>In a land of condesending posts... this one takes the cake!! <

Oh, I can go one better.

"Condescending" has two c's.

:)

((I))

The checking account with an ATM card is the best solution, as long as you get a free checking account, and a bank that doesn't impose additional charges on use of a "foreign" ATM.

The only downside is that you don't know how much the 100euro you just drew reduced the balance in your account. I haven't seen an ATM receipt that included this information. The solution is to find a bank that gives you internet access to your account; you can then put a true dollar figure in your checkbook once the transaction has posted.

I agree that children need to be taught how to handle money, but they also need experience. I would suggest you, as the acting parent, let him handle his money, as long as he is willing to discuss how he is handling it with you.

<<The only downside is that you don't know how much the 100euro you just drew reduced the balance in your account.>>

One possible solution... the boy's parents put a few extra hundred dollars into his account as "overdraft" protection ("overwithdrawal"?) - - and he simply need to know that he should not withdraw more than 800 euros (say... 200 euros, a maximum of four times).

And of course, lessons can be dispensed, as needed, on how to make wise purchases - - ideally, he will return with over half of the intial $1000 still in the bank - - to build towards the <i>next</i> trip!