credit/bank card for teen?

[Southernmiss]

By 17, my kids needed debit cards to buy gas. They opened checking accounts at the credit union where their savings accounts are.

I would consider going ahead and getting her her own account.

They'll need it anyway for college years.

 

[Hikergirl]

I'd open her a checking or a savings account (with debit) card.
She will not be able to do it on her own, she will need an adult.

 

[BLAZEY]

Our boys had their own Account with a Debit card at the same bank we use. However, we kept the bulk of their money in a savings account that was not attached to the debit card. We would transfer funds into their account as needed. This also protected them if anybody were to steal the card and try to use it as there wasn't much money in it. Our bank made it very easy. This started off for my oldest son's 1st trip with his band, but we continued with it until both boys had completed first year of college, then we let them decide.

This is what we just did with DD10. I have joint account with her that has the bulk of her savings and we just opened another account that is solely hers with her debit card attached (I do have access via online banking) I want her to learn how to use a debit card, without accessing all of her money (years of birthday and Christmas money she's saving for a car). Her new account has the money she's saved from her allowance and selling old toys. allowing her to make mistakes and learn when there's only $50-100 on the line rather than $100's or $1000's. it easy to spend on a card when you don't see the actual cash outlay.

 

[jaybirdsmommy]

Echoing the debit card suggestions. As long as she has a state-issued ID (learner's permit worked for DS), she can get a bank acct and a debit card. Keep the bulk of her money for the trip in the acct and she can access ATMs as needed for cash. If you are worried about the responsibility, put your name on the account along with hers so you can monitor the activity. It's also pretty easy to add money to the account as needed if your name is on it.

 

[wenrob]

Echoing the debit card suggestions. As long as she has a state-issued ID (learner's permit worked for DS), she can get a bank acct and a debit card. Keep the bulk of her money for the trip in the acct and she can access ATMs as needed for cash. If you are worried about the responsibility, put your name on the account along with hers so you can monitor the activity. It's also pretty easy to add money to the account as needed if your name is on it.

My kids didn’t need ID for their checking accounts.

 

[RangerPooh]

Both my daughters have debit cards through GreenLight. DH and I add money to their cards, can be notified of their spending, and the girls can manage their own spending through the app. They've used it both internationally and domestically with out any issues. It's actually been a great learning took for them. We had one charge to dispute and it was resolved quickly.

 

[siren0119]

The Greenlight card is a debit card specifically for kids!

https://www.greenlightcard.com/

 

[jaybirdsmommy]

My kids didn’t need ID for their checking accounts.

May be different for other banks, but ours required state issued photo id.