Credit card deals - have you already discussed THIS with your child?
Many parents allow their offsprings to handle credit cards as authorized users. While legally for taking credit card deals, teens are still to be 18, actually, the age threshold has lowered to 13-14 years old. Youngsters carry credit and debit cards, and some of them even have checking accounts. Should the children be educated about financial matters?
Certainly they should. As teens get their parents' credence, they try to follow the rules and around 80 percent of them pay their bills on time (most pay off in full). However, there are about 20 percent of those who fail to carry out credit obligations.
Credit card companies make profit out of minors' boom in credit industry. Youngsters under age have come to be a potential buying force. Children are allowed to work part- or full-time. So they can spend more money, including purchases in the Internet - no less than 30 million of teenagers having cards is the real figure. The attitude of parents towards credit card companies' actions is ambivalent. For instance, a recent MasterCard's introduction of a new payment card for children was met with a mixed reaction.
Involuntary, children have become the target audience for credit companies. Most credit card deals in the Net require a person to be 18 years old, but nothing will stop a prankish one from submitting a credit card application. Credit card is pregnant with consequences in this case.
The parents are to be responsible and... blamed. Credit education and good financial upbringing are as essential in the US as sex education - and must start in one's childhood. Otherwise, teens using credit card will remain the hot issue. It's normal that a parent co-signs for a credit card deal or authorizes a child for using the plastic if the one is under age. Before that, initiate your infant into the mysteries of responsible credit card managing.
The middle teens are the awkward age, and God only knows what odd thing an immature person can "deliver". This situation must involve parents. Their participation here is utmost important, especially, in terms of keeping an eye on teen's expenses.
Financial experts give a few suggestions on how to behave:
• If you are going to share your credit card with your child, sit and discuss general topics. Cover credit score and its future influence, low interest rate and introductory rate, credit card statements, calculating the interest and managing finances on the whole. Point out the importance of timely payments and spending habits before they enter a college and make balls of credit card.
• Start from using a checking or a savings account. Debit or pre-paid cards can substitute for credit cards at the beginning. Such cards can have plugged-in limitations that prevent extra charges, fees, or purchasing illegitimate items, what also permits parents to examine transactions. Working teens can also have a checking account and a debit card, what trains them for using credit cards. Thus you teach the child to be careful with money and to bear the liability.
• If a bank account with an ATM card are not enough, and your teen needs larger sums, you can take one of solicitations. You can scan their monthly statements.
• If your child is a secondary user, set down rules for his/her financial behavior. For example, to use credit cards with prior agreement (get informed in advance they are going to shop and set financial limits for the purchase), or ask them to give away all receipts.
• Co-sign for a low limit credit card. If you are not sure to add your teen to your credit card, then try a real credit card for the child. When your 15-year-old has got a card by mail (the honor fell on him - he is like a grownup!), you may also monitor the further expenses. The credit limit is generally 250 to 300 dollars. The extra benefit of a separate card is teaching your child responsibility and avoiding troubles. There won't be any inconveniences related with losing the card or credit card theft and unauthorized charges on the high limit account.
