At The Checkout Counter Today

[Hollyhandi]

I was behind a mom and a little girl ( I'd say 6 years old ) and the lady was writting out a check for the groceries.
The little one pipes up. When can i get my first credit card? Mother answered
hopefully not til you 18 and have a job to pay it. I was thinking never if your smart.
So even 6 year olds are yearning to be indebt without knowing it.

[Nada.Leona]

lol I'm 25 and just got my first one -- and racked up a $700 bill already!!! lol They are dangerous and wicked little devils aren't they? Don't worry, I'll be able to pay it all back before it's due, but what a wake-up call. will help me pay it off, provided I don't do it again.

[dcompton]

Credit cards can be traps or they can be useful tools. What we need most of all for children is sound financial education before they get that almost inevitable first card.

[FrugalMomof3]

I think teaching children young will help them in the long run, my oldest DS I talk to him alot about CC's and he saw how bad in debt we were before, he says he doesnt want to be like that ever but we will see. Sometimes actions speak louder than words.

[nwmissourigal]

Wow at 6 years old and she knows what a credit card is. They learn quickly don't they. I have to agree with the answer of NEVER. They are a trap and when we were young it was a new found freedom that got most of us in trouble. Glad I am passed that...Blessings....Kathy

[Seraph]

I have to giggle. My daughter used to ask questions like that when she was younger. She's 10 now, and when the cashiers ask "Would you like to save 10% by opening a store card today?" my daughter responds for me and says (loudly enough for the people around us to hear) "Credit cards are evil!!"

[McD]

^ My brother and I were in Old Navy together and I had spent maybe 20$ on about 8 things for ds. Brother is 17. Cashier asks would you like to save 10% by opening an Old Navy credit card? I said no thank you. I understand she is required to ask, but when I decline, she needs to respect my decision and stop. Then, she keeps on with you can get coupons, you can do this, you can earn that. Finally, to shut her up, I say "To expand on my original answer of NO THANK YOU, I am morally opposed to credit cards and the outragous interest rates they have, particularly Old Navy which have well over 20%." It got the lady to stop hassling me and brother looked at me and says, "Do credit cards really charge that much" I said most do. His response: I DONT WANT ONE!


On a sidenote, I think most kids know about them these days....look at all the t.v. commericals, store promotions etc.

[baxjul]

My dd is six, and we only have one credit card, for emergencies only. She has never seen me use it. We pay cash for everything, and she saves every penny she gets.