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If you operate, in any way, in the personal finance blogosphere, you know that Suze Orman just released a branded prepaid debit card. Of course, what’s getting a lot of play in PF blogosphere is how she responded to criticism of the card. Her Twitter account (which I never followed before) has been blocking PF bloggers left and right as they chime in. So, in honor of the brou-ha-ha, this week’s featured blog posts are about Suze!
What We Need from Suze Orman Instead of Another Celebrity-Endorsed Useless Prepaid Debit Card
The post, from PT Money, written after the tweet that started the brawl. It’s a look at what’s wrong with the Approved Card, and what someone proclaiming to help middle-class America get ahead should actually be offering.
Suze Orman’s “Approved Card” Gets Denied; Thinks PF Bloggers Are Idiots
20 and Engaged takes a look at Suze’s (or at least her PR team’s) response to criticism of the card. She takes a look at the fees charged by the card, and shares some of the Twitter traffic surrounding the controversy.
How to Make Your Own Pre-Paid Debit Card — And Suze Orman’s Approved Card
Want your own pre-paid debit card — without the fees? Free From Broke can show you how. Get the same effect, but without having to pay to access your own money.
Suze Orman’s Pre-Paid Debit Card Labeled “Cream Of The Crap”
The Consumerist takes a look the Approved Card. And, while it’s better than most other pre-paid debit cards out there, it’s still a pre-paid debit card. Which means that, by default and thanks to the fees, it still might not be the best product.
Suze Orman’s Card is Not Approved by Me
Thousandaire risks Suze’s wrath himself, and takes down the card. My favorite line from the review: “..being better than horrendous doesn’t make you good; it just makes you better than horrendous.”
Suze Orman’s New Prepaid Debit Card: The Approved Card
Consumerism Commentary offers a look at the Approved Card, and spells out its pros and cons. There are some nice things about this card, but is it really all that great?
Suze Orman Launches Pre-Paid Debit Card, Talks Life Lessons
Over at HuffPo, there is a more positive look at the Approved Card, including Suze’s decision to feed information about card users (anonymous, of course) to TransUnion in the hopes that credit bureaus will start considering debit card activity in their credit profiles.
Sorry, Suze Orman’s New Prepaid Debit Card Won’t Rescue Your Credit
If you were hoping that Suze’s new financial product would salvage your credit score, you’re out of luck, as Business Insider explains. Credit bureaus aren’t excited when you use your own money, without a regular payment schedule.
Other PF Blog Posts
Check out these non-Suze blog posts from around the interwebs:
- Our Ambitious 2012 Personal Finance and Investing Goals at My Own Advisor.
- The House That Credit Card Rewards Build [Infographic] at Credit, Eh.
- Creating a Budget that Works at Wealth Pilgrim.
- How to File Income Taxes Electronically at Frugal Zeitgeist.
- Fixing Bad Credit While Getting Out of Debt at Saving Money Today.
- Shopping For Mortgage Rates: Fixed Vs. Variable at Boomer & Echo.
Carnival
Carnival of Personal Finance hosted @ Wealth Pilgrim
Festival of Frugality hosted @ Magical Penny
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I wanted to write something on the card while the fire is blaring but I don’t think I have the time today due to travel. Luckily it seems the PF Blogosphere has pretty much covered all basis and produced a stunning reaction.
My hopes is that this leads to the card being taken out and showing once again what the customer is capable of doing. Sadly a lot of people blindly follow Suze and I think she has in some ways abused that power with this move.
All we wanted was for her to own up to her decision, explain why she thought this fee-ridden card was so awesome, and maybe even consider a different option for people if she’s really trying to help them. Instead she took the low road. Pissing off personal finance bloggers when that’s your field? Not smart.