Pre-paid visa cards are growing in popularity.   Although not for me I came across the Rush prepaid visa, created  by Russell Simmons, and decided to take a look at the whole pre-paid visa concept.  The concept is simple, you load your Rush visa card up with cash and use it like a regular visa.  Visa is the most widely accepted credit card worldwide.  You can’t over spend and there is no interest charges because you have to pre-load your card with cash, and it is not unsecured credit.  This prevents you from overspending and saves you from carry cash around.  Great way to budget for your children aswell, or provide them emergency money without them having to carry cash in their pockets.  Prepaid visa can also be used to repair your credit rating.  For many people with poor credit scores, getting approved for a Visa is impossible.  If you don’t know your credit rating, you should, go get it online at Equifax, now!!  No Visa Card makes it difficult/impossible to do many things such as rent a car, or even shop online.  Several people have also told me that they use a prepaid visa for shopping online due to security reasons.  They are more comfortable with having their prepaid visa number floating around with a small amount on the card then say their regular visa that has a much higher limit.  Prepaid visa generally have no annual fees, although I found a few that do.  Prepaid visas have a one-time activation fee, some have a deposit fee or recharge fee, a convenience fee, and ATM fees for cash withdraws.  Make sure you review the fee schedule of any prepaid visa that you are looking at.  Inactivity fees also seem to be common for most cards.  An inactivity fee really bothers me.  What your telling me is that I pay you to hold my money, and if I don’t spend it you charge me more??  Okay most of the fees bother me, but I’ve learned to deal the generally accepted fees like everyone else thanks to our banks.  Bottom line is that if you need a visa, your going to pay some fees and having one makes life a lot easier these days.  The Rush Card has an activation fee of $19.99, and you can add money for free via retail locations(beware the retail location may charge you a few bucks so not really free), check/money order, and Tax Refund.  The Rush card also offers online management and telephone inquires for free, including their Rush Text Alerts.  An optional service called Rushpath to Credit is also free and it helps you build a positive credit file by reporting your regular bill payments you make with your Rush Card to participating credit reporting agencies.  You can find out more information and apply for a Rush Card at Rush Card prepaid visa.