How to Gain Instant Access to Funds with the Paypal Debit Card

Paypal is a great thing. It is the best way to get paid for online sales and work that you do for online clients, such as Associated Content/Yahoo! Contributor Network. However, it is frustrating to wait three to five days to wait for your funds in your Paypal account to be transferred to your bank account so you can use them. You can have instant access to your Paypal account by applying for the Paypal debit card.

First, you have to apply for the Paypal debit card. Simply go into your account, to your profile, and click on the link for the Paypal debit card. Input the requested information, and sit back and relax for a day or two while your application is processed.

Once your application is approved, you'll receive your debit card in about a week in your mailbox. You must then log back in to your Paypal account and activate the card and choose a PIN number. Once this is complete, you can use your card anywhere credit and debit cards are accepted, including ATMs. If you need your funds to pay bills, you can withdraw funds at the ATM and go into your bank and make a deposit and have instant access to pay bills.

If you are like me, though, and your regular checking account is at an online bank or a bank out-of-state, you may need another option for accessing your money. After much trial and error, I came up with an easy way to get my money in minutes. I simply take my Paypal card to the local grocery store and purchase a money order for the amount of the funds in my Paypal account. You can only purchase money orders with cash or debit card, so this works out well. And I only pay $0.50 for the money order.

Once I receive the money order, I deposit it into my out-of-state bank account. My bank has the technology now to allow customers to make deposits online - you simply scan the check into their online website and it's immediately available for bill paying purposes. In addition, my bank recently rolled out an iPhone application that allows customers to make deposits via iPhone. I can make the deposit at the customer service counter at the grocery store! Then I can pay bills online. This is especially helpful if I have pay coming from one of my online clients and have a bill due that day or the next. I never have to worry about late charges or collections calls!

If you do a lot of online business or work from home, the Paypal debit card is a great option to help you make your money work for you, instead of the other way around.