Four Ways To Help Your Teenage Children Use Their Credit Cards Properly
Now, more than ever, the burden is on parents who need to make sure that their children can make wise financial habits and decisions. If you are a parent who is trying to know how to help your children use credit card responsibly, these are four easy options:
1. Become a co-signer.
Your child gets the card but you’re designated as the co-signer. If your child fails to pay off the balance, you’ll be responsible for it. One benefit of this option is, if your children pay off on time, your credit score will also improve. But no matter how financially disciplined you are, if your child makes a late payment, your credit record will suffer. Your responsibility will not end until the entire balance is paid off.
2. Make your children as authorized users on your card.
This might be a good way to show your children about credit without giving them a full responsibility. Generally, you add your children as authorized users on your account. They receive a card with their name on it. But you’re responsible if the balance isn’t paid off. Both of your credit records will benefit if your children pay off the balance on time.
You can always request to add another child as an authorized user, without allowing him or her to receive a physical credit card. This way, you will help them build a credit history without enabling them to fall into debt. If necessary, you can quickly remove an authorized user from your account through a phone, email or letter.
3. Have your children open checking accounts with their debit cards.
This way, your children are only spending money they currently have. Debit cards may have an annual fee, but your children won’t get into a crushing debt. It won’t affect anyone’s credit score – however on the flip side, it will not help your children to build a good credit record, either.
4. Use a prepaid card.
Although its fees can be higher, prepaid card is an easy way to guide your child about using their cards properly. Most of these cards, however, won’t report payment activities to any credit bureau, so just like using a debit card; your children won’t be building a credit record.
With any of those options, talk with your children to help them compare all the possibilities. Young adults shouldn’t make an important financial decision alone. In the meantime, you might want to consider purchasing ppi for rainy days. However, do ensure that you only purchase what you need or you might end up having for file for ppi claims.