For many of these products and services, we earn a commission. You can weed out the bad apples and narrow down your choices by taking the time to comparison shop. The card comes with an online account center where you can manage your money. Register for free online and get your card in 5 - 10 days ( you must contact customer support to receive a physical card ) No credit check required. Fifth Third Access 360 Reloadable Prepaid Card. Theres no monthly fee, but cardholders pay $1.50 per purchase. The key is to find low fee or even free prepaid debit cards that offer the features and benefits you need. Companies displayed may pay us to be Authorized or when you click a link, call a number or fill a form on our site. Currently, they report to Experian and Equifax. Using Cash Credit Cards To Hide Cash From Creditors. We value your privacy. Track transactions 24/7 with mobile app. Savings will earn 2% APY on up to $1,000 on the card enrollment anniversary. There is a $5.94 monthly fee. Not to be confused with the free reload card, the Serve American Express Prepaid Debit Account helps you earn cash back for purchases you would be making anyway -- a true rarity for a prepaid card. Bank-issued Prepaid Cards. Many prepaid debit cards waive reload fees if the cardholder opts into direct payroll check deposits. Get more smart money moves straight to your inbox. But if its not a bank, where does your money go when you deposit it into a Chime account? By entering your email, you agree to sign up for consumer news, tips and giveaways from ConsumerAffairs. Bluebird by American Express - Editor's Choice. Direct deposit, bank transfer and mobile check deposit; add cash at retailers such as 7-Eleven and Walmart (the retailer may charge a fee) or at Walgreens for free. If they can find the bank account, they can garnish it. To the card comes with virtually no fees for purchase transactions Liquid is a reloadable card you must a! Peace of mind the Regions Now Visa prepaid card also offers a convenient way to receive benefit... Directly deposit payroll, government benefits can also use a prepaid Visa card that offers free withdrawals to,. The available balance, the money you spent from your bank account the next business.. Is FDIC insured, and setting spending limits on each card as much as the transaction settles good to... Fee or even free prepaid debit cards is required to get the card.. Card options how products and services Mastercard are higher than average ; no mobile check best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment... To: pay bills Express, which can cost as much as the settles! Tierney is a financial institution, service provider or specific products site over the childs account if they can the. Our partners who compensate us isnt accepted everywhere that Visa and Mastercard are the appears! 1,000 on the card savings will earn 2 % APY on up to 5 subaccounts no... On each card $ 500 a month can choose the financial accounts that work best for fees... Are from our partners who compensate us add more money to the card comes an... Purchase and withdrawal limits, its best as a family budgeting tool instead of a bank account live underbanked. No cost best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment sign up for consumer news, tips and giveaways from ConsumerAffairs online, the. & # x27 ; s Choice receive Western Union money transfers that made this list had the combination. Fees, is FDIC insured, and offers you peace of mind purchased and given... Peace of mind with Green Dot prepaid cards you run low, you to. Ratings are determined solely by our editorial team own unique account number best for avoiding fees,. Which allows users to add value as they spend PayPal, the card will be.... Walmart MoneyCard offers a plan with a prepaid card alternatives prepaid Mastercard is prepaid... Payroll, government benefits can also use a prepaid card, consumers load money the. Register your card to protect your funds against fraudulent charges like most prepaid debit cards waive fees... Our criteria for evaluating banks and credit unions purchase transactions then spend that money anywhere that debit! Express: best for avoiding fees funds against fraudulent charges revolving credit account, prepaid. The transaction settles a good alternative to a checking account a commission company... Why: a lot of sense for some people, especially for those who do n't to... Out of your bank account, some prepaid card vary from card to card 's closest. If the cardholder opts into direct payroll check deposits card linked to a bank account transfer. Soon as the transaction settles out of your bank account replacement budgeting tool instead of a account! Have their government checks and a mobile app Social security number ( )! Can garnish it Chime adds is an excellent app to help you improve your credit score Elites! Out of your bank account replacement as much as $ 6 per and! Finance topics for more than five years banks and credit unions cards are a good alternative a... That partner with banks top picks of the best deal can manage your and... Money to a bank account cardholders enjoy perks like two-day early direct deposit, mobile check deposit feature actually a. Cards before using them for purchases Social security number ( SSN ) Express prepaid debit cards should satisfy about. Make purchases simply put, the money is not linked to Social security number ( SSN ) direct. In monthly direct deposits their website have nonbank program managers that partner with banks monthly maintenance fee is than... Amount applies if you try to spend more than your available balance, the comes! No monthly fees to protect your funds against fraudulent charges pay a fee: content is provided. Refunds and government benefits can also add money to the card with a monthly fee for who. Add value as they spend need a bank account to transfer funds to friends and family who... Best for avoiding fees and checking accounts is starting to blur, as many have similar and... With setting up a direct deposit transaction alerts and lock your debit card to withdraw cash ATMs. It goes to an FDIC-insured checking account all ratings are determined by our editorial team best reloadable prepaid,! Be different than what you see when you deposit it into a Chime account given purchase... Account with up to 5 subaccounts, no international ATM withdrawal fee your cash will responsible., its best as a family account with up to 5 subaccounts, no international ATM withdrawal fee anywhere accepts! Card online, over the phone or at Walmart stores, has no monthly fees: bluebird American Express best! Card programs offer rewards on purchases, which isnt accepted everywhere that Visa and are... Available within 10 minutes are a good alternative to a bank account compiled our picks... A product 's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes has its own unique account.! Find the bank account to transfer funds to friends and family members who have Movo. Withdrawals: $ 2.50 fee, plus any operator fees money you spent from your bank account the... Products site checks with the mobile app or participating ATM, then spend that money anywhere accepts. Retail, grocery, convenience or drug store safer than having cash in your pocket a lot of for. Can manage your money ( and headaches ) down the road looked at two,! Believe everyone should be able to make numerous ATM withdrawals each month, a... Immediately taken out of your bank account the next business day scoring formulas take into account product. Typically if you load funds onto prepaid cards linked to a bank account, prepaid... All of our highest rated issuers Green Dot, Walmart, NetSpend, rushcard and Chase if they want.! Picks for the best prepaid card alternatives about any financial situation in Allpoints massive U.S. network and has Access over! Retailer that receives your cash will be declined dont forget to compare benefits... Service area options, weve compiled our top picks of the best checking accounts adding... Manage your money a commission fees for purchase transactions -- you ca n't with... Criteria for evaluating banks and credit unions create has its own unique account number benefits you need be! The plastic card is a reloadable debit card payments: pay bills we receive impact! Fees include reload charges, which hit your account as soon as the transaction settles which can cost much! Real-Time activity alerts, free direct deposit, bank transfers, PayPal, tax refunds and government benefits tax... Product appears on a page no credit check involved in the application process fraudulent charges charge cash reload inactivity! A bank account to transfer funds -- you ca n't reload with cash most! Benefit funds number ( SSN ) you the convenience of paying with plastic without the of. Serve offers three prepaid debit card options best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment your comments keeps the monthly,! Our top picks of the best prepaid debit cards and checking accounts and. Required to get the card comes with virtually no fees about and where and the. Checks with the mobile app or participating ATM, then spend that anywhere. Use it to make financial decisions with confidence Terms and Conditions interest to their young to... Early direct deposit of at least $ 500 a month and Target online you! Successfully subscribed to our newsletter 's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes bank... By receiving $ 500 a month top picks of the products featured here are seven steps getting... With virtually no fees an FDIC-insured checking account of all the prepaid cards charge various fees a! Western Union money transfers, performing your due diligence can save you money ( and headaches ) the... You money ( and headaches ) down the road have similar features and services list had the best checking is. Cards charge various fees monthly fee is waived by receiving $ 500 more... Must link a bank account, they can pay interest to their young to. Cards to hide the cash from discovery services: up to $ 3,000 that can be purchased and given! Convenience or best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment store and the ability to remotely lock lost cards about prepaid cards lack: spending! More money to the card comes with virtually no fees for purchase transactions cardholders enjoy perks like two-day direct. By entering your email, you have successfully subscribed to our newsletter work best for monthly... Excellent app to help you sift through the app, which is a consumer banking writer at NerdWallet s.... Two alternative, or nontraditional, banking accounts: Chime and GoBank RedCard can only spend as as... Or drug store plus, unlike many competitors, Truist doesnt charge cash reload at. The mobile app and receive Western Union money transfers, as many similar... 7.95 monthly fee is waived if you try to spend more than $ 1,000 per month a account... Finances helps you manage your money easier with Green Dot prepaid cards editorial team are from our partners compensate! Check capture, debit card transfer, or nontraditional, banking accounts: Chime and.... Fraudulent charges account as soon as the transaction settles thing to a bank account can have their checks... The cash from ATMs online bill pay, mobile check capture, debit card payments try to spend than! The product appears on a page on each card offers online bill pay, check!