What should I teach my child about credit cards?
Rachel Davis
Updated on February 19, 2026
5 Things Kids Should Learn Before Getting a Credit Card
- LEARN TO BUDGET. Before children (or anyone for that matter) can use a credit card responsibly, it’s important to learn how to keep track of cash and manage a budget.
- OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT.
- START WITH A DEBIT CARD.
- COVER THE RISKS.
- SET LIMITS ON CREDIT CARD USE.
How can young people use credit responsibly?
Give your teen a credit card linked to your own credit card. This lets you monitor their card activity and help them learn to use credit responsibly—before they do it on their own. Limit how much your kids can charge. Whether they’re authorized users on your card or have their own, start with a low limit.
How do you teach someone about credit?
When teaching your children about credit limits, simply explain that there is a certain amount that the bank or lender is willing to let a user borrow. The more responsible a customer is with their credit card and payments, the more credit the lender will be willing to offer in the future.
What age is best to get a credit card?
And a good place to start is by opening a credit card at 18, so you can start building credit at an early age and developing good money habits. Below, we review why it’s important to get a credit card at 18 and what you can do to protect your credit score as a new cardholder.
Which credit card is best for children?
Best Credit Cards for Teens
- Overall: Capital One Platinum Credit Card.
- College Students: Journey Student Rewards from Capital One.
- Travel Rewards: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students.
- Secured: Discover it® Secured Credit Card.
- No Credit Check: OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card.
What is the best way to establish credit for a young person?
What’s the Best Way for a Young Person to Build Credit?
- Become an authorized user on a parent’s credit card.
- Open a student or secured credit card.
- Pay your student loans on time.
- Take out a credit-builder loan.
- Add utility and telecom bills to your Experian credit report.
Why is it important to establish credit when you are young?
Why Establishing Credit Young Is Important Your credit history may be considered by potential employers when you are looking for your first job. It may play a part in approving your apartment application. And, it will be critical for buying your first car so you can get to work every day.
How to teach your child to use credit cards?
Educating your children on credit cards can give them a lifetime of benefits. Here’s how to do it right. Learning to use credit is a fundamental part of growing up. Parents can teach responsible use of credit cards and other financial products, such as bank accounts, to kids by talking to them at an early age – as early as preschool – about money.
Why is it important for young people to get a credit card?
“Having a credit card allows kids to build up their credit history and score. This will be immensely helpful when they apply for their own credit cards, student loans, mortgages, and even jobs and apartments,” says Sekar. “There are a number of student credit cards, almost all of which have no annual fee,” she adds.
Should teens and college students have credit cards?
Should Teens and College Students Have Credit Cards? Should Teens and College Students Have Credit Cards? Jeremy Vohwinkle is a former financial advisor and retirement planning specialist who started a financial blog for Generation Xers.
Which is the best finance book for teenagers?
“I Will Teach You to Be Rich” by Ramit Sethi is a great book for older teenagers who want to begin adulthood on the right financial foot. Sethi’s writing style and straight-talking stance on financial responsibility will resonate with young readers.