what do you think?

I am working for a company that promotes prepaid Visa card for teens as educational tool. First i was very exited to work with this project, but soon i found my self hitting the wall. As a parent i think it's a great tool for teens and parents, but may be i am missing something here. I would love to know other parents opinion on this. What do you honestly think?

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it's a good point, especially with credit cards being a big part of our everyday life. kids can track there spending, with a help of on line banking, which again is a learning tool. And you are right, they will think twice before spending it all, if the need to refill the card with their own $$. Thank you for your opinion.

Teens definately NEED to get prepared for the real world.
It is a great idea to teach how to maybe "think" about how they are spending. Lets say for example you put $50 on the card. Some teens would spend it in a day. How many do you think would really think "ahead" and stretch it out so to speak? Some but not many so it may help to teach them self control. Especially if the need to refill the card with their own $$.

thank you, it's very encouraging! it makes me feel that i am on the right track after all. I appreciate your opinion. i am also showing schools, the way this card can be used as Fundraiser opportunity. i think it's good, when a Fund-raise offers educational/money management tool and at the same time helps student and school together.

I think it is a great idea. It can help them to be responsible, learn about money, and help them prepare for the real world. Promote the prepaid Visa card for teens as an educational tool. They have it to use for an emergency, books, school, random purchase at the mall, or a gift for you. Also, they probably feel cool or proud to even have one. That can promote self esteem and let them know that you trust them enough to even have one.

I just came across a similar type of Visa/Mastercard for the first time, in a local store. There was a "special promotion" whereby the initial $9.95 cost to buy/load/activate the card would be "rebated." It could be "reloaded" with more money for an additional $4.95 fee each time. I had no plans to "reload it" but thought it would be a great idea as a birthday gift for my nephew at college, until I read the "fine print."
Apparently, this particular card has a $4.95/month usage fee, AND if you don't use the card for 90 days after the card is purchased, there's a $4.95/month fee that's deducted regardless.
My nephew's birthday isn't until spring... By the time I sent him the card, the value of the card would already be reduced, and that's before the actual usage fee. Forget it ~ I'll send him a check!

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