We have to admit that as adults, we spend a considerable portion of our day-to-day lives trying to manage our money. How much cash did you spend and where? Almost everyone has at least one bank account they use with either debit cards or credit cards.
However, not all of us are great at managing a bank account.
If you struggle with the same issue, prepaid debit cards are your salvation. One of the best cards in the running is the Netspend prepaid debit card.
If you’re also thinking of switching to the Netspend prepaid card account, then you’ve landed on the right article.
Here we’ll figure out exactly how much are Netspend cards?
NetSpend Cards cost $9.95 if purchased at a retail location and $0 card for signing up online. There is a Pay a flat $1.50 on purchases if on the Pay-As-You-Go Plan; $0 for Monthly/Reduced Monthly Plans. A Monthly Fee of $0 on the Pay-As-You-Go Plan, or $5 or $9.95 monthly.
Then, in addition to the cost, we’ll answer questions like how do you get one and where you can go to recharge your card account balance.
So follow along and find out all there is to know about the Netspend prepaid debit cards.
RELATED READ: Can You Have 2 Netspend Cards? Order 4 More Netspend Card
How to Get a Netspend Prepaid Debit Card?
If you want to have a Netspend card account, you need your computer and internet. First, you’ll have to go to their website and create an account online.
To do so, you’ll fill in an online form and make sure you maintain accurate information in that form—plugin your name, address, date of birth, and government ID number. Then, go over the cardholder agreement and click sign up.
After identity verification, you’ll receive your Netspend card via mail within ten business days. And the good news is that Netspend doesn’t charge you an activation fee either. You can now use your activated card anywhere you’d typically use a prepaid debit card. You can also manage all your finances through their online account center. With no minimum balance threshold and no credit check requirement, Netspend might be the easiest way for you to transfer money from one place to another.
How Much Do Netspend Prepaid Debit Cards Cost?
How much does Netspend cost is a tricky question?
To make things easier, we’ve divided the total cost of having this prepaid card into three parts, so you don’t have to do too much math.
1. Upon Activation
The financial institution will charge you no fee when you activate your prepaid card. So technically, this step is entirely free of cost.
2. Upon Use
This is where you’ll have to start paying. Not just for the company but also for the purchases you make. Like all other prepaid debit cards, you have to put money in your Netspend card before you can start spending.
You’re allowed to spend only as much money as you have on your Netspend card. Over this limit, you won’t be able to make any purchases. There are other fees as well. Here’s all you should expect to pay.
3. Purchase Transaction Fees and Other Fees
You’ll have to pay a fixed fee on every purchase you make. But you can avoid the hassle of paying every time by choosing a monthly plan and paying a fixed monthly fee.
A. Pay-As-You-Go Plan
The pay-as-you-go plan gives you the freedom to pay Netspend corporation every time you make a transaction rather than a monthly commitment. So for some users, this plan is a lot cheaper. Considering they might not be making as many transactions.
But you should keep in mind that you’ll have to pay up for any transactions you make, including ATM fees for any ATM withdrawals you make.
B. Monthly Plan
You no longer have to worry about paying up a fortune per transaction with a monthly commitment. Instead, just pay once a month and enjoy unlimited free transactions. You can also make a free direct deposit with just one monthly payment.
If you use your card quite often, paying once every month might be the best way to go for you.
How To Recharge Netspend?
1. Direct Deposit
Direct deposit is often the preferred way for users to load money on their prepaid cards. For example, with Netspend, you can load your payroll checks, tax refunds, government benefits checks, etc., in your prepaid card.
And the best part is that you’ll be getting paid two days earlier than any other method you might use.
2. Mobile Check Load
As long as you have the Netspend mobile app, you can also reload your Netspend visa prepaid card or your Netspend debit Mastercard with nothing but a few pictures.
Just use your mobile phone to log in to the app and take pictures of your checks. You’ll have your card loaded and ready to use in no time.
3. Netspend Reload Network Location
Another way to transfer money to your Netspend prepaid card is by going to one of the reload locations off Netspend.
Finding one isn’t difficult either. There are more than 130,000 locations all over the country. So you can easily find one. In addition, you can find a reload location at your nearest convenience store, for example, at Walmart, fuel stations, or a 7-eleven store.
4. Other Netspend Account
You can reload your prepaid cards from any other Netspend accounts as well. It can be a friend’s, a family member’s, or your own. Just open the mobile application and follow the instructions.
How Is It Different from Having A Bank Account?
Netspend is fundamentally different from any other bank account. While both services allow you to have a savings account, and you can use both Netspend, and bank cards for daily transactions like paying bills, there are a few differences.
Netspend isn’t associated with a single bank. Multiple banks issue Netspend cards. Secondly, banks offer credit cards.
These have their benefits, like improving your credit score. However, with Netspend, there’s no way for you to improve your credit score.
Conclusion
Netspend is a federally registered financing service backed by many financial institutions. It’s completely safe and follows the rules of the USA patriot act.
While you can’t improve your credit scores and have to pay fees when transferring money, Netspend has found its way into peoples’ hearts through cashback, payback rewards, and remarkable service.
Netspend has brought a revolution in withdrawing money and money management.
