Prepaid cards can cost a lot to use. You might want to compare other ways to spend your money.
Choose at least two of each to compare:
- prepaid cards
- secured credit cards
- checking accounts in a bank or credit union
For each type of card or account, answer these questions:
- What are the fees? Look for:
- low activation fees
- low annual fees
- low ATM fees
- Will the card help your credit history? Some cards send information to the three credit reporting companies. That might help you build a credit history.
- Does your deposit earn interest? Sometimes you can earn interest on the money you put on a card or in a bank account.
Compare the answers. You might find ways to spend your money that are cheaper than a prepaid card.