I need to provide a family member with spending money. They're developmentally disabled, so carrying cash isn't something they can really handle -- they easily misplace it.

Because of her intellectual disability, I have a special kind of checking account set up for her, and it doesn't allow for her to have a debit card. (I am her legal guardian since her parents have died.)

I'd like a pre-paid debit card or visa card that I can load up with $50 for her every other week for shopping trips she takes with a helper. I don't want to pay $5 every time I load it/she uses it/whatever.

Any ideas?

Cash won't really work. She can't connect a debit card to her checking account. She can't write checks. I really need something of a stop in place that won't allow her to overspend at checkout.

I can't decide if I'm overthinking this or if there really is a clever hack. If anyone on the Internet knows though, they're in this sub!

I received an email saying that I received a virtual prepaid worth $100 gift card.

It says to go to MyPrepaidCenter(dot)com to create an account and redeem it.

Is this legit?

Why YSK: A lot of banks and credit unions offer free prepaid debit cards that you can load only what you need. These cards can’t be overdrawn and are a smart way to protect yourself from shady subscriptions and potential fraud.

The Hack: Use these prepaid cards for subscription services like Fabletics, which offer tempting deals but can be notoriously hard to cancel. Load the card just enough to cover the first purchase, and leave the balance at $0 afterward. If they try to charge you again, it simply won’t go through.

Bonus Benefits: • Helps you budget since you can only spend what’s on the card. • Prevents overdraft fees — they don’t go negative. • Adds a layer of fraud protection — if your card number gets stolen, they can’t drain your main account. • Perfect for trials, streaming services, and online purchases where you’re unsure of the vendor.

Real-World Example: I use my prepaid card for Fabletics. I’ve heard too many stories about them making it hard to cancel, so I use it just for the first purchase and keep the balance at zero after. No surprise charges, no drama.