Embarassing Question

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Dec 21, 2003

Get your bank to issue you a debit card (and keep enough in the account!), or get one of those guaranteed cards. The "guarantee" is that you deposit the money, and then you can only use what you deposit. It's pretty safe.

They used to advertise the latter type all the time, but I haven't seen much about them lately. (Of course I FF though commercials, so that could be why...)

Either of these would give you the chance to improve your credit as well.

An alternative would be to buy traveller's checks and keep them super safe. But if you decided to rent a car, you will have to have a CC.

Good luck!

seanymph · Dec 22, 2003

Hi,

Like you I have bad credit and am traveling without a credit card. I have a debit card issued by by home bank and it is also a "Mastercard" you can use it as a credit card, the catch is you have to have enough money in your checking card for it to work as a credit card just like you need for it to work as a debit card, but it has come in handy for some places that will only take credit cards. I have been up front with them when I hand it to them and told them it was a debit/credit card and they been fine with that. Now I had a friend who tried one of these with a car rental place, Thrifty, I believe, and they required an extra $200 deposit from her. I don't open an extra checking account wherever my assignment is, I just have my paychecks direct deposited into my hometown checking account. Also since I bank with a credit union they provided me with a book that lists all the credit unions in the US who belong to the "co-op network" and I can look up their ATM's and use them and not be charged a fee and if I have to make a deposti to my hometown bank I can find one of the co-op ATM's that will accept a deposit.

I hope this helps and good luck.

Brownms46 · Jan 12, 2004

DO NOT have your agency direct deposit your pay into your checking account, that you use to pay your bills! Give them an account number from one account, and then immediately withdraw the money, and place it in another account!

There are waaay too many travelers who have had companies take money BACK out of their accounts, AFTER having put the money in there. Too many times this was d/t the agency stating the traveler had damage charges from the apt. complex, AFTER they have even received a cleared move out sheet, signed by the apt complex, with NO damgaes noted!

PMHNP10 · Jan 12, 2004

Originally posted by Brownms46
DO NOT have your agency direct deposit your pay into your checking account, that you use to pay your bills! Give them an account number from one account, and then immediately withdraw the money, and place it in another account!

There are waaay too many travelers who have had companies take money BACK out of their accounts, AFTER having put the money in there. Too many times this was d/t the agency stating the traveler had damage charges from the apt. complex, AFTER they have even received a cleared move out sheet, signed by the apt complex, with NO damgaes noted!

Never in a million years would I have considered this. Well this certainly is of great assistance. Thank you ever so much!!!!

GYPSY1349 · Jan 16, 2004

One thing I learned years ago, when I found myself in the same situation without a credit card, is that Credit Unions are much easier when it comes to opening accounts...Usually for a minimal deposit of @$10-25. you open a savings account, which automatically entitles you to a checking account (again, minimal balance to open, no required specific balance to maintain).

This will also give you a Visa Check Card at most credit unions, which is used exactly like a credit card, and is accepted by all merchants, but the funds come out of your bank account. It's more than a regular ATM card, because it has the Visa logo on it and carries more weight.

If you have your checks direct deposited by your travel agency (and the great majority offer this nowadays), you can travel anywhere in the country and not worry about switching banks or having checks to cash. You can have immediate access to your funds, and use ATM's for your cash using your Visa check card.

Good luck to you! The challenges of traveling are many, but after almost 8 years, I guarantee it still beats the heck out of "staff nursing!":kiss

Brownms46 · Jan 17, 2004

Originally posted by psychrn03
Never in a million years would I have considered this. Well this certainly is of great assistance. Thank you ever so much!!!!

You're very welcome:)! I have been doing this for 12yrs now, but I continue to learn in this business. The help, assistance, and warnings of fellow travelers, has been invaluable!

GYPSY1349 · Jan 17, 2004

Well, if you travel with a reputable company, that will never be an issue. I've had direct deposit for 8 yrs. without a problem.

suzanne4, RN · Jan 18, 2004

I never ever had a problem with a travel company concerning my pay or anyhting else for that matter. But you must remember to pick a very reputable company, one that has a good track record. I have quite a few friends that have have been working cross-country for years and have never heard of any company going back and taking money from their account. Actually it is illegal for them to do, unless they are a signer on her account to withdraw the funds once deposited, in many states.

bagladyrn, RN · Jan 19, 2004

I want to add a note here concerning using the Visa/debit card. This was a new experience for me on this trip and luckily happened at the end of my trip instead of somewhere in the middle:

Make sure you have enough "real cash money" stashed somewhere to get a tank of gas and a motel room for the night.

The day I arrived at my new apartment this weekend I went to the store to pick up a few essentials - BANG - "Card declined". Immediately called my bank and was told "Someone broke into the computer system, so they had to cancel a bunch of the cards. We tried to contact you at your home number but got no answer (turns out they had an old number)" So, here I am with useless plastic, out of state checks and ID listing a home address in yet a 3rd state - yeah sure we'll cash that for you lady!

Then when my bank tried to arrange a wire transfer, none of the local banks wanted to do this unless I had an account with them! My small town banker commented "They really aren't very friendly there are they?" Finally bank #6 relented and problem solved.

Moral of the story - Keep a cash stash and be sure your bank has your cell phone number.

SnowymtnRN · Jan 29, 2004

We had this happen. Our debit card was declined cuz our direct deposit didn't go thru the date it was supposed to, and we were traveling with my husband (and my 2 year old and 3 week old baby). Stuck in a big city with NO money or food in the house! And we didn't have any checks (had just reordered.) we had to pay a fee to have the bank draft us a cashiers check from a seperate savings account. (long story, our card was flagged, etc..so it wouldn't work if they transferred money, etc..)We got it the next day, but you can imagine how scary it was. What we do now is we have a spending account, and a bill account. Both accounts are checking accounts, we have checks and debit/ATM cards to. We pay bills out of the bill acct, and the other account is for spending, eating out, etc...it works well for us. We also TRY to keep some cash around the house which isn't easy, but we try. We also have VERY poor credit, and didn't want to get sucked up in the whole CC game. So this works for us. Good luck!

cardsnurse · Sep 7, 2004

What companies are withdrawing funds after depositing, that's illeagal!