Part of being a teenager is adopting more responsibility as we mature. We are training to be adults, and as one, we have to manage money. Paper money can sometimes be unreliable, but credit cards can make us overspend. So, what is the right balance? Debit cards! Debit cards are similar to credit cards, except for the fact that you can transfer money to them, and like anything, they have their advantages and can be beneficial to teens. In contrast to credit cards, debit cards take the money out of the account as you spend it.

Some valuable lessons that debit cards teach are obviously responsibility and self-management. You can learn to save up for things you want, and be more careful with what you spend.

So, why should you get a debit card? Well, for one, they help avoid debt. Debit cards are made to spend whatever money is in your account or put in. If your parents only put in $20, then you can spend up to that amount. It will not continue to let you purchase anything if all the money’s gone. Therefore, you can practice avoiding debt at a young age, as well as learn how to manage your money. It’s also cheaper to maintain because debit cards don’t require additional fees to get money advanced, especially because credit cards can charge for things like late fees. Debit cards also tend to come with a checking account, which simplifies this process right from the start. Some even say that getting ahold of a debit card can also be a lot easier than registering for a credit card.

If there are so many good things about the debit cards, then why doesn’t everyone have them? Well, when there are pros, there are cons. People say that having a debit card can be a somewhat “unsafe” option. Unfortunately, card fraud is widespread, and for that reason, users of credit cards have fraud protection, unlike debit cards. Credit card companies also give out rewards when you reach a certain “level” on the plan. Some offers are free airline tickets, dining, and even hotel rewards. You are also able to build credit on credit cards, which can be useful for your financial future.

Senior Zoya Haq says, “I like debit cards because there’s only a certain amount of money I can spend and because of that I won’t get into debt.” She mentions how it taught her to not spend too much when going out. Freshmen Kristy Gomez says, ”I think debit cards can be a good opportunity to teach kids how to deal with/save their money when they’re out on their own.” Kristy continues to mention how kids usually depend on their parents buying them things and they end up developing bad habits when they’re older. She concludes with saying,” They’re bad at saving money for more important things like rent or food, but with debit cards, they can learn how to save their own money really early on.”

Now, you might be conflicted on which card is best for you. While credit cards are more useful when you’re older, debit cards are very fit for teenagers since they train us for the future. Talk to your parents about which might be the best for you, so you can start saving today!