Apparently, I can learn stuff even from Oldest.

I found out the other day that Oldest doesn't have a bank account -- but she still has a VISA card and can shop online and has her checks deposited.

I was confused, and asked how she can direct deposit her paycheck into a bank account that doesn't exist. That's when I learned she's got a "Prepaid Visa debit card" through Vision Premier.

Vision Premier, I've since learned, offers prepaid Visa cards that you can get online and then have your paycheck deposited onto, so not only do you never have to go to the bank... you don't even have a bank. So no NSF fees, no bank charges, no waiting in line for a teller, and your money is available to you a lot faster than if you have to wait until the end of the day and then drive to the bank to deposit your check.

With average NSF fees around $25 or more, that's kind of important -- between the time and money saved, the Vision Premier prepaid VISA pays for itself -- especially because by doing direct deposit, there's no weekly charge.

The whole thing works just like a debit card -- on ATMs and online (and they even offer to let you pay your bills online) and there's no credit check for it.

I was so impressed with it that I thought we should get one for Middle when she goes off to college in the fall -- that'll keep her from having to travel around with cash, and let her use the card safely, and she can have her checks deposited, too, so she doesn't need to find a bank in Oshkosh.