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Original poster

Which pre-payment card for pocket money?

24 replies

fastwigglylines · 23/01/2021 16:08

I've been looking at pre-payment cards for my 12yo DS as he'd like to be able to spend his weekly pocket money online more easily (on Warhammer figures and paint, most likely).

Can anyone recommend one?

I've found these ones which look good, does anyone know if they're good to use?

These two allow you to set up chores / tasks for pocket money, which would be great as I always meant to set chores for his pocket money (just basic stuff to get him helping out a bit more) but I'm not very organised and usually forget.

Rooster Money

Go Henry

This one helps them learn to budget by breaking down what the money's spent on and setting up funds to save up for stuff.

Osper

Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
fastwigglylines · 23/01/2021 16:08

And, come to think of it, if he gets one his 7yo sister will probably want one too!

OP posts:
LongIslandIcedT · 23/01/2021 16:09

Get a child's bank account with debit card, they don't charge expensive monthly fees.

Chilver · 23/01/2021 16:10

Rooster is good and the app is easy to use. Very similar to the Go Henry, but cheaper.

smoothchange · 23/01/2021 16:11

Get a current account. Go Henry etc is a load of bollocks you don't need.

Original poster
fastwigglylines · 23/01/2021 16:11

@LongIslandIcedT

Get a child's bank account with debit card, they don't charge expensive monthly fees.
That was our original idea but none of them are doing online or phone applications for accounts for 12 year olds. Nationwide claim to be, but in reality you still need to turn up at a branch with ID.

So I've said he can do that after lockdown.

And anyway, I do like the look of the features on these apps.

OP posts:
Original poster
fastwigglylines · 23/01/2021 16:12

@Chilver

Rooster is good and the app is easy to use. Very similar to the Go Henry, but cheaper.
Good to know, thanks :)
OP posts:
smoothchange · 23/01/2021 16:13

@fastwigglylines

And, come to think of it, if he gets one his 7yo sister will probably want one too!

Tell her she can have one when she turns 11, that's when banks offer current accounts and debit cards to kids. She doesn't need a card because her brother had one any more than he needs a go Henry and the like gimmick

Original poster
fastwigglylines · 23/01/2021 16:14

Perhaps she doesn't. But I like the idea of setting chores via the app.

I have ADHD and find it really hard to keep on top of chores for myself, let alone for everyone else. Programming weekly chores into an app sounds like a helpful system to me.

OP posts:
mamaoffourdc · 23/01/2021 16:14

We use Osper for all 4 of ours and find it brilliant

Original poster
fastwigglylines · 23/01/2021 16:15

At the moment, the DC are stuck at home and for goodness knows how much longer. They can't spend their pocket money in shops.

I think the idea of them getting cards and learning how to manage money a bit more independently is a positive thing, and while we're stuck at home, why not?

OP posts:
idontlikealdi · 23/01/2021 16:16

My nine year olds have go Henry. It's fine. For a 12 year old I'd get a bank account with a debit card.

Original poster
fastwigglylines · 23/01/2021 16:17

@mamaoffourdc

We use Osper for all 4 of ours and find it brilliant
That's interesting. I like the look of the feature that lets you set chores for pocket money in the other two. Am I right in thinking Osper doesn't do that?

But it seems to be more focussed on helping them learn about saving and budgeting, is that about right?

Has it helped yours to do that?

OP posts:
Original poster
fastwigglylines · 23/01/2021 16:18

@idontlikealdi

My nine year olds have go Henry. It's fine. For a 12 year old I'd get a bank account with a debit card.
Can't get a bank account with a debit card till after lockdown. This is a lockdown measure.
OP posts:
Ionacat · 23/01/2021 16:18

My daughter has a Rooster one - very happy with it and it’s easy to use. Customer service was fab when it didn’t work. We got it last summer when lots of places stopped taking cash. She likes some independence and I’d rather she carried a card rather than lots of cash. I rarely have any cash at the moment but it means I can send her down the road for milk having put some money on her card or she’ll go into a shop for me saving me taking her younger sister too.

joeyroo · 23/01/2021 16:22

I recently opened my son a Nationwide account. Did have to take id to the branch but that was just a quick check of passports so less than 5 minutes, then the main 'interview' was over the phone.
Nationwide kids' banking is tremendous IMO, proper online banking from age 11. Our older DC have really benefitted from this and now as teens/young adults get great features and service from them.

Ashard20 · 23/01/2021 16:28

My son has a Nimbl card. He's 15. We got it because the parent can instantly top it up in an emergency, such as needing to buy a train ticket or use a taxi. (He travels a long way on his own every week for specialist training - or did, pre-Covid.) Anything not spent each month can go straight into savings automatically. Family and friends can give money as gifts. It's been great, mostly as a safety net if, for example, he had to buy a replacement train ticket, or go out of London to stay with a family member if the train is cancelled etc.

smoothchange · 23/01/2021 16:34

@Ashard20

My son has a Nimbl card. He's 15. We got it because the parent can instantly top it up in an emergency, such as needing to buy a train ticket or use a taxi. (He travels a long way on his own every week for specialist training - or did, pre-Covid.) Anything not spent each month can go straight into savings automatically. Family and friends can give money as gifts. It's been great, mostly as a safety net if, for example, he had to buy a replacement train ticket, or go out of London to stay with a family member if the train is cancelled etc.

You can do this with an actual bank account though? What is the point in paying monthly for something you can get for free?

Original poster
fastwigglylines · 23/01/2021 16:39

@joeyroo

I recently opened my son a Nationwide account. Did have to take id to the branch but that was just a quick check of passports so less than 5 minutes, then the main 'interview' was over the phone. Nationwide kids' banking is tremendous IMO, proper online banking from age 11. Our older DC have really benefitted from this and now as teens/young adults get great features and service from them.
Yes, the Nationwide Flex account looks great. I've said he can have that after lockdown. I would have to get a bus to the neighbouring town to go to the branch. Not doing it right now!
OP posts:
unmarkedbythat · 23/01/2021 16:41

Nimbl. We got one for ds2 before he could get a child account with debit card and its v good.

Original poster
fastwigglylines · 23/01/2021 17:03

Ooh, I just found a free version. Has anyone used or heard of Hyper Jar?

OP posts:
jackstini · 23/01/2021 17:04

If you decide you want a current account, Barclays are opening them via video - did this for both mine (12 & 14) last year

You have to download the normal app and the video one

Soubriquet · 23/01/2021 17:04

I use gohenry

Yes it’s a bit pricey but it works well for my two, and it’s so easy to use

Ashard20 · 23/01/2021 17:08

@smoothchange
Did you read my post? Because you can instantly top it up in an emergency e.g.possibly having to buy a £95 train ticket at very short notice. It suited our need at the time.

smoothchange · 23/01/2021 17:08

[quote Ashard20]@smoothchange
Did you read my post? Because you can instantly top it up in an emergency e.g.possibly having to buy a £95 train ticket at very short notice. It suited our need at the time.[/quote]

Yes. Did you read mine? You can instantly transfer money into a current account in an emergency.

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