While most everyday bank accounts now come with a MasterCard or Visa debit option, not everyone will need one of these cards on an everyday basis.
In the past, most general bank accounts came with a basic debit card option that provided more convenient ways to access money and could be used for ATM and EFTPOS transactions.
The end of the year is a time when spending money plays a bigger role as things get more social, gifts are exchanged and holidays taken to spend time with the family.
But that does not mean your debit card has to be worn out over the holiday season, or that your bank balance has to dwindle to it’s lowest all year.
To help you get a handle on expenses for the festive season, here are five easy tips to use while shopping and planning events.
While debit cards may seem like the same pieces of plastic regardless of the issuing bank, different accounts will lead to different features for every debit card.
For people who use their cards almost all the time, an account with unlimited transactions like Citibank’s Plus account is ideal, offering no monthly account fees, unlimited free withdrawals and the all the accessibility features of a Visa debit card.
Whether you want to keep some cash separate or would like to give a different kind of gift, a debit card without a bank account could sound like the perfect option for your situation.
Without a bank account providing access to everyday funds, using a debit card can be a more efficient way to manage money for people who find they spend too much and those who worry about security while travelling or shopping online.
Credit unions offer some of the best financial products and services outside the major banking network, but sometimes their debit card options can cost a lot more than expected.
Unlike major banks such as ANZ, Citibank and Westpac, among others, credit unions rarely have a widespread debit card network that people can take advantage of to save money on ATM fees.