<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I have a business that brings in several thousands of dollars per month. I will be traveling to two cities on opposite sides of the country this summer and will want to have some spending money. I'd like to pay myself $1k to have for these trips, but I would much rather have that on a debit card instead of cash for obvious reasons.</p>
<p>So, I have a few questions... Would I be able to write myself a check for $1k and put that into a checking account that I open up without having it under my parents' account? I do have a checking account as a sub-account of my parents right now, but I would rather not put the money in that account for a couple of reasons that I do not want to list here.</p>
<p>I know they have those gift cards, but I don't want one of those either... I would rather have a real checking account that I completely own. I am 17 btw.</p>
<p>Have to be an adult to open a checking account independently. Alternatively, you might be able to emancipate, but if you’re uncomfortable depositing money into your joint account, I’m not sure that would be a viable solution.</p>
<p>I got one a 13 just because I was going on a trip and didn’t want to carry a couple hundred dollars in cash so my mom and I went to the bank and they set up a joint account so my parents can add or take out money but it is still in my name</p>
<p>You can definitely get your own debit card. Yeah, the accounts have to be linked but as long as your parents aren’t gonna mess with your money then it won’t even matter.</p>
<p>I had my own independent debit card at 16, no joint, no parents, nothing. Went to Bank of America by myself and set it up, been going good ever since. So I’d imagine you could.</p>
<p>I would recommend a credit union, not a private bank. Credit unions are not for profit, so you will get better rates there.</p>
<p>Yes, you will have to get a parent to sign off responsibility for your debit account, but I believe in terms of protecting your money they would not be able to take it from you without your permission. I have two debit cards and this has been the case for both of them.</p>
<p>bank of america allows a completely independent checking or savings account at 16</p>