Learning to balance a checkbook and budget money are skills that you will need throughout your life.  Using a debit card and managing your own money is the best way to learn this skill. Ask a parent or teacher to explain how a debit card works and how to balance a checkbook.

Managing money spent on a debit card takes a great deal of responsibility. Make sure that you are aware of the consequences of mismanaging a checking account including fees and ChexSystems reports that could impair your chances of having an account in the future. Discuss these repercussions with your parent prior to opening your account, or ask a branch representative to go over these with you.

Do you have a debit card; if so, how has it helped you with managing money? If not, when do you think you will get one?

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