One thing worth remembering Jill, is that as a buyer Paypal do much more than simply ensure payment.

If you pay and don't receive the goods, they reimburse you and chase the seller for the money.

As I said, you don't need to link. Just ask your bank for a debit card. It only permits you to access what money is actually in your account, so there's neither interest to pay, nor the chance of getting into debt. Importantly, it doesn't attract charges or interest when you draw cash from an ATM (at least in your own country).

Don T.