How to use paypal balance to send money

• You can add money to your PayPal account at any time using your linked bank account.
• There are no fees when you transfer money to PayPal from your bank, and you can always send it back again.
• PayPal does not require you to keep money in your account as long as your linked bank account works, but a PayPal account with easily accessible cash can simplify and speed up payments.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

If you're like me and a lot of people these days, PayPal handles a lot of bills for you. 

With Netflix, eBay, and various other services linked to a PayPal account,  the fees are all handled automatically without having to do so much as click a link or tap on an app.

However, because I'm never exactly sure when a PayPal charge is coming, I always leave a cushion of cash in the account. I also like knowing that with cash in my account I can immediately send money if I have access to a phone or computer that has access to the web.

If you want to make sure you have access to immediate funds if you ever need it, pad your PayPal account by adding some money. Here's how.

How to add money to your PayPal account

1. Log into your PayPal account and click "Transfer Money" under your balance on the home page.

2. On the next page, click "Add money to your balance."

3. Enter the amount of cash you wish to transfer from your bank, then hit "Add."

4. On the next page, click "Add $ (XXX amount)" to complete the transfer.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• You can use most credit cards on PayPal – here's how to add a card and link it with your account to make purchases

• How to transfer money from PayPal to your bank account for free, in 2 different ways

• How to change your PayPal password to keep your account secure, or reset the password if you've forgotten it

• How to set up and use Apple Pay on your iPhone to make contactless payments at thousands of stores

Steven John

Freelance Writer

Steven John is a freelance writer living near New York City by way of 12 years in Los Angeles, four in Boston, and the first 18 near DC. When not writing or spending time with his wife and kids, he can occasionally be found climbing mountains. His writing is spread across the web, and his books can be found at www.stevenjohnbooks.com.

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Sending money to friends and family no longer requires the use of an expensive wire transfer service like Western Union or MoneyGram. With PayPal, you can send money to anyone with an email address or a mobile phone number. The recipient doesn't even need a PayPal account to get started, and there are no fees for you if you pay with your PayPal account balance or bank account.

Sending Money With PayPal

1. To get started, log in to your PayPal account and enter the recipient's email address or mobile phone number. Select the amount of money and type of currency you want to send. If you use your PayPal account balance or linked bank account to make the payment there's no fee to use the service. Using a debit or credit card incurs a 2.9 percent fee plus 30 cents per transaction. Sending money internationally also incurs a small fee.

Accepting the Payment

1. The person you send the money to will receive a text message or email letting him know you sent a payment. To claim the money, he will have to create a PayPal account. The individual can withdraw the money by linking a bank account, signing up for a PayPal debit card or requesting a paper check. The money you send will be available in his PayPal balance immediately upon opening a new PayPal account.

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