How to Get a Debit Card

A debit card looks exactly like a credit card. It will have the same shape, color, and magnetic strip that a credit card has. A debit card is used almost exactly the same way as a credit card. In fact, there are times when a debit card is used exactly the same way as a credit card. For example, if you are at the grocery store and you want to pay with a debit card, you swipe your card through the machine and type in your PIN (PIN means personal identification number). If the bill clears, your debit is approved and on you go. However, if you are in a restaurant, you card is swiped like a credit card and instead of having to type in a PIN, you have to sign a receipt.

Debit cards are cards that draw against your checking account. Basically, when you make a purchase with your debit card, the purchase price is deducted from a pool of money that you already have on deposit with your bank. If you spend more than you have on deposit, you are likely to pay overdraft fees and whatever other fees your bank is allowed to charge based upon your debit card agreement.

Some of you may have used your debit card as a credit card at the gas station and/or grocery store. In other words, you may have pushed the "credit" button on the payment machines available at these locations. You did not have to enter your pin and you had to sign a receipt or enter your zip code. Even though the transaction was executed and approved like a typical credit transaction, your debit card purchase is not reflected on your credit report and the purchase price is debited from your checking account within a business day or two. Therefore, although transacted like a credit transaction, it is not in fact a credit transaction when you use your debit card. You do not get any credit report benefits and such transactions and subsequent debiting on your checking account does not affect your credit score.

Obtaining a debit card is very easy. Because a debit card is linked to a checking account, the first thing you need is a checking account. The easiest way to get a debit card is to obtain one from the one bank in which you opened your checking account. Nowadays, banks automatically give you a debit card when you open a checking account. If, however, you do not have a debit card but you have a checking account, go to the bank in which you have a checking account and request a debit card. You may have to fill out a paper, but because the card is linked to your checking account, there is no approval process.

Getting a debit card is that easy. Therefore, if you do not have one, obtain one today.

How Does a Debit Card Work?

A debit card looks exactly like a credit card. It will have the same shape, color, and magnetic strip that a credit card has. A debit card is used almost exactly the same way as a credit card. In fact, there are times when a debit card is used exactly the same way as a credit card. For example, if you are at the grocery store and you want to pay with a debit card, you swipe your cad through the machine and type in PIN (PIN means personal identification number). If the bill clears your debit is approved and on you go. However, if you are in a restaurant, you card is swiped like a credit card and instead of having to type in a PIN, you have to sign a receipt.

So, if everything is exactly (or near exactly) the same as a credit card, what is the difference? The main difference (and the most important difference) is that a debit card is secured. In other words, a debit card is linked to a checking or savings account and uses that money to pay a bill. Put simply, a debit card is a glorified checkbook. If you do not have the money in the checking or savings account, your purchase will not clear (the purchase will “bounce”) and you will thus not be able to make the purchase.

You have probably all seen the television commercials for the Visa check card. This is a debit card. If you were to get that card, you would have to link it to a checking account of some kind in order to use the card. All of the national banks offer their customers a debit card when the customer opens a checking account. Getting the debit card from your bank is incredibly easy and convenient. However, if your bank does not offer you a debit card with your checking account, you can use other debit cards (like the Visa check card) with your checking account.

Debit cards offer much convenience, however, when people use debit cards, they tend to lose track of their spending. Therefore, if you use a debit card, I recommend that you still record your expenditures in your checkbook in order to keep everything balanced.

Comparing Credit Cards and Debit Cards

Debit cards are cards that draw against your checking account. Basically, when you make a purchase with your debit card, the purchase price is deducted from a pool of money that you already have on deposit with your bank. If you spend more than you have on deposit, you are likely to pay overdraft fees and whatever other fees your bank is allowed to charge based upon your debit card agreement.

Some of you may have used your debit card as a credit card at the gas station and/or grocery store. In other words, you may have pushed the “credit” button on the payment machines available at these locations. You did not have to enter your pin and you had to sign a receipt or enter your zip code. Even though the transaction was executed and approved like a typical credit transaction, your debit card purchase is not reflected on your credit report and the purchase prices is debited from your checking account within a business day or two. Therefore, although transacted like a credit transaction, it is not in fact a credit transaction when you use your debit card. You do not get any credit report benefits and such transactions and subsequent debiting on your checking account does not affect your credit score.

Credit cards, on the other hand, are not secured by a checking account (there are some credit cards that are secured by a deposit and are known as “secured” credit cards; however, these cards have the affect of a credit card transaction although they work very similarly to a debit card). Most unsecured credit cards have a credit limit. This limit is the most amount of money you can “borrow” to make purchases. Absent a cash advance, you do not actually get the cash in hand. However, you do get make purchases against this credit limit.

Your charges are accumulated during a set billing period and (unlike a debit card where the entire purchase price is taken out of your checking account), only a portion of that amount becomes due and payable at the end of that billing period. If you do not pay back all the money you “borrowed” to make your purchases, the balance is charged an interest rate. This interest charge increases your outstanding balance. Timely and untimely payments are recorded on your credit report and affect your credit score accordingly.

The differences are many. However, if you know how to use these cards effectively, you will be able to build a great credit score without getting into any debt management problems.