Parents have to face the arduous task of seeing their beloved children leaving to make their own way in adulthood. You have raised your children and prepared them as well as you knew how and now it is time to let them experience the joys and sorrows of college. Even though they are old enough to build their own credit card credit rating, they still may need some extra help. A student loan only goes so far and you do not want to worry about them racking up a huge student credit card debt. The solution is prepaid credit cards.

Unsecured credit cards are those issued by a lender that do not require a deposit. The credit limit is based on their ability to repay the debt, as well as what their credit score shows. Prepaid credit cards are cards that can be used anywhere that a debit or credit card is used. They have a set limit based on the money loaded and the student cannot spend over that limit.

So why use a prepaid credit card instead of bank credit cards? The first reason is that a bank credit card can exceed the balance in the checking account if it is linked to the account. This can cause over limit fees to rapidly accumulate. A bank credit card, if it is not tied to the checking account, is reliant upon credit scores. If your child has not established a credit rating, then he or she can be turned down. Each time a lender runs a credit card application, the credit score can be harmed and lowered. This perpetuates the cycle of applying and then the subsequent denial, based on the credit scores.

The benefits to using prepaid credit cards are many. You do not have to worry about monthly payments. You decide how much they can spend in a month and it teaches the student the benefits to using and spending money wisely. It may not help them build their credit score, but it can certainly protect them from going into debt. You are helping your child learn fiscal responsibility without worrying about receiving calls from bill collectors.

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Anyone who has ever been to a retail or department store knows how easy it is to apply for a credit card. Sales people offer the 10% off the purchase price to lure customers into applying. Credit card companies want you to save your cash and use their MasterCard or Visa credit cards. It is a buy now and pay later world. For those who have recently turned eighteen, this can seem like a tremendous power, especially if cash is tight due to school.

Instant approval credit cards may be a godsend when you find yourself in desperate need of school supplies or in need of the basic essentials. However, far too often the ability to easily apply and get one can lead to massive financial problems. Student credit card debt is out of control. Students are inundated with bank credit cards, MasterCard or Visa credit card offers and many do not consider the ramifications of how easy it is to abuse their use.

No one doubts that college is expensive. Tuition, room, board and associated fees can wipe out savings very quickly. You, as a student, may have such an immense class schedule that makes working part time impossible. This is especially difficult if you are involved in school activities, such as sports or academic organizations. Most parents cannot afford to pay for all the extra expenses a student incurs, not to mention if there are off campus expenses and luxuries wanted.

The key to understanding how to use a college student credit card, is one based on “need” only. Most students must have some form of money in case of an emergency and it comes down to the student knowing the difference between an emergency and a simple want. Apply for a credit card and when you receive it, put it aside in case of real emergencies. Do not go around applying for every credit card offer you receive. Pay attention to the interest rates and any associated fees that the lending company requests.

Do not apply for a credit card every time you walk into a store. Don’t fill out an online credit card application every time you are surfing the net. While you want to have a good credit rating, each credit card you apply for goes against your credit score and can begin lowering it dramatically. There is a delicate balance between improving your rating and seriously hurting your credit score. Be smart, build credit ratings, use your credit wisely and you will learn how to be financially responsible.

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