If you’re in debt or you’re having  a hard time managing your finances, you may want to resort to a prepaid credit card.  The great thing about a prepaid credit card is that you’re in control your spending and you can never spend more than what you have on the card.  You have to picture it like a gift card, they almost work in the same way.  With so many cards on the market, I’m going to give you some tips on how you can find the perfect card that suits your needs.

Look for one that builds credit

Believe it or not, when you think of a prepaid credit card, you probably don’t think of a “credit building” card.  Well, there are plenty of cards out there that will actually help boost your credit score.  All you need to do is use the card responsibly and you should be okay.  This means that you should never try to overcharge more than what you have on the card.  If you can accomplish that, you can see your credit score go up.

Watch out for the fees

Prepaid cards are notorious for charging you fees when it comes to opening one up.  Yes, there are cards out there that have no fees at all but you have to make sure you research this.  You’re going to see everything from a maintenance fee to a monthly fee but the only way around these fees usually is if you open up your account with direct deposit.

Look for a major logo

If you plan on using your card online or in a store, make sure you’re getting a card with a major logo from either Visa or MasterCard.  If you get a card that doesn’t have a major logo, you may find that you’re not going to be able to use it anywhere.  When you apply for a card, take a look at either the card logo or look for more information in the application, it will usually tell you what bank is distributing it.

Watch out for scams

Like anything in life, there are people out there to get you and your money.  Before you apply for a card, always make sure you read reviews online and check with the Better Business Bureau as well.  If the card receives a poor grade, I would highly recommend you stay away.  There are so many cards out there to choose from, you have to make sure you’re choosing one that’s legit.

When you’re doing your homework, make sure that you look at least five different cards.  See how all of them vary and how they will work for you.  We have a great prepaid credit card page located on our website that does all the dirty work for you.  Find a card today so that you can control your spending tomorrow!