First, know how a debit card works, know what you need to do to use it responsibly, and know the extra benefits and perks that you could have so that you choose the right debit card.

What is a debit card? A debit card is a card that resembles a credit card, allowing users to access their funds immediately, electronically. But does not involve the use of credit, rather it is like an automatic check, that deducts immediately by using the same electronic system that a credit card would use.

A debit card allows you to take money out of your account electronically whether it is while purchasing goods, or taking out cash. One of the benefits of a debit card is that you can get one for any kind of account. Money taken out of account, can be checking or savings. This means that you can have emergency access to savings, through a debit card.

Something of value to note about debit cards is that while they take money directly from your deposit account, the card does not contain checking or saving account numbers. Thus, if you lose the card, you can cancel it, and not be in danger of someone having your bank account number. Additionally, many debit cards come with an insurance of sorts that says that if someone steals your card, or you lose it, and someone uses it after they find it, you can get the money back, and the company will dispute the charge, and get reimbursement for it. Thus, they are fairly safe, and much safer than carrying around cash, which if lost, is just lost. So, look for a company that offers some form of insurance for theft or loss.

In summary, using a debit card offers convenience, but you need to keep track of purchases and control expenses. It is not really any different from writing checks except that it is immediate, and electronic. However, if you write a check and don't have the funds to cover it, you overdraw your account, or bounce your check. A debit card purchase is the same. It deducts funds from your account, so if you don't have enough money to cover the purchase, it will decline. Because it is not credit based, you have to be careful that you don't forget about purchases, as that will mean not knowing where you are at financially with your accounts.

Many people who use a debit card regularly also carry around a check register, and basically register their purchases, just as they would if they wrote a check, so that they can then balance their accounts, and make sure they have the funds to cover their bills, other purchases, etc.