Helping Kids and Teens Build Smart Money Habits

Money skills don’t happen overnight. Just like riding a bike or learning to drive, kids need a safe place to practice. That’s where youth checking and savings accounts come in. They give kids and teens hands-on experience with money while parents stay in control.

Why Start Early

Studies have found that money habits begin to take shape as early as age 7. For example, a recent survey revealed 63% of parents have already set up a checking or savings account for their child, with nearly half doing so between ages 6 and 12. Children today also have more purchasing power than you might expect. About 80% of kids aged 7–17 spend up to $50 per week, which can add up to over $2,500 per year.

That’s money moving, whether parents see it or not. Opening a checking or savings account means those dollars go through a system you can manage, watch, and teach from.

Checking for Everyday Learning

A Student Checking (for ages 0-12) or Teen Checking (for ages 13-17) account introduces real-world money management in a safe, parent-supported environment. Young members can deposit allowance, babysitting cash, or their first paycheck and see how transactions add up over time.

Pairing the account with a Visa Debit Card makes the lesson even stronger. Every swipe or tap teaches kids how money moves in real time. Parents can monitor activity, set alerts, and step in with guidance when needed. Because debit cards only spend what’s in the account — with no overdrafts — they’re a built-in safeguard against overspending. And when your child is ready, accounts upgrade automatically to the next stage, so the tools grow with them.

Savings for Bigger Goals

A Student or Teen Savings Account shows the flip side: how money grows when you set it aside. Watching their balance rise helps kids and teens connect patience with payoff. Whether they’re saving for a new game, a first car, or college, they learn the value of planning ahead.

Savings accounts also pay dividends, giving young members a simple, tangible way to see their money work for them. Parents remain joint owners, so you can set goals together, celebrate milestones, and keep them motivated.

Parents Stay in Control

Student and Teen accounts are designed for shared learning. Parents have full visibility into balances and transactions, and can transfer money or set up direct deposits. It’s a safe environment where kids gain independence while parents stay connected.

Building Financial Confidence Together

Checking, savings, and debit cards give kids and teens the tools to build confidence with money before the stakes get higher. With guidance from parents and support from Frontwave, young members gain the skills they need to make smart financial choices now and in the future.

Ready to help your child start building smart money habits?

Stop by your nearest Frontwave branch.