Anyone have a Go Henry card for DC

[AppleAndPearss]

Thinking of getting 11 year old DD one, are they worth it

DC have the santander 123 kids current account which you can get a debit card with. It's easy to keep an eye on what they're spending their money on as I set up the online banking for them so have their log in details. I have a direct debit set up to their account every month for pocket money.

They manage their money better than I do

DD has a kids Revolut card instead

I have one for Ds, got it for when he started senior school.
The app notifies you whenever they spend money, how much and where they spent, in real time.
I tend to judge how long till he gets home by where he’s spent his money!
I also like that you can transfer to and from the card, and also allocate money for chores. Eg if I tick on my app all chores have been done. Then the allowance gets paid etc.
You could probably do the same with a current account, but I’m a bit lazy and will just pay the £3 monthly for the convenience!

How much pocket money do your kids get that £3 a month is relatively good value to pay for a card?

I liked the sound of it, then realised that when the DC were getting £4 a month pocket money, £3 for a card account was daylight robbery!

All mine have a Go Henry account, (and for the person who says it doesn't speak well to girls, you can change the name to that of your DC on the card so it will say 'Go Mary' or whatever) it works well for us, I can put what I want in as can family, I can easily send links for birthday and Christmas if people want to send gifts. I can also stick a chores list on there for some extra cash for them if they want to earn it and once I've checked the chore is done, the money goes over. Saving options are good too.
I don't notice the monthly charge at all and I have 3 kids using it and will have a 4th when she's old enough.

Mine has a nimbl one which is similar. He needs to be 13 to be able to use a banking app (plus I didn’t want to go into to the bank to set up a current account during lockdown) Once he’s 13 and covid’s settled I’ll probably open a current account for him but for now I like seeing where/when he’s spending his money and he can keep an eye on his account on his phone.

I had to get one for DS to use getting the bus for school as it was taking too long to open a current account. There are still problems with that, whereas Go Henry just sent a card out and I can top it up as needed, change limits and so on. Tbh I don't mind paying £2.99 a month (less than a latte out) for the convenience. Those saying you can get a bank account for free - not exactly if you have to go through a phone interview, wait for another interview, go into the bank with documents when you should be working..

My 13 year old DS has had one for a couple of years. I like it. I like being able to see where he's spending his money and what on - not in a controlling way but just keeping an eye on him I suppose. I top up his card with £40 a month and it's just nice and easy - and for me, worth the £3 a month fee for now. I'll convert him to a normal bank account in a year or two

I have was going to op, but then everyones on mn said why pay for what you can get for free!!

I've not got dd card yet.
We have nationwide book account but I'd like her to manage a proper bank account.

Can you do that at 13? Ie can I also log onto it?.. I never find nation wide much help really telling me what's on offer..

My 11yo has a Rooster card which is similar. Had a month's free trial then paid £24.99 for the year. It works well for us having a lot of control, to help him learn to manage money. A current account wouldn't be a good idea for him, but I can imagine a lot of 11 year olds would be fine.

www.nationwide.co.uk/products/current-accounts/flexone/apply

Nationwide offers a Flexone account from age 11. Can be opened online from age 13

We have used Go Henry, but now that Starling have launched kids accounts may just swap the whole family to Starling instead so as to see everything in one place (adults currently with Monzo)

I use Revolut instead it doesn't have a monthly fee for the basic level and does what it needs to.
Though you do have to pay for the card to be delivered.
You get an instant notification when they spend on the card.

My 11&13yo dc's have a Halifax account, debit card, phone app. No fee. I'd resent their pocket money being used to pay for the account.

Both my older two have them

They change the 'Henry' to whatever your child's name is. So 'go fleapriest'

I agree the £2.99 each is a bit steep, but I find having them so handy. I can set limits, see what they have spent. Encourage savings, top up extra if they have done extra chores.

I'll stick with them until they are both 14 I think and then switch to a normal free bank account.

Although HyperJar are releasing a very similar card to go Henry soon. That will be free.

Another Nimbl user here. It's a bit cheaper than Go Henry. The app is very good and until they are old/mature enough to have full control of their own finances, it's a really good option.

HSBC do a current account with a debit card.

For 11 year olds, I might add. No fees as yet. Simple to set up as I did one a couple of weeks ago.

They change the 'Henry' to whatever your child's name is. So 'go fleapriest'

I wonder why they didn’t choose a gender neutral name to advertise it then? In 2020 it’s unjustifiable to choose a male name to launch this. It screams “This isn’t for girls”

IIRC you have to pay to personalise the card if you want your child's name on it. To have it free you have to have the default Henry.