<p>Should my daughter have a checkbook with a Columbia address?</p>
<p>Can she live without a credit card?</p>
<p>she should at least have a debit/atm card linked to an account
S got checks for free with his BofA account,really didnt use many until he moved off campus where he pays his rent by check.He used them for various other reasons through the years…
S got a small limit credit card along with the debit card.It teaches them some credit usage skills and builds up a credit rating.He uses it (on purpose) one or twice a month and then pays the bill promptly…so the card shows usage.
Because he’s out of state and travels and runs a car in SC we linked him to our American Express, for emergencies…like new tires,airline tickets (he does his own reservations), a new suit, ER or Dr visit which might require payment upfront…the kind of emergencies you might expect to happen over 4 years. This also allows them to purchase their books anywhere (including the internet) w/o you having to worry about whether theres enough $$ in the account covering the debit card, or on their Carolina Card.
The AMEx is in his name but billed to us.</p>
<p>My son, a junior, has not used a check since he started at USC. We did get him a Bank of America Campus Edge account (geared toward college students). We chose Bank of America because they have an ATM machine just outside the Russell House on campus. Son mainly uses a debit card and they also gave him a credit card with a small limit, but good for emergencies. Like Cathymee, we have the credit card bill sent here and we pay it; he has used it a couple of times for medical bills. When we opened his B of A account, we opened one too and linked his accounts to ours in case of any overdraft, and we can easily transfer money online if needed. It has worked out very well.<br>
For campus use, the Carolina Card (their ID card) can be used to purchase items in the bookstore, buy food/snacks in the dining halls, to do laundry in some of the machines, and it even works in many of the coke and snack machines. You can deposit money to your student’s Carolina Card , and it becomes available to the student with a half hour, if I remember correctly.</p>
<p>S has a debit card only that I can add cash to at a local branch. He also got free checks and has used a few in 3 years…
Was planning to do the same with D…but was debating the credit card thing since she will be so far away…she is a real shopaholic…lol…so I’m afraid we would have many “discussions” about what a true emergency is… I think I will try the debit card and she can call me for any emergencys and I will deposit the money into her account for now.</p>
<p>My D has a checking account with a debit card. My name is on the account so that I can add money if required. She also has a savings account which acts as an overdraft just in case. I have strongly recommended that my D not get a credit card. No reason to start my daughter out on a life of debt. College students and credit cards don’t mix. FYI… I am a Dave Ramsey convert.</p>
<p>i had a checking account with Bof A with my mom linked to it so she could easily transfer me money at school. B of A is huge in COlumbia so there are plenty of locations to access as well. I’ve used probably 4-5 checkbooks since i started college three years ago…if your S or D is thinking of joining a greek organization…we pay everything VIA checks or sometimes online via your debit card (tshirts, dues etc) so they will be very needed!</p>