basic banking prepaid cards

fkelanne

what is everyone's views on one of these?anyone got any bad points or used one?

grumbler

How basic? E.g. you can't deposit cheques, although, AFAIK, some allow DDs.
And normally they are expensive to run.
Is it a secret why you want one?

pmduk

Most of the people looking for a basic account do so because of either a limited income or poor credit history. Either way, they're better not paying the card company and using the fees for other things.

Archi_Bald

Judging by some other posts by fkelanne, she is trying to curb her spending, but it would be more constructive if she posted why she is asking the question.

Generally speaking though, prepaid cards are very expensive and there are easier/cheaper ways to spend less.

fkelanne

Yes it is to help me with my spending. I have really bed credit so no high street banks will accept me. I have a barleys account where all my money goes into. I just thought if I opened another bank and sorted out how much needs to be paid into that account for all my dds to come out of it would help me budget better.

Archi_Bald

Have you looked into getting a basic account? or a credit union?

fkelanne

I've applied for a basic account with 2 banks now. I have bed credit so I'm guessing that's why. I've got a pre paid card coming yes it's £4.95 per month but I'm saving loads as I get £8 charges with my bank for bounced dds. This way I'm going to put the amount of money I need for shopping, dinner money's, gas and lecky in the pre paid account get them every week even if I don't need gas on I'm still going to put it on to build up. Then forget about the other money in my current account. That way all dds will be paid on time, and il have some left over at the end of the month. Sounds a plan to me. If I can do it for a year then il be sorted and cancel the pre paid card.

[Deleted User]

£4.95 a month is awful for a prepaid card. There are ones like Orange Cash or Vodafone Smartpass that don't charge Monthly fees.