Being a parent requires always keeping an eye on your kid to ensure their well-being and protection. And since our credit scores have a significant impact on our financial prospects, many parents in today's society are seeking ways to assist in developing their children's credit histories. When should you begin assisting your kid in building credit, and how young is too young to start building credit? The answer may shock you.
You Can Start Building Your Child's Credit Today
Making your kid an authorized user on your credit card gives you the freedom to start your child's credit history building whenever you are ready. When applying for a credit card or loan, the two most common methods for individuals to get their feet wet in the world of credit, you typically need to be at least 18 years old and have some income. However, authorized users operate in a somewhat different manner. Since authorized users are not held financially liable for any of the charges made on the card, issuers often do not impose an age requirement on them.
Your kid will benefit from your strong credit history if you give them authorized user status. Even while it won't have the same impact on your credit score as being the main user on an account, it's still a good place to start. You don't even have to give your kid a card until you feel like they are ready for the duty; merely being the authorized user on paper is enough to accomplish the task. However, until you feel like your child is ready for the responsibility, you should wait to give your child a card.
There are other ways you lend a hand to your kid as they transition into being a financially responsible adult, which will be more effective than approved users. For instance, if you are in a position to do so and your kid is applying for their first credit card, you may co-sign for them. When your kid reaches the age of 18 and is enrolled in college on a full-time basis, this may be required of you. This requirement may be waived if your kid contributes completely to the workforce. You might also co-sign a loan for your kid, such as a school or vehicle loan.
If your kid is the principal borrower on a loan or credit card, you may help your child's credit score more by co-signing the loan or credit card. However, this comes with some hazards. If your kid does not pay, you will be accountable for doing so; therefore, before going further, make sure that you are okay with the chance that this may occur. If you have had problems with credit in the past or if your own experience with credit is limited, your adult kid may develop credit using alternative means, such as:
- Secured credit cards
- Alternative credit cards
- Credit-builder loans
Starting With Education Is the Best
Evidence indicates that teaching children about money will pay off in the form of improved credit ratings in the future. This holds regardless of the method through which you decide to assist your child in beginning the process of building credit or even whether you decide to do so at all. It is in your best interest to refresh your knowledge of the components that determine credit scores to educate your kid on how to establish and maintain healthy credit practices.
There are a lot of different places to start when it comes to teaching your children. Still, most experts think it is beneficial to explain the fundamentals of earning, saving, and spending money to your children before they reach their teenage years. It is a good idea to start discussing the notion of credit with preteens since they will likely comprehend the concept of borrowing money and paying it back by that age. In addition, make sure your kid is aware of how to use a credit card responsibly before you hand one over to them.
Signs Your Child Is Credit-Ready
When selecting whether or not to assist your kid in obtaining a credit card, listen to your instincts and base your decision on your youngster's strengths and limits. For some families, this moment arrives when the child first gets their driver's license or when they start making their own way to and from school. Most parents want their offspring to be able to pay for unexpected expenses independently. For other people, this realization only occurs much later, perhaps not until college, when it may make sense to co-sign for a credit product. You should also consider teaching your children the importance of having a rainy-day fund, as this will help them avoid falling into the trap of piling up debt when unforeseen costs arise.
