Sesame Street Visa® Prepaid Card

Colorful, whimsical and practical - while no one would describe their finances with such adjectives, neither would anyone say balancing your budget, protecting your money and making smart financial choices has to be bland, either. The Sesame Street Design Prepaid Visa is one example of how you can make smart money choices, but with a bit of color and pop. These delightful designs are part of the Sesame Street partnership with Visa's debit card program. With more than 50 whimsical, fun and colorful designs to choose from, it's a versatile and creative approach for consumers.

There are never any overdraft fees, late fees, penalties or declined applications. You don't have to worry about maintaining a minimum balance, either, since you determine your credit line via your deposits. It's a great way of keeping your purchasing power in your wallet but without the security risks associated with carrying cash. This particular segment of the credit industry has grown tremendously in recent years as more consumers begin looking for lower fees and more versatile choices when it comes to their money. Having grown tired of frustrating and seemingly random fees and charges, a less than clear idea of what the terms and conditions were for any financial product and a lack of convenience, many consumers had begun to wonder why someone hadn't realized it and provided a solution. Soon, though, a newer and more contemporary niche was carved. With a stronger focus on consumer needs and wants, an entirely new perspective was created.

In fact, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which oversees the American financial sector and how it affects American consumers, has already put into place rules for how these preferred cards are marketed to consumers. With more than half of Americans between 18 and 25 carrying at least one credit and debit card, it's obvious just how quickly these important products are growing. It reveals much about the way today's younger consumers see their credit and financial options.

Even as traditional credit card use has declined in recent years, the use of debit and prepaid products has been on the rise. One in three American households now use these types of cards. To be sure, those partnerships between financial institutions and credit card networks are finally addressing the needs of those who have no interest in the higher interest rates and heavy fee- laden traditional credit cards. That's not to say they're no longer being used; consumers are simply reaching for these more affordable cards in their wallets.

Using your Sesame Street card is easy, too. In fact, if you load at least $800 each month onto your prepaid Visa via direct deposit, we'll waive the monthly maintenance fee. Plus, there are no card activation fees, no enrollment fees, no point of sale (POS) transaction fees, reload fees and even as other companies charge you just to speak with a customer service representative, you won't face that fee with your Sesame Street card. Other fees are lower than many of the other offers you'll come across, too.

Wondering how it works? It's easy. Sign up on the cards.com website and choose from the more than 50 Sesame Street designs.
Submit the information needed to verify your identity and once that's completed, we'll send your new colorful and whimsical Sesame Street prepaid card. There are no credit checks and no fees requiring you to 'pay before we approve'. You also have countless options for reloading your card, too. In fact, we employ the absolute latest in technology - all for our customers. Add cash through easy Direct Deposit, Green Dot Reload at the Register, Western Union, MoneyGram, Virtual Wallet and PayPal. You can also use your smart phone to deposit checks. Our photo-capture a check lets you use our convenient Android and iPhone apps to make instant deposits. It's all about simplifying the process for our customers. Having problems? We can fix it. Our around the clock customer service team stands ready to provide guidance and answer questions, day or night. The best part? It's free.

Ready to see for yourself the difference these financial solutions make? Head on over, select your favorite Sesame Street design and you'll get your new prepaid Visa out in no time.

The review prepared by CreditCardsCo™. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer.