The phrase “plastic money” was coined in the early 1950s when credit cards were introduced. The cards were made of plastic, which was a new material at the time. Plastic money is also used to describe debit cards and prepaid credit cards.
There are pros and cons to using plastic money. The pros are that it’s more convenient than carrying cash, it can help you stay within your budget, and it can make buying things online easier. The cons are that it can be easy to overspend, it can be hard to track your spending, and there are some risks associated with using credit cards (such as identity theft).
Types of Plastic Money
There are many types of plastic money. The most common are credit cards and debit cards.
Credit Cards
Credit cards are issued by banks, and allow consumers to borrow money up to a certain limit in order to purchase items or withdraw cash. These credit cards are also known as charge cards. Credit cards can be used to purchase items at a store, or to withdraw cash from an ATM. The interest rates on credit cards are usually high, and the minimum monthly payments can be expensive.
Debit Cards
Debit cards allow consumers to spend money that they already have in their bank accounts. When a debit card is used, the funds are transferred immediately from the consumer’s bank account into the merchant’s account. Debit cards can be used to make purchases at a store or to withdraw cash from an ATM. There are usually no fees associated with using a debit card for transactions at a store, but there may be fees for withdrawing cash from an ATM. In addition, some banks offer rewards programs for customers who use their debit cards frequently.
Prepaid Cards
Prepaid cards are another type of plastic money. These cards are loaded with a certain amount of cash and can be used wherever credit or debit cards are accepted. The prepaid card issuer will often charge a fee for each transaction, as well as an annual fee for holding the card. These cards are popular with consumers who do not have a bank account, or who want to avoid the fees associated with traditional checking and savings accounts.
Who Provides Plastic Money?
Credit unions are another type of financial institution that offers plastic money. Credit unions are not-for-profit organizations that are owned by their members. They usually offer lower interest rates on loans and higher interest rates on savings products than banks. Credit unions also often charge lower fees for using their services than banks.
There are also many types of prepaid cards available, including debit cards, credit cards, and gift cards. Prepaid cards can be used to make purchases at stores or online, or to withdraw cash from ATMs. The fees associated with prepaid cards vary depending on the card issuer and the type of
Credit unions and community banks also offer their own branded debit cards, which can sometimes provide better rewards and lower fees than those offered by larger banks.
History of Plastic Money
The history of plastic money began in the early 1920s when American Express issued the first credit card. But it was not until the late 1970s that bank cards really took off. This was due to a number of factors, including the rise of personal computers and the development of electronic funds transfer (EFT).
Today, there are a variety of plastic cards available, including debit cards, charge cards, and prepaid cards. In most cases, these cards are accepted at millions of locations around the world.
Conclusion
Plastic money in the short term is money that is in a plastic form which means you can use it without having to carry the money with you. It’s just a card that you swipe and the money is transferred from your account to the other person’s account. There are no restrictions on what you can purchase with your plastic card. However, some merchants may not accept certain types of cards. It’s important to review the terms and conditions of your specific card before making a purchase.