A money order is a prepaid payment certificate you can purchase for a specific amount, typically up to $1,000. You pay the face value plus a small fee (usually $1-$5), and the money order can then be used like a check.

Money orders offer a secure way to pay when you don't have a checking account or when the recipient won't accept personal checks. You can buy them at banks, post offices, grocery stores, and convenience stores. They're safer to mail than cash because only the person named on the money order can cash it, and you get a receipt for your records. People often use money orders for rent payments, sending money to family members, or paying bills when electronic options aren't available. Just remember to fill them out completely and keep your receipt - if a money order is lost or stolen, you'll need that receipt to get a replacement.