A debit card is a card connected to your checking account, using the funds you have to make purchases. A credit card is connected to a line of credit, carrying a balance each month based on the ...

Credit cards and debit cards may seem like the same thing — after all they're both rectangular pieces of plastic — but they act quite differently. One card provides you with a revolving loan, while ...

Sophie Venz is a former Deputy Editor at Forbes Advisor. She is an experienced editor and features reporter, and has previously worked in the small business and start-up reporting space. Previously ...

Jessica Gibson is a content update editor and writer for Investopedia. She has over 10 years of experience in digital publishing and three years of experience covering financial topics like insurance, ...

Debit cards make it easy to make purchases, shop online, and pull cash out of an ATM. But to use one, you need a checking account—and not everyone has one. If you’re a part of the “unbanked” community ...

American Express Serve cards are no longer available for purchase. All Serve American Express Prepaid Debit Accounts will be closed on June 3, 2026. Prepaid debit cards are a simple way to pay for ...

Handing over a debit card at hotel check-in looks simple, but it quietly reshapes your entire trip budget. Instead of just paying for the room, you are authorizing the property and your bank to lock ...

Mark Cussen, CMFC, has 13+ years of experience as a writer and provides financial education to military service members and the public. Mark is an expert in investing, economics, and market news.

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. If you’re in search of a card that gives you the convenience ...