southernbelle

Hi All,
My 15-yr-old son will be travelling to France next week with the Jr. Diplomat Program and we would like to know if anyone has a suggestion for a good way for him to handle the exchange - without carrying alot of cash. I am told credit cards are best but I don't want to give him mine. He will have some traveler's checks also but would like to have some Euros on hand for incidentals.

Also, anyone have a suggestion for a good phone card? We don't belong to a wholesale club and need to shop for one this week.
Thanks!

realtor

Open a checking account for him at the same bank you use. be sure you are also a signatory and that they have on-line banking. Deposit funds [limited]]in the account and get a 4 digit pin debit card.He uses the debit card for cash, you monitor the account on line from home and transfer money as he needs it.The account will never have a large amount at risk and you can check his spending. We have done this for my daughter for 2 study abroad programs and we do it ourselves when we travel. Works well but the trick is internet banking and monitoring, and transfering.
good luck!
.b

Christina

There are some special credit cards and ATM cards that are prepaid amounts that you can give to someone who doesn't have their own account. I know AAA sells the prepaid ATM cards (a VISA product, as I understand it). I imagine they or VISA can be contacted if you want a prepaid credit card. I don't think that's exactly necessary if he has some other form of funds.

suze

Anything he can use in an ATM machine (whether from a new checking account in his name, a prepaid type card, or possibly attached to your account), with a 4-digit pin number.

Some U.S. cash tucked away.

Travelers checks (let him know he may need to go into a bank to change them, rather than a restaurant or shop as they may not always be accepted).

bob_brown

It seems to me that 15 is not too young to have some financial responsibility placed squarely on the young man's shoulders. If he is mature enough to be allowed to travel out of your care, it seems to me that he is old enough to take some responsibility. If he is not, then you should consider whether you are making a wise decision to let him go in the first place.

Time may be too short to set up an account and obtain an ATM card. If it is, then you may have to let him have access to your account. Credit cards are a little better to use than converting cash at banks, but he can certainly go the cash route if there is insufficient time.
Does he not carry money on his person at home?

southernbelle

Thank you for your suggestions, especially .b! We already do online banking so we like the idea. I was more concerned with "convenience" than "responsibility" for my 15 yr. old as he is quite mature and I would trust him unconditionally.

We have decided a combination will be best: some Euros, some U.S. cash, a debit card and a credit card. This way he won't be caught empty-handed if an ATM machine is down, one card doesn't work, or something unforseen happens while en route.

Yes, he does carry money - he earns a wonderful salary umpiring baseball - but this is his first trip abroad and we want to reduce the possibility of complications...which as you know, even for us adults, ALWAYS occur!!! It's part of the whole travel experience as we've told him...

ira

Hi SB,

May I suggest that you give him some traveler's checks in US dollars instead of US cash? If it is intended for emergency use, the checks can be deposited to your bank account when he comes home. If stolen, you won't lose the money.