Credit Cards And Teens
A look into teenage credit card statistics reveals much about teenage spending habits. The US based statistics show that people in their teenage years have significant credit card balances. They should not have large balances, because they have limited credit card needs. It only takes a short time for one to realize that their spending habits are becoming uncontrollable.
Even though teen credit card debt statistics give us stats on how teens are holding up in the credit world, it is not always necessary to only discuss these unsettling teen credit card statistics. The real key is to find ways to improve these statistics and to find positive, long term solutions to this growing problem.
How Should We Achieve The Lowering Of Teen Credit Card Debt?
First, we must better educate children and teenagers about the consequences of debt. There is no age that is too young to instill fiscal responsibility in children. Initially it can be as simple as making sure children understand the benefit of the dollar and hard work through their allowances, and through practicing responsible fiscal behavior as a model. Children must learn how to manage their overall finances.
How do we teach children the value of money to help with teen credit card debt statistics? Financial management courses should be included in the regular education of our students. A good idea, to help children get a handle on their spending, is to have them maintain a regular record of what they spend, then tally it each month. They should learn to balance their spending, and to balance a check book. It might be a good idea to give children a checking account instead of a credit card, as this will require them to learn good financial habits.
When you open a bank account for children, you can show them directly how to manage their accounts. They should learn to watch their accounts, and learn the value of gaining interest and the cost of borrowing on credit. When they use their debit cards, remind them to add that value to their balanced checking account and periodically check to make sure they keep the account updated. You could reward them with extra money when they make gains on their balances.
Once your teens prove they are at ease working at handling the bank transactions thru debit cards, the parent could consider getting their teen a pre-paid credit card. This type of card limits the amount of debt that they can accrue within a specific time. For example, the card could have a limit of $300, or an amount that the parent knows the teenager needs during a particular period of time. With the limit credit cards, you can teach the teens how to use their credit cards appropriately without undo worry.
Finally, parents should realize that ensuring that teens learn the best financial practices is a continuous systematic process. If a process is followed, we can reduce and start eliminating the bad credit statistics that have surfaced in teen credit related reports. Teenagers should always be encouraged to learn more about responsible money management. It is only by proper planning and education that they can refrain from acquiring bad credit ratings and credit scores.
|
|