Reasons a teenager SHOULD be an authorized user on parent's credit card? Help please

Question

I am 15 and just getting a job. I have over 400 dollars saved of my own, too. I was thinking about getting a debit card so I could directly deposit my checks. I still think it's a good idea..BUT I came across something about being an authorized user! Where you can lock the card at times and limit spending. My dad is always giving money to me, for food, back to school shopping, etc and I think it would be so much more convenient for me to use a credit card for things he would normally give me money for.

NOT other things. If so, I would pay him back.

I'm pretty responsible, money wise.

I was thinking of proving it to him by doing well at my job.

Can you think of any persuasive reasons to make into possibly a powerpoint to show him I can handle it?

I don't want to always be taking his cash.

Thanks!

And please don't go on about how I don't need one. I know I don't. I just think it would be a good opportunity.

Thanks again.

Answer 1

There are no reasons.

Answer 2

no offense but no teenager should have that privilege. they are way to immature. please dont take this offensively

Answer 3

I don't know of ANY reason why a child should be added as an authorized user on a parent's credit card.  Use your own money to buy your clothes and dinner out with friends.

Answer 4

Umm..none, sorry.

Answer 5

If your account is at the same bank as your father's he can probably either call or do a transfer online to put money from his account into yours.  Honestly, if it were me, you couldn't come up with a good reason to be an authorized user on my account.  I believe you're responsible, but things happen and can just spiral down from there.  For my kids, I would either give the money I planned on giving them or would transfer it into their bank account so they had the access to it.  

As a side note, you don't need a debit card to direct deposit your checks.  There's a form you fill out for that.  The debit card is used like a credit card, except that the money comes straight from your checking account (it's not used for deposits).  

Answer 6

Well, a couple of things go into this.

First of all, does your Dad keep a balance on his credit card?  If he does you probably should be added to his account because it would cause more interest when you could be paying cash.

If he pays his credit card in full every month then there are some reasons that it might be OK to add you.

First, it's easy to see what your spending the money on.  For example making sure your buying school supplies instead of make-up.  

There's less liability if the card gets lost.  If you lose $200 in cash, it's gone.  If you lose the credit card the government protects your Dad from fraud.

It allows for spontaneity.  "Hey Dad, remember when you said I could get 'blank'?  I found it on sale.  Can I use the credit card?"

If your Dad is open to the idea, you can even let him know that most credit card companies can take some of the credit off his account and add it to a second account that you can be an AU on.  That way you only have access to $500 instead of $10,000.

Good luck, and you do sound responsible!  Keep that up!

Answer 7

Just use your own debit card because it will help you out more.

Also Credit Cards have interest rates and thats bad.

Answer 8

I know where you're coming from.  But the thing is, your statement that it would be more convenient for you to use the card than cash is faulty.  Handing over cash is actually faster than swiping a card, putting in the pin, or signing the receipt.  I want to help but you haven't made your reasons for wanting access to the card clear.  It would be a good opportunity for what?

Answer 9

You should keep your finances in your own name, using your own bank account and debit card.  It will help your credit rating more than if you went under your father's name it.  He can authorize you as a user, but it won't do anything for your credit, because the account is still his.  

So it's actually not a good opportunity.  

As the others have said it's also faster to use cash than a credit card.  With credit you have to swipe, wait for confirmation, sign the receipt, make sure the money is in the bank and then forward payment.  With cash, you're in and out in no time.  Using cash also makes you realize every penny you're spending.  It's easy to over-spend when you a credit card, you go in for $10 worth of stuff but know you have the card to back you up if you go over...so you do go over.  

Credit cards are evil, lol.