Personal Finance | October 12, 2022 | Debbie Schwartz
Debbie Schwartz, former financial services executive, walks us through her tips for navigating financial lessons, including how to use credit cards, with children.
I’ve spent the majority of my professional career working in financial services because I love numbers, I love learning about people, and I love helping others understand topics that impact their daily lives. And that includes my own family and particularly my children.
From a very early age, I tried to incorporate financial lessons into our everyday outings. The supermarket provided a wealth of lessons: understanding unit prices, coupons, reward programs, brand name vs private label, and more.
As they got a little older in the pre-teen years, I started explaining credit cards and debit cards, and how they differ from cash. In the teen years, we talked about business news and the economics behind it.
Now I have a teenager, a college student and a working college grad, and we’re still talking finances, though the topics have evolved. Now, it’s about establishing their first bank account, and having and using a credit card in order to build financial responsibility.
Here are the credit card lessons everyone should know before they swipe their first piece of plastic.
At first glance, it looks like you’re getting access to free money. However, that’s not how credit works. Your kids need to understand that a credit card represents a loan. You’re not using your money — you’re using the credit card issuer’s money. You have a limit that you can borrow up to, set by the card issuer.
Teens and young adults need to understand that interest is an extra charge for borrowing money. You can borrow a portion of your available balance, and then repay it. If you don’t pay off your credit card balance when the bill is due, you’ll be charged interest. The bigger the balance you carry, the more you’ll pay in interest.
Consider using a credit card calculator to show your child how much interest could accrue from regularly carrying a balance. Show them that running up a big balance and being charged interest can keep them from meeting other financial goals that might matter to them.
When they understand that credit cards are loans, and not paying them off can cost them even more, they’re more likely to rein in their spending and make better choices.
Make sure your student understands that:
Credit card information is reported to the credit bureaus and impacts your credit score, while debit card information may not affect your credit score. You can build your credit history with smart and responsible credit card use.
One of the most important credit card lessons is that your card usage can impact your credit score. A credit score is a numerical way to summarize your ability to handle loans and other financial obligations.
Without a good credit score, you might end up paying much higher interest rates on car loans and mortgages — if you can even get those loans at all. In some states, your credit score might affect your car insurance premium, and there are some landlords that run credit checks before they’ll let you into an apartment.
A credit card can be one of the fastest ways to build up a good credit. If not used responsibly, though, it can sabotage your credit score. Credit card issuers report your activity to the credit bureaus each month, letting them know how much you owe and whether you pay on time. The biggest ways your credit card habits affect your credit score are related to:
Basically, anything you do with your credit card is reported on your credit report, and the information from your report is used in the formula that figures your credit score. Practice good credit habits, and you’ll see a better credit score.
I always tell my kids to be very careful with direct mail offers, for example. If you’re going to discard them, tear them up before putting them in the trash. People can get a hold of them and try to set up a credit card in your name.
If someone steals your identity and opens a loan or credit card using your information, that could have a big impact on your score — especially if they run up bills and then don’t pay. While you might eventually get the situation fixed, it can take a long time and can cause a big headache.
You’re better off being very careful with your information, choosing strong passwords and carefully shredding any mail offers you get for credit cards (after you’ve carefully considered the offer inside).
Teach your kids credit card lessons by letting them make small purchases and practice paying them off. If your child is a teenager, you can consider adding them to your own card as an authorized user. This will allow them to practice using a card while you keep an eye on them. Plus, your teenager will start building credit based on card usage.
Another option is to help your child open a secured credit card. They will have to provide cash as collateral, but a secured card, unlike a debit card, is reported to the credit bureaus and can help them build their credit.
Be sure that you monitor their usage at first. Encourage them to make small purchases and then pay them off quickly with money they earn from a job. It’s important to let your child know that it’s vital to only make purchases if they are in the budget and if they know they will have the money to pay off the card when the bill is due.
As you start slow and allow them to practice making smart and responsible decisions, they’ll be more likely to do the right thing when they have their own card.
Student credit cards can be a great way to start building credit as an 18-year-old. However, a student must meet certain requirements.
First of all, a student must be able to show adequate income to get their own card if they are under 21. So, your student needs some type of job while they attend school, even it’s a part-time job, if they want to get a credit card.
There are other ways to get student credit cards, however. Some strategies that can help include:
Many student credit cards are geared toward those who might not have a lot of credit experience. Plus, some cards come with extra perks.
Help your student understand the benefits of looking for a student credit card that fits them and their needs.
Finally, one of the great credit card lessons is to read the fine print. Credit cards come with a variety of interest rates, fees, and other information that you need to know. Before you move forward, make sure you understand the terms and conditions. Know what interest you’ll be charged for purchases vs. cash advances, and when you might end up with a minimum finance charge. Also, be aware of when the interest starts accruing on purchases.
These are issues that can trip you up later if you aren’t aware of them. Check the fine print, and make sure you choose a card that fits with your goals and your financial style. As long as you understand when interest will be charged and how to avoid it, you can make the credit card a tool that helps you build credit and meet other financial goals.