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Just charge it!

Readers React to the Credit Dilemma

By Karen Barbier

Cash or charge? Most of us have been asked this question by the clerk at our favorite department store. For many teens the answer is always cash, because having a credit card is something only adults get to do. However, today many have found that having a credit card is the only way to survive. And some parents seem to agree.

We asked you opinion about credit cards for teens. Here are comments from some of our readers.

Anthony Aiello, 15
Sales Representative
Piscataway, NJ
YoungBiz: Do you think teenagers should have their own credit cards? No, I don’t think teens should have credit cards. They would max it out in no time. It would max it out in no time. It would only take about a week because teens have no control. When you have money, you spend it.
YoungBiz: If teens can’t pay the credit card bill, should parents pay it for them? No, I don’t think parents should pay the bill. If the bill is more than they have, they should have to work to get the payment. If they go in debt and get bad credit, it’s too bad. I think parents should let ‘em learn the hard way. If the parents pay, they’ll keep spending and rocking up bills.
Kristin Hrabar, 13
Inventor
Aberdeen, NJ
YoungBiz: Do you think teenagers should have their own credit cards? Yes, in a way I do think teenagers should have their own credit cards. if we get stuck somewhere like at school or a bowling alley and we run out of money, what are we going to do? If we can't drive and have no way of getting to our parents  or to our money at home, then we would need it. Also, if a teen can drive but something happens and they don't have cash on them, then they would need a credit card for a gas or other emergencies.
YoungBiz: If teens can’t pay the credit card bill, should parents pay it for them? Yes, I think parents should pay it and then the teen needs to work to pay the money back. Some teens aren't old enough to get jobs and some have lots of other bills. Or, if they are older and just moved to college, they need a helping hand.

 

 

Revised: March 01, 2005.
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