Debit Den
A little cash can go a long way.

A debit card looks a lot like a credit card, but it’s not quite the same. You can usually use your debit card at stores and restaurants — places you might use a credit card. But rather than receive a bill for what you’ve bought, the money is withdrawn straight from your account. In that way, it’s a little like a check. But that’s not all debit cards can do.

Believe it or not, this bear’s den is one of the stops Jeannie makes when she needs cash on the mountain. You’ve probably seen ATMs, or automatic teller machines, like this one in banks, stores, and restaurants. And you may have seen people getting cash from ATMs, too. But these machines don’t give out free cash — the money comes from your bank account.

To use an ATM, you just swipe your card and then enter your PIN, or personal identification number — the secret password you need to get to your account. Once you’ve entered that number, it’s easy to withdraw money. You just choose the account that you want to withdraw from, type in the amount of money that you want, and wait for the cash to come out. You should probably take a receipt when you’re done, just so you can keep track of your account. And don’t forget to take your debit card!

(Warning sign by the bear: Be sure to keep your PIN a secret!)