Hi Parents:

Welcome to this episode of Parent-52, a weekly parent power move designed to help you help your teen burst into the adult world as prepared as they can be!  

Today's topic:  Money Management

• What 3 things MUST they know
• What you must ask your teen to do if using a debit card
• What's a "purchase pickle" they mind find themselves in?
• When should they USE and NOT use their card?

Bonus Parent Point:

• Learn how by doing this one thing you can capture your teen's attention on the topic of money management.  

Show Links Mentioned:

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Inquiring minds want to know.  Right?

How do these bureaus get our purchasing history?  If you were to write down every single thing we buy, borrow, lease, etc. on pages, you'd call it a financial diary.  So who is writing those pages?  Of course, we are, but someone else is writing all of this down, too - credit bureaus and entries to our credit report.

How do "they" compile our financial diary?

Almost every time you buy something, or create any kind of financial transaction, it is likely being reported to one, two, or all three credit bureau agencies:  Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.  In other words, from retailers to landlords, this information is sent to them for free.  

These credit bureaus compile this information and create credit scores on us using an algorithm.  Generally, the methodology used to create the number score is "Fico".  That's why you hear the phrase:  "I have high Fico Scores" or "my fico scores...

Hello.  

I'll never forget the night my husband after reviewing our college-aged daughter's credit card that she had "purchased" a 32" flat screen tv.  

WHAT?  We had her on a tight spending, she kept herself on a spending plan, and had never given us an ounce of worry in this regard.  But a FLAT SCREEN TV?  

Well, of course it turned out to be that her credit card # had been "skimmed".  In other words, someone had digitally lifted her credit card information while they had her credit card to check out with at a restaurant.  

True confession, however.  We had trained her to review her credit charges and look for irregularities.  Who discovered the error?  Her dad.  

Take heart.  No matter how many plans you put in motion, bad things can happen to good people.  

How do you know if your child's credit report/scores and more are in jeopardy?

Of course, review the charges.   Captain Obvious, right?  

What if...

 SUMMARY 

• if you have added them as an "authorized user" on your own credit card, they might have a report in their name.  Some issuing companies report financial information for both the primary holder AND any authorized users.  You'll need to check with them.
• or their identity may have been stolen resulting...

 SUMMARY

Money and "stuff" are the granddaddy of all motivators.  Calling Santa . . . !

Thrill of Victory (the purchase) AND Agony of Defeat (the debt)

Movies, books, gas, electronics.  Where's that big guy in the red suit?  Well, he's not around, but those wishes for "stuff" ARE. Even if you aren't a believer in credit cards, and you prefer debit cards or cash, nearly everyone has a credit card or so it seems to your child.  They are soaking up illustration by illustration of credit cards in real time.  It's like an action movie but instead of Tom Cruise being the hero, it's a credit card.  

At JG we want things made easy.  Last lessons are sometimes difficult to teach but today you can learn how to teach DEBT in a dramatic and easy fashion.  Just an fyi, we are not against credit cards.  We ARE against credit card debt and credit card abuse.  More on that another day.

Please watch the 4 minute video if you can.  We...

SUMMARY

How do you know if your child is ready for a debit or credit card (plastic money)?

Money.  Parents.  Kids.  Tension.  Maturity.  Focus.  Responsibility.  Nightmare.

You pick which words to assign to a parent and which to assign to a young adult.  You'll probably select "all of the above" for both.  Much has been written about establishing credit, debit cards, credit cards, and more. 

Even reviewing the contract involved in any financial card of any kind is like someone handing you a Webster’s Dictionary and saying “you are responsible for all of it”. 

Today, having a 'plastic' debit/credit card is a status symbol.  Remember seeing photos of James Dean in his cowboy hat leaning on that car....with that cigarette?  Yes, the status symbols may have changed, but the concept fit even us, our parents, and grandparents.  

Statistic:  Reports say over 50% of college freshman have a...

YOUR FIRST MOVE . . 

Sadly, life isn't like monopoly where the person that gets Boardwalk and Park Place usually win.  The bigger truth today is that we often don't realize the importance of having checked our credit reports at the most crucial times needed.  We are inundated today with "check it once a year".  That's true, of course, but what is even more pressing is when we encounter these major milestones in our lives and don't check our credit reports first.  

I won't beat around the bush.  This applies to all of us.  It especially applies to our young adults.  So whether you are the young adult or the parent, avoid heartache and CHECK YOUR CREDIT REPORT.  

WHY check your credit report?

• potential employers can look at your credit report (not the score, but the report)
• home buyers will have their credit checked
• car buyers can have their credit checked
• student loan institutions will also check your credit history  
• any time you...