What does a debit card do?

A debit card is designed to directly deduct money from a checking account when a purchase is made. This means that when you use a debit card, you are using your own funds that are already available in your bank account rather than borrowing money or utilizing a line of credit.

This functionality helps individuals manage their spending since the available balance in the checking account limits how much can be spent. Unlike a credit card, which allows for borrowing money that must be repaid later, a debit card operates directly off the funds that you have, making it a straightforward way to control finances and avoid debt.

In contrast, other options involve borrowing or accumulating debt. For example, borrowing money from the bank implies an arrangement involving credit, which is not how a debit card functions. Similar to borrowing, providing a cash advance indicates accessing funds that are not immediately available in the checking account but rather part of a credit line, which again doesn't apply to a debit card. Earning rewards on purchases is a feature more commonly associated with credit cards that offer cashback or points, rather than debit cards.