Debit Cards are definitely the way to go for people who are financially strapped during these times of financial woes. This way, if you have it, you can spend it, if it's not there; your bank sets the limit of overdraft and let's you know of insufficient funds and you can't spend more than you have in your account. It is not a Visa Card--it comes right out of your checking account, in most cases now, stores are hooked up to the banks for instant transactions. 

 Speaking from past experience, it has helped me to stay within my spending limits. Once you learn to pay for "necessities" first, the...