Netspend Blog

Want to try a simple budget method? The 50/30/20 budget rule is an easy and effective way to take control of your finances.

Want to improve your credit score? Check out these pro tips on how to improve your credit score over time.

Learn what ACH payments are, how they work, the various benefits of using them, and when to avoid using ACH payments.

Money orders may not be the go-to way to make payments these days, but they still have their place. Get answers to some FAQs to learn more.

Learn why monitoring your credit score can help you save money and give you insight into your long-term financial health.

Interest and payments have been paused for federal student loan borrowers since March 2020, but repayment begins in 2022. Here's what you need to know.

Keep a close eye on your Netspend balance to avoid overspending and make better purchase decisions. Follow these simple steps to check your balance.

Being scammed can feel like having your home invaded. Your sense of trust is broken, and you become determined not to let it happen again. If you've been a victim of a scam, you may not be able to turn back time, but you can use it as an opportunity to learn some valuable lessons. Here are a few examples of what you can do to prevent being scammed in the future.

New to financial planning? There's no need to hire a financial planner to get started. Follow these simple steps to get your finances in order.

Identity theft is more common than you might think. Learn how to protect yourself by following our simple identity theft prevention tips. Identity theft is a common problem that a lot of people aren't prepared for. No one ever expects it to happen to them. To protect yourself, the two best things you can do are educate yourself and put some of our identity theft prevention tips into practice. Below, we cover what you need to know about identity theft, including how to check for identity theft on your credit report and how to report it.

Performing a financial health check is a great way to start off the new year on the right foot. Here are five great ways to get your finances in order.

Not all card issuers offer virtual card numbers, but a few of them do, including Capital One, Citi, and Netspend.1To get a virtual card number for your Netspend Account, sign in to your Online Account Center to create your temporary number. You'll select which prepaid card you want to link to the virtual card number.

It's always a great time to learn how to master your money and take control of your finances. With these seven simple steps, we'll show you how to save and invest more while reducing your expenses so you can work toward achieving your short- and long-term financial goals in 2021. Some of them only take a few minutes to set up.

We've all heard horror stories about IRS tax audits, but is it really as scary as it seems? The fact is that most audits are automated and less intrusive than you realize, with most of them rectified by simply verifying some basic info. While audits shouldn't be ignored, they don't have to rule your life.

A new report released by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners revealed fraud cases are on the rise. In “November 2020, 79% of respondents said they saw an increase in the overall level of fraud”, which steadily rose throughout 2020. This is thought to be in part due to COVID-19 and the resulting financial hardships that people are facing.

Even if you have a professional do your taxes, it's a smart move to become familiar with all of the paperwork needed to file a proper tax return. One of the forms that may be new to you this year is a 1099-MISC. A common tax form for self-employed workers, a 1099-MISC is an essential measure of your income for the year. Here's what you should know about the 1099-MISC tax form before you file your tax returns.

No one wants to schlep to work on their day off to pick up a paycheck or wait for it to arrive in the mail, especially when you've got bills to pay. But there's another way to get paid that's better and faster1 than an old-fashioned paper check — direct deposit.

If you've shopped your favorite store lately, you may have noticed signs letting you know that you can now pay with your phone. With this method of payment growing in popularity, even smaller shops are getting in on the trend. What should you know about using your phone or digital wallet to pay? Here are the basics, along with the perks you can get when you make the switch.

Over the past few months, millions of people have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, many Americans are applying for unemployment benefits and are struggling to find work. Sadly, with so many people applying for benefits, unemployment scams are rife and hard to avoid.

When you lose your job or have your hours reduced, it can create a great deal of stress in an already difficult time. Even if you're not making any money, your monthly bills still need to get paid. While you're looking for a new job, unemployment benefits provide temporary income to help cover your monthly expenses. This unemployment benefits guide will help you understand what they are, who is eligible, and how to easily set up direct deposit to receive your benefits each month. Also, we cover the recent changes to unemployment benefits as a result of COVID-19.

Can’t get a checking or savings account? You might be in the ChexSystems or Early Warning Services databases which are used by banks to determine whether to let you open a savings or checking account. These are two of the primary Bank Account Screening Consumer Reporting Agencies.

Over the years, both prepaid cards and gift cards have evolved to be more consumer friendly. They now come with a variety of features that are designed to make them a great payment method for the consumer. However, before you decide to load money onto either of these payment options, it's important to know the difference between these two cards.

Here you will learn information about what is a digital wallet and even how to use your digital wallet. Add your Netspend card to your digital wallet today!

Phishing, Nigerian letter fraud, and ransomware are scamming tactics that have been used for years, but they’re capturing new victims through an ever-increasing degree of sophistication. This year, phishing – an attempt to get your sensitive information through seemingly trustworthy electronic communications – accounted for 90% of all data breaches, having grown by 65% in just 12 months.

If you've decided that it's time to work on setting goals that will help you achieve more financial balance and financial security, you deserve a hearty pat on the back. It's time to take more control of your finances and start dictating more of your future, but before you're off to the races, take the time to understand what constitutes a reasonable goal that will yield the results you want. Here are five mistakes you should avoid when setting financial goals.

May 29, 2019 -- More Americans are grappling with unpredictable incomes. What’s more, they’re doing so without additional support from employers or the financial services industry at large. In surveying more than 2,700 Americans, Netspend found approximately one in five individuals dealt with monthly income fluctuations. However, only 6% of respondents said their employers provide tools to help mitigate financial instability.

This is a preview of a post from the Liberty Tax blog. The views expressed within the blog are those of Liberty Tax and do not necessarily represent or reflect the view of Netspend®, MetaBank®, or Association. For the entire post, please click here.Most people wish to be done with their taxes as quickly and easily as possible, but filling out your forms too quickly increases the chances of you making a mistake. Making an error on your forms could mean the difference between receiving a tax refund and owing additional taxes. That’s why the folks over at Liberty Tax have put together the top 10 most common mistakes people make when filing their taxes.

Everybody wants to pay less taxes, and with good planning throughout the year, you can make it happen. You can reduce your taxable income, help yourself, and help others. It’s easier than you may think.

The views expressed within the blog do not represent or reflect the view of MetaBank® , National Association, or Association.