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Ready to buy your own home? There’s a lot to consider, especially if this is your first time applying for a mortgage and you’re carrying debt. While having debt is not necessarily a deal-breaker when you’re applying for a mortgage, it can be a factor when it comes to how much you’ll be able to borrow, the interest rate you might pay, and other terms of the loan.

Understanding how the home loan process works can help you decide whether it’s better to pay off debt or save up for a downpayment on a home. Here’s what you need to know.

How to Manage Debt before Buying a Home

Understand Your Debt-to-Income Ratio

When lenders want to be sure borrowers can responsibly manage a mortgage payment along with the debt they’re carrying, they typically use a formula called the debt-to-income ratio (DTI).

The DTI ratio is calculated by dividing a borrower’s recurring monthly debt payments (future mortgage, credit cards, student loans, car loans, etc.) by gross monthly income.

The lower the DTI, the less risky borrowers may appear to lenders, who traditionally have hoped to see that all debts combined do not exceed 43% of gross earnings.

Here’s an example:

Let’s say a couple pays $600 combined each month for their auto loans, $240 for a student loan, and $200 toward credit card debt, and they want to have a $2,000 mortgage payment. If their combined gross monthly income is $8,000, their DTI ratio would be 38% ($3,040 is 38% of $8,000).

The couple in our example is on track to get their loan. But if they wanted to qualify for a higher loan amount, they might decide to reduce their credit card balances before applying.

That 43% threshold isn’t set in stone, by the way. Some mortgage lenders will have their own preferred number, and some may make exceptions based on individual circumstances. Still, it can be helpful to know where you stand before you start the homebuying process.

Recommended: How to Prepare for Buying a New Home

Consider How Debt Affects Your Credit Score

A mediocre credit score doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be able to get a mortgage loan. Lenders also look at employment history, income, and other factors when making their decisions. But your credit score and the information on your credit reports will likely play a major role in determining whether you’ll qualify for the mortgage you want and the interest rate you want to pay.

Typically, a FICO® Score of 620 will be enough to get a conventional mortgage, but someone with a lower score still may be able to qualify. Or they might be eligible for an FHA or VA backed loan. The bottom line: The higher your score, the more options you can expect to have when applying for a loan.

A few factors go into determining a credit score, but payment history and credit usage are the categories that typically hold the most weight. Payment history takes into account your record of making on-time or late payments, or if you’ve filed for bankruptcy.

Credit usage looks at how much you owe in loans and on your credit cards. An important consideration in this category is your credit utilization rate, which is the amount of revolving credit you’re currently using divided by the total amount of revolving credit you have available. Put more simply, it’s how much you currently owe divided by your credit limit. It is generally expressed as a percent. The lower your rate, the better. Many lenders prefer a utilization rate under 30%.

Does that mean you should pay off all credit card debt before buying a house?

Not necessarily. Debt isn’t the devil when it comes to your credit score. Borrowers who show that they can responsibly manage some debt and make timely payments can expect to maintain a good score. Meanwhile, not having any credit history at all could be a problem when applying for a loan.

The key is in consistency — so borrowers may want to avoid making big payments, big purchases, or balance transfers as they go through the loan process. Mortgage underwriters may question any noticeable changes in your credit score during this time.

Recommended: What Credit Score is Required to Buy a House?

Don’t Forget, You May Need Ready Cash

Making big debt payments also could cause problems if it leaves you short of cash for other things you might need as you move through the homebuying process, including the following.

Down Payment

Whether your goal is to put down 20% or a smaller amount, you’ll want to have that money ready when you find the home you hope to buy.

Closing Costs

The cost of home appraisals, inspections, title searches, etc., can add up quickly. Average closing costs are 3% to 6% of the full loan amount.

Moving Expenses

Even a local move can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, so you’ll want to factor relocation expenses into your budget. If you’re moving for work, your employer could offer to cover some or all of those costs, but you may have to pay upfront and wait to be reimbursed.

Remodeling and Redecorating Costs

You may want to leave yourself a little cash to cover any new furniture, paint, renovation projects, or other things you require to move into your home.

Be Aware of Housing Market Trends

Trends in the housing market may help you with prioritizing saving or paying down debt. So it’s a good idea to pay attention to what’s going on with the overall economy, your local real estate market, and real estate trends in general.

Here are some things to watch for.

Interest Rates

When interest rates are low, homeownership is more affordable. A lower interest rate keeps the monthly payment down and reduces the long-term cost of owning a home.

Rising interest rates aren’t necessarily a bad thing, though, especially if you’ve been struggling to find a home in a seller’s market. If higher rates thin the herd of potential buyers, a seller may be more open to negotiating and lowering a home’s listing price.

Either way, it’s good to be aware of where rates are and where they might be going.

Inventory

When you start your home search, you may want to check on the average amount of time homes in your desired location sit on the market. This can be a good indicator of how many houses are for sale in your area and how many buyers are out there looking. (A local real estate agent can help you get this information.)

If inventory is low and buyers are snapping up houses, you may have trouble finding a house at the price you want to pay. If inventory is high, it’s considered a buyer’s market and you may be able to get a lower price on your dream home.

Price

If you pay too much and then decide to sell, you could have a hard time recouping your money.

The goal, of course, is to find the right home at the right price, with the right mortgage and interest rate, when you have your financial ducks in a row.

If the trends are telling you to wait, you may decide to prioritize paying off your debts and working on your credit score.

Remember, You Can Modify Your Mortgage Terms

If you already have a mortgage, you may be able to make some adjustments to the original loan by refinancing to different terms.

Refinancing can help borrowers who are looking for a lower interest rate, a shorter loan term, or the opportunity to stop paying for private mortgage insurance or a mortgage insurance premium.

Consider a Debt Payoff Plan

If you decide to make paying down your debt your goal, it can be useful to come up with a plan that gets you where you want to be. Many of the financial changes would-be buyers make to save money for a home will also work to help you pay down debt. In an April 2024 SiFi survey of 500 prospective homeowners, cutting back on nonessential expenses was the most popular step — 49% of people had tried it. Almost as many (41%) had taken on an additional job or side hustle. And more than one in four people (26%) had downsized their current living situation to cut costs.

As you think about saving to pay down debt, remember that not all debt is not created equal. Credit card debt interest rates are typically higher than other types of borrowed money, so those balances can be more expensive to carry over time. Also, loans for education are often considered “good debt,” while credit card debt is often viewed as “bad debt.” As a result, lenders may be more understanding about your student loan debt when you apply for a mortgage.

As long as you’re making the required payments on all your obligations, it may make sense to focus on dumping some credit card debt.

Recommended: Beginners Guide to Good and Bad Debt

The Takeaway

Should you pay off debt before buying a house? Not necessarily, but you can expect lenders to take into consideration how much debt you have and what kind it is. Considering a solution that might reduce your payments or lower your interest rate could improve your chances of getting the home loan you want.

When you consolidate your credit card debt, you typically take out a personal loan, ideally with a lower rate than you’re paying your credit cards, and use it to pay off all of your credit cards. You then end up with one balance and one payment to make each month. This simplified the debt repayment process and can also help you save money on interest.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

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If you’re thinking about refinancing your home loan or paying off your mortgage early, you might request a mortgage payoff statement. The amount due on this document is likely to be different from your current balance because it includes interest owed until the payoff date and any fees due.

Read on to learn more about what a mortgage payoff statement or letter is and when you might need one.

What Is a Mortgage Payoff Statement?

Starting with mortgage basics, a mortgage is a loan used to purchase different types of real estate, including a primary home. A bank or other lender agrees to lend money, which the borrower commits to pay back monthly for a set period of time and with interest.

The different types of mortgage loans include conventional and government-insured mortgages and reverse mortgages.

There are jumbo loans, which exceed the dollar limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and home equity loans.

Say you have a mortgage and want to know exactly how much you’d need to pay to satisfy the loan. A mortgage payoff letter will tell you that magic number. Unlike your current balance, the payoff amount includes interest owed up to the day you intend to pay off the loan. It may also include fees that you’re on the hook for and haven’t paid yet.

Your monthly mortgage statement, on the other hand, only shows your loan balance and the amount due for your next monthly payment.


💡 Quick Tip: You’ve found an award-winning home. Enjoy an award-winning mortgage experience, too. SoFi has knowledgeable Mortgage Loan Officers to guide you through the process.

How Does a Mortgage Payoff Statement Work?

You can request a payoff statement from your loan servicer at any time. Note: Your mortgage servicer may be different from your lender. The company that manages your loan handles billing, accepts loan payments, keeps track of your principal and interest, and fields questions from borrowers.

You may request a payoff statement for any type of loan, including mortgages, student loans, personal loans, and auto loans. However, if you need your mortgage payoff statement, go to your mortgage servicer directly. The name and contact information of your mortgage servicer is included in your monthly statements.

When you make the request from the company that handles your mortgage servicing, you’ll need to provide the following details:

•   Your name

•   Address

•   Phone number

•   Your loan number

•   The date you want your payoff to be effective if you’re seeking to pay off your mortgage early.

Asking for a payoff statement does not necessarily mean that you intend to pay off your loan immediately. You may simply be determining whether or not paying off your mortgage early is feasible, for example. The request itself does not initiate the prepayment process.

Traditional lenders, such as brick-and-mortar banks, may mail you a paper mortgage payoff statement. Online lenders may send a payoff statement online.

Recommended: 5 Tips for Finding a Mortgage Lender

What Information Do Mortgage Payoff Letters Contain?

All mortgage payoff letters tend to contain similar information, including:

•   Payoff amount: The amount of money that would satisfy the loan.

•   Expiration date: The date through which the payoff amount is valid. The letter may also include an adjusted amount should you pay before or after the expiration date.

•   Payment information: The letter will also usually tell you who to make the final check out to and where to mail it.

•   Additional charges: You will be alerted to any additional fees and charges that you’ll need to include.

💡 Quick Tip: Your parents or grandparents probably got mortgages for 30 years. But these days, you can get them for 20, 15, or 10 years — and pay less interest over the life of the loan.

Do You Need a Mortgage Payoff Statement?

There are a few common situations in which you might need a payoff statement.

•   Refinancing a mortgage: When you refinance your mortgage, your chosen lender pays off your old home loan with a new one, preferably with a lower interest rate and possibly a new term. When you seek to refinance, your new lender may ask you to provide a payoff statement on your current loan.

•   Prepaying a mortgage: It’s possible to pay off a mortgage early. A payoff statement will show you exactly how much you’d need to pay to do so. Most prepayment penalties for residential home loans that originated after January 10, 2014, are prohibited. Still, check before you decide to prepay.

•   Working with a debt relief company: If you’re having trouble managing your debts, you’ve fallen behind on payments, or you otherwise need mortgage relief, you may choose to work with a debt relief company that can help negotiate with your lenders. The company will need to see payoff statements to get an idea of the scope of your debt.

“No matter what method works best for you, it’s important to cut spending as much as you can while you’re tackling your debts,” said Kendall Meade, a Certified Financial Planner at SoFi.

•   Collections and liens: A lender might send you a payoff statement if you’ve fallen behind on your payments and they are sending your debt to a collection agency. In this case, the payoff statement may tell you how much you need to pay to stop the collection action.

   If your lender decides to seize your home to recoup unpaid mortgage payments, they may place a lien on the property. They may send a payoff statement that alerts you that your property will be seized if the specified amount isn’t paid in full.

There are other ways to figure out how much you owe on your mortgage loan. You can talk to your lender and ask for a verbal payoff quote. This will provide an estimate, but understand that it is not a legal agreement and isn’t binding.

The Takeaway

If you have a home loan, you may want to request a mortgage payoff statement, especially if you’re thinking about refinancing or paying off your mortgage early. Requesting the mortgage payoff letter does not initiate any formal processes, so it’s fine to think of it as an information-gathering exercise.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.

FAQ

How do I get my mortgage payoff statement?

Contact your loan servicer to request your mortgage payoff statement.

When should I get my mortgage payoff statement?

Request your mortgage payoff statement when planning to prepay your mortgage, refinance, or consolidate debt.

How long does it take to get a mortgage payoff statement?

Generally speaking, you should receive your mortgage payoff statement within seven business days of your request.

Photo credit: iStock/Vadym Pastukh

*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

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Mortgage rates have risen considerably recently, from an average of 2.96% for a 30-year fixed-rate loan at the end of 2021 to around 6% to 7% at the midpoint of 2023. But despite it being more expensive to borrow money for a home, refinancing is still an attractive option for many homeowners. It allows you to replace your current mortgage with a new, potentially more advantageous one.

Perhaps you decided that you’d like to change your loan term, or you received a windfall you’d like to put toward lowering your mortgage ASAP. Another possibility is that you’ve built up equity and would like to tap it in a cash-out refinance.

Whatever your situation may be, here’s what you need to know about refinancing a home mortgage loan, from whether it’s right for you to what steps are involved to how much it will cost.

What Is Mortgage Refinancing?

Mortgage refinancing occurs when you replace one home loan with a new one. You might do so for such reasons as:

•  To get a different loan term (say, 15 years instead of 30, or vice versa)

•  To get a better interest rate

•  To tap your home equity

•  To make a switch between a fixed- and adjustable-rate loan

•  To get rid of mortgage insurance on an FHA loan.

You need to go through the loan application process, underwriting, and closing again and pay the related costs. The new loan will pay off the old one. Then, going forward, you pay the new lender every month instead of your previous one.

Mortgage Refinancing Costs

Refinancing will generally cost from 2% to 5% of your loan’s principal value in closing costs. That’s a significant range, so it can be wise to shop around to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Since you’re essentially applying for a new loan, you will likely need a chunk of cash at the ready if you choose to refinance. For this reason, it’s important to consider those refinancing costs compared to the potential savings. A good rule of thumb is to be certain you can recoup the cost of the refinance in two to three years — which means you shouldn’t have immediate plans to move.

There are helpful online calculators for determining approximate costs for a mortgage refinance. Of course, this will only be an estimate, and each lender will be different. As you do your research, lenders can provide final closing cost information alongside a quote for your new mortgage rate.

When you refinance, you also have to consider closing costs. Some lenders may not have origination fees, but instead charge the borrower a higher interest rate.

If you have a history of managing credit well and a strong financial position, there are some mortgage refinancing lenders that will probably reward you by offering a better rate than they would charge those with lesser credentials.

Recommended: Home Affordability Calculator

How Long Does a Mortgage Refinance Take?

The process can take anywhere from 30 to 45 days or longer to complete. Factors that impact timing include the complexity of the loan, your ability to submit materials in a timely fashion, and the efficiency of the lender and/or broker.

If you want the process to move quickly, you may want to look for mortgage lenders who offer more streamlined service and a better customer experience. This may mean working with an online lender versus, say, a brick-and-mortar bank.

How to Refinance a Home Mortgage Loan

When you refinance a home mortgage, you are essentially repeating the same process as when you originally bought your property. This time, however, instead of the loan going to the homeowner you are buying a house from, funds will first go to the financial institution that holds your current mortgage. Once that loan is paid off, your newly refinanced loan kicks in. You start making payments to the new lender.

Because you are replacing one mortgage with another, you can expect the steps to be similar as they were when you got your original loan, from shopping around for the best loan for your situation to providing the necessary documentation to closing.

Steps in the Mortgage Refinancing Process

Here’s a closer look at the process:

1.   Determine your goal. The first (and arguably most important) step is to determine what you want to get out of your mortgage loan refinance. There are several mortgage refinance types, but “rate and term” and “cash-out” are the two most common.

Just as the name implies, a “rate and term” refinance updates the interest rate, the term (or duration) of the loan, or both. You can also switch between an adjustable- vs. a fixed-rate loan.

It is important to understand that not every refinance will save you money on interest. For example, if you extend the loan term from 15 to 30 years, you may lower your monthly payment, but you could end up paying more money in interest over the course of your loan.

Once you determine your goal, your primary focus will be determining whether the fees are worth what you’ll gain.

With a cash-out refinance, you are using increased equity in your home to take out additional money on your mortgage.

This is usually done to fund common home repairs or pay off other, higher-interest debt. While this kind of loan can be an excellent tool if you use it wisely, as with all loans, it’s rarely advisable to take out more than you absolutely need.

2.   Check your credit score and credit history for errors. Your credit score is an important factor in determining whether you get a better rate. Make sure you take time to clear up anything that’s been reported erroneously on your credit report. You might also want to remedy, say, an unpaid bill that was forwarded to a collection agency. These are factors that can lower your score.

3.   Research your home’s approximate value. Check comparable sale prices — not just listing prices — in your neighborhood to get an idea of what your house is worth. If the value of your home has gone up significantly and improves your loan-to-value ratio (LTV), this will be helpful in securing the best refinancing rate.

4.   Compare refinance rates online. It’s wise to shop around and see what at least a few lenders offer. Don’t forget to ask about all costs involved. Most financial institutions should be able to give you an estimate, but the accuracy can depend on how well you know your credit score and LTV ratio.

5.   Get your paperwork together. The process will move faster if you have your pay stubs, bank statements, tax filings, and other pertinent financial information ready to go.

6.   Have cash on hand. Refinancing brings charges, and at closing, such items as overdue property taxes can need to be paid, too. Make sure you can cover these costs.

7.   Track the lender’s progress. Once the process is underway, keep an eye on how well things are moving ahead. What typically happens: The lender will likely send an appraiser for a home inspection. After the loan documentation and appraisal are submitted, loan officers determine the interest rate and create the loan closing documents. The closing is then scheduled with the refinancing company, mortgage broker, and your attorney.

Reasons to Refinance

As mentioned above, there are several typical reasons to refinance:

•  Reducing your monthly payment

•  Paying off your loan sooner

•  Changing the loan terms or type (fixed- vs. adjustable-rate)

•  Tapping your home equity

•  Eliminating mortgage insurance on an FHA loan.

Benefits of Refinancing

By refinancing your home loan, your monthly mortgage payments might be reduced. This in turn could free up money in your budget to go toward other goals, like paying down credit card debt or pumping up your emergency fund.

In addition, you might pay off your loan sooner, which could save you a considerable amount in interest over the life of the loan.

Refinancing your mortgage might also allow you to tap equity in your home. This could be useful if, say, you need those funds for educational or other expenses coming your way.

Also, some people who switch from an adjustable- to a fixed-rate loan may feel more secure with a set, unwavering payment schedule.

Recommended: First-Time Homebuyer Programs

Tips to Refinance a Mortgage

Beyond the tips mentioned above, you may also benefit from keeping these points in mind:

•  Think carefully about no-closing-cost loans. Yes, not paying closing costs can sound appealing, but there’s a good chance you will wind up with a higher interest rate and paying more over the life of the loan.

•  Make your appraisal a success. It can be distressing to have an appraisal come in low and throw a wrench into the works as you try to refinance. If there’s a glaring issue (rotting porch posts, for instance), it might be wise to fix it before the appraiser visits.

•  Prioritize requests for paperwork and documentation when your file is moving through underwriting. Not doing so can cause the process to drag on for longer than anyone might want.

The Takeaway

Depending on your financial situation and goals, refinancing your home loan can be a wise move. You may be able to lower your monthly payments, or you might shorten your loan term, thereby saving a considerable amount in interest. Another reason to refinance: To tap the equity you have built up in your home and use that cash elsewhere. The process is very similar to shopping for, applying for, and closing on your current mortgage. It will involve doing your research, providing documentation, and paying closing costs.

If refinancing is right for you, see what SoFi offers. With a SoFi Mortgage Refinance, you’ll find competitive rates, flexible terms, and a streamlined process, all of which can help you find just the right loan for your life.

FAQ

What is the average refinance fee?

Typically, you can expect to pay between 2% to 5% of the loan’s principal in closing costs when refinancing a mortgage.

Is it expensive to refinance?

The cost of refinancing will typically vary with the amount of the loan you are seeking. If closing costs are, say, 3.5% of the loan principal, that will be $3,500 on a $100K loan and $35,000 on a $1 million loan. It can also be helpful to compare these closing costs to the benefits of refinancing. For instance, you might free up more money every month to pay down pricey credit card debt, or you might shorten your loan term and pay less interest over the life of the loan when refinancing.

Why is it so expensive to refinance a mortgage?

When you refinance a loan, you are replacing your current loan with a new one. Closing costs are assessed to cover the expenses involved, including appraisal fees and other charges.

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

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Some people choose to pay their bills with a prepaid card, such as a gift card or a reloadable prepaid debit card. This can help with budgeting, since you can set a specific amount of money that goes on your prepaid card. In addition, you don’t have to worry about overdrawing your bank account and can avoid racking up high-interest credit card debt. However, these cards can come with fees and other downsides.

Here, learn how this financial product works so you can decide if paying bills with a prepaid card is right for you.

Understanding Prepaid Cards

There are a few different types of prepaid cards, and while they share some similarities, it’s important to understand how they differ.

What Are Prepaid Cards?

Prepaid cards are similar to debit cards, but rather than drawing on your checking account, they pull from funds loaded onto the card. These cards are typically issued by a major processing network without a credit check.

The fact that these cards often use Visa, Mastercard, or American Express processing networks and have the company’s logo on them is why you may sometimes hear them referred to as “prepaid credit cards,” but they don’t offer a line of credit or potentially accrue interest as standard credit cards do. Rather, using a prepaid card usually means that you can use your card anywhere that the processing network on your card is accepted, up to the balance available on the card.

How Prepaid Cards Work

There are a few different kinds of prepaid cards, and they work in slightly different ways.

•   Prepaid gift card: You can buy these prepaid gift cards online and in person at many major retailers. Prepaid gift cards come in different amounts, and usually have a small activation fee that you’ll have to pay in addition to the face value of the gift card. Once you purchase and activate your prepaid gift card, you can use it anywhere that the processing network (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) is accepted. Once you have used up the value of the gift card, it is considered empty and you can’t add funds to it.

•   Prepaid reloadable card: With a prepaid reloadable card (sometimes referred to as a reloadable or prepaid debit card), you can add money to your card at any time, either through a cash deposit, direct deposit of a paycheck or government check, a tax refund, or other ways. You may also be able to reload it by transferring funds from an online bank account or by adding cash at some banks, ATMs, or retail locations. Many prepaid reloadable cards also allow you to pay bills online in addition to using your prepaid card online or at a retailer.

Recommended: High-Yield Savings Account Calculator

Benefits of Paying Bills With a Prepaid Card

There are pros and cons of prepaid debit cards. Here’s a look at some of the benefits of paying bills with a prepaid card.

Budgeting and Spending Control

One of the best reasons to use a prepaid card to pay your bills is the ability to set limits which can help as you work to make a budget and stick to it. You control the amount of money that is on a prepaid card, which means that you can control how much you spend. Prepaid cards could also be part of a plan to avoid high-interest credit card debt because you are only spending the cash amount on the card vs. drawing against a line of credit.

Tip: One way to budget by using prepaid cards is to have several different prepaid cards, one for each category in your budget. That way you can more easily limit how much you spend in any one category.

No Credit Check or Approval Required

Unlike a traditional credit card, there is no credit check or approval required to buy a prepaid debit card. You simply buy the card, pay any activation fee that is required, and the card is available for use. That can make paying bills with a prepaid card an attractive option for people with no credit or those with poor credit.

It’s worth noting that activity on these prepaid debit cards isn’t reported to the credit bureaus, and you therefore cannot build credit with prepaid debit cards. However, they could help you avoid negative situations, such as increasing your credit utilization ratio, which might harm your score. (Secured credit cards, however, which require a down payment as collateral to borrow against, may help build credit.)

Avoiding Overdraft Fees

Another benefit of paying bills with a prepaid card is that you can avoid overdraft fees. Unlike a debit or credit card, with a prepaid card, the amount of money on your card is fixed. And if you try to make a purchase for an amount that is higher than is on your card, your purchase will likely not be approved.

While that can be frustrating, it does mean that you can avoid overdraft fees which can occur if, say, you have set up utility bill autopayments but don’t have enough cash to cover the amount one month. These fees can be as high as $35 or $40 a pop, so it can make good financial sense to dodge them.

Potential Drawbacks of Using Prepaid Cards

While there are benefits to paying your bills with prepaid cards, there are also some possible drawbacks as well.

Fees and Charges

While you can avoid overdraft fees by using prepaid cards, there are some fees and charges that you might incur. Many prepaid cards charge an activation fee that you pay when you purchase a card. These are often between $1 and $10. Also, some cards also charge an inactivity fee, if you don’t use the card in a certain time period, and/or a monthly maintenance fee. Make sure you understand any fees and charges on your prepaid card before buying and using one.

Limited Protections and Fraud Liability

Another potential downside of using a prepaid card as compared to a credit card is that credit cards typically have better purchase and fraud protection. When you use a prepaid card, you may be giving up some of those protections.

It’s worth knowing that many prepaid debit cards, however, now offer protections similar to those of standard debit cards linked to a checking account. Check the card’s terms to see what coverage you may have. You may need to register the card to access these benefits.

You also need to be aware that there is not always a way to register a prepaid gift card or create an account. So if you lose your prepaid gift card, there may not be a way to get that money back. Guard your prepaid cards like you would cash.

Acceptance Issues

Most gift cards or prepaid debit cards are issued by a major processing network such as Mastercard or Visa. That means that those cards are usually accepted anywhere that network is accepted. However, you may find some situations where a store or online retailer may not accept a prepaid gift card as valid payment for some types of purchases. (For instance, if a merchant has had issues with declined transactions using this type of card, they may not accept them.) Consider checking with your retailer to see if your card will be accepted before planning on making a major or time-sensitive purchase with a prepaid card.

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Setting Up Bill Payments With a Prepaid Card

You can use some prepaid debit or prepaid credit cards to set up your bill payments. For example, your prepaid card typically will come with a 16-digit card number, similar to a debit or credit card. Simply use that number when you are setting up your bill payments. You’ll just want to make sure that you have enough money on your card to pay your bill. This is especially true if you are using a reloadable card for recurring payments.

Managing Your Finances With a Prepaid Card

It is possible to pay your bills and manage your finances using prepaid cards. This can be a good option for someone who doesn’t have a checking account or doesn’t want or can’t use credit cards. If you do decide to manage all (or most) of your finances using prepaid cards, you’ll likely want to get a reloadable prepaid card. That way you don’t have to continually buy new cards as your funds run out — instead, you can just add funds onto your existing reloadable card.

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The Takeaway

Prepaid cards are typically issued by one of the major card processing networks such as American Express, Mastercard, and Visa. You can either buy prepaid gift cards, which generally are loaded with a set amount and can’t be reloaded, or reloadable prepaid debit cards. Reloadable cards allow you to add additional funds to the card as needed. There are both advantages and disadvantages to using prepaid cards to pay bills, so make sure you understand both the pros and cons before deciding to pay bills with a prepaid card.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

FAQ

Can I pay any type of bill with a prepaid card?

Most prepaid cards are processed by a card network such as Visa or Mastercard. So you can typically use your prepaid card anywhere that network is accepted. However, some bills are not payable with this kind of card, so you may have to make other arrangements. Check with the intended payee to see what options may be available.

Are prepaid card transactions secure and safe?

Prepaid card transactions are generally processed by the card processing network that is indicated on the card itself (usually Visa, Mastercard, or American Express). As such, these transactions are as safe as any other transactions that are on the same network. Just keep in mind that these cards may not have much protection if they are lost or stolen, so guard them carefully.

What happens if I run out of funds on my prepaid card?

What happens if you run out of funds on your prepaid card depends on what type of prepaid card that you have. Many prepaid cards work more like gift cards in that they have a certain amount of money loaded onto them, and when that money runs out, the card has no value. However, some prepaid cards are reloadable, meaning that you can add additional funds onto the card and continue to use it.

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SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 3.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 3.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Separately, SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days can also earn 3.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. For additional details, see the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus.

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