I don't think my kids ever had credit cards in college or if they did it was completely on them. They didn't get an allowance either. They had jobs and survived. I should ask them!

I strongly encourage that they apply for one themselves, unconnected to you.
All of mine did on their 18th birthday and were approved.

None

Also in rural and suburban areas if you don't have access to a car and public transport isn't available or reliable, unless parents take time off from their work to drive kids to and from their job, they can't go to work.

Anonymous wrote:Your kid has never had a job?

Well, kids who attend schools with really rigorous standards and take a heavy advance course load, don't have time to add odd jobs on top of extracurriculars. Many earn more in merit scholarships than they could've on minimum hourly wage. Everyone's circumstances and goals are different.

I added all of my kids as authorized users once they learned to drive. They continued to use the card in college. It worked out really well and started them off with good credit scores. We set parameters and they proved very trustworthy. Their first independent credit cards were through Capital One once they had income.

Your kid has never had a job?

Anonymous wrote:Authorized user would have been appropriate for a minor in high school. I recommend they get a secured credit card to start building credit in their own name. Basically you make a deposit and that becomes your monthly limit. Then they can start building their OWN credit by paying it off in full each month.

Beingcan authorized user on your card will build their credit but they start off with your credit score which ( assuming it's good) can help them immensely. Myb18 year olds oldest credit card was 30 years old according to his credit score. After some time he can get his own card with much better rates/ terms.

Just add them to one of your card as an authorized user and tell them to get every big charge pre approved from you. Also set up notifications so you get text for every transaction above a set amount.

This is also a great way to stay aware of their safety if you don't want to track their phone and they are lazy about keeping you informed.

Discover and or Student Cap One.

Discover and that student Capital One (orange). Don't bother with authorized user that late.

My son chose Discover and it worked out well for him

Authorized user would have been appropriate for a minor in high school. I recommend they get a secured credit card to start building credit in their own name. Basically you make a deposit and that becomes your monthly limit. Then they can start building their OWN credit by paying it off in full each month.

Make them an authorized user on yours. They will then inherit your credit rating. Establish rules for use.

No job and.no credit history. Headed off to college.