![Mother and pre-teen son sit together on bed working on laptop and tablet](https://www.bankrate.com/2018/09/02170821/How-to-help-your-kids-build-credit.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&width=230&height=150)
How to help your kids build credit
Parents have many options, from debit cards and prepaid cards to secured credit cards and making their child an authorized user. Which is best?
The first step to finding the right credit card is understanding your spending habits and credit history. Once you know that, you can find a card that works for your situation and helps you reach your financial goals.
— Liza Carrasquillo
About the author
Liza Carrasquillo is an editor on the Bankrate credit cards team who focuses on providing accurate educational content to those at all stages of their credit card journey.
After graduating from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Liza quickly dove into the world of journalism, where she wrote a variety of lifestyle articles, including home design, art, small business and travel articles, for those on a budget. She also worked for various clients in the personal finance realm, from certified public accountants to mortgage brokers and local banks, before moving back into journalism as an editor at NerdWallet. Liza brings her perspective and expertise from these positions to every article at Bankrate that she touches.
When not writing or editing, Liza can be found hanging out at the local dog bar with her rambunctious corgi or building custom terrariums for her reptiles at home.
Liza wants you to know
Growing up, finances were a difficult topic in my family. My parents drilled into me the dangers of credit cards — to the point where I was scared to use one until I was already an adult. But as I slowly learned more about them — about how they could help me build credit, earn rewards and handle an emergency — I realized that my fear was misplaced. I know how hard it can be to develop new financial habits, even if they’re good ones, which is why I’m passionate about helping others learn what the right credit cards can do for them.
Liza's recommended readings
How to build credit as a college student
What is a secured credit card and how does it work?
5 credit card strategies to help tame money-related stress
The first step to finding the right credit card is understanding your spending habits and credit history. Once you know that, you can find a card that works for your situation and helps you reach your financial goals.
— Liza Carrasquillo
Parents have many options, from debit cards and prepaid cards to secured credit cards and making their child an authorized user. Which is best?
What you need to know about your card’s purchase APR, or interest rate
Credit bureaus no longer require PINs to unfreeze credit reports.
Credit bureaus no longer require PINs to unfreeze credit reports.
Credit counseling can help solve financial issues including debt and bad credit.
Both business and personal credit cards have similar basic functionalities, but the differences are important to note.
Luckily, you don’t have to have a perfect credit score to reap the benefits of near-perfect credit.
Luckily, you don’t have to have a perfect credit score to reap the benefits of near-perfect credit.
Missed debt payments or collection accounts can stay on your report for 10 years.