Bamboozled - which pre-paid debit card for 9 year old

[GelatoQueen]

So been researching pre-paid debit cards for children but cannot decide which one to go for: Go Henry, Rooster money or Hyperjar.

Obviously Hyperjar is free, but kid needs email address and mobile phone.
Go henry is the most established but has a fee.

I really don't know which to opt for ... any thoughts /experiences welcome!

I wouldn't pay for anything like this - we just got by with using one of my accounts for DS until he was 11 and could have an account with a debit card of his own.

I got Rooster recently. Was offered free for a year from my bank (Natwest/RBS). I like it as easy to use. Dd has the app on her phone too but i don't think you have to do that. If so i would just use my phone/email for parent account and dh phone/email as the child account.

You set up HyperJar in your name/details and order a child's card once set.
Really easy to transfer funds etc. via an app.

Do they need a card of their own yet? If its more for saving, then spending if he is out with you, get yourself a Monzo card. Set up a pot in his name. Then you can easily add money to the pot, then when he wants to buy stuff, move money from his pot back to the main one.

We use go Henry for our teens. Other than helping with learning about money/saving/ect it's great to see where they are, what their up to with friends ect.

We’ve had rooster for years. I really like it. Cheaper than go Henry but gives you a level of control. I.e if DC is buying something online I need to generate the CV code in my app so I know what he’s spending on online games and can veto if it’s too much or a scam

you can also blacklist certain shops if you want

it works v well for us

if you’d like a referral code I can send you one, I think you get £10 off and I get a fiver or similar :)

I think I want to get DS a card now because he's beginning to get more independence. I've been doing cash pocket money (mainly because the grandparents only deal in cash) but it's a right pain when he wants to buy something. I'd rather he pay for his stuff with a card. I just can't decide if its worth paying a fee for GoHenry. Not sure what the added value is.

@Handsnotwands - yeah if you don't mind PM me with the referral code.

@GelatoQueen here you go :)

3327H-J

I don’t mind paying for GoHenry as my son (age 9) enjoys the money missions education pieces. I don’t begrudge paying developers/educators for good educational content that keeps him engaged. Also find it really easy to use and keeps him motivated with ticking off his jobs.

I haven’t tried the others so can’t compare.

Hyperjar are great, I just use my app for 2 kids cards.

I don't think he needs one at age 9. All major retailers are back to accepting cash so he can pay with cash (much better for those maths skills).
He shouldn't be buying anything online without your approval so you should use your card and he pays you back in cash.
At age 11 get a normal children's account that comes with a debit card.

There are no spending controls on normal kids bank accounts - he does have a couple of hundred pounds in his child bank account from christmas / birthdays etc and I'm not sure he wouldn't blow it all on Lego even at age 11. At the moment he can't get at it

Hyperjar is brilliant, my 7yo has one.all set up on the app on my phone, he doesn't need the app or anything. Is a mastercard, so accepted anywhere, really easy to move money in and out. And free!!

@GelatoQueen children's accounts that have debit cards do not allow children to overspend. The debit cards have no overdraft so you can't spend more than whats in the account.
You could set it up so you only put his weekly amount of pocket money in which I assume is what you would do with these pre paid ones.
Other money (ie Christmas money) can go into a savings account.
So there are spending controls.

My DS is 9. He doesn't have a card because he doesn't need one. He can still spend 'his' money, so can learn about managing his own money, but I look after it for him. Until he's old enough to be going to a shop or wherever he might need money by himself he doesn't need a card.
If you must get one, don't pay for it.

I started using goHenry after someone posted a link on here,and been really impressed with it.I like the way your children do money modules to learn about loads of money related topics,you can set parental controls on everything,see what they have used the card for and loads more.If anyone wants to use my code below,we both get £20,plus your first month's fee(£2.99) is free
https://www.gohenry.com/uk/referrals/?ght=RAF&utm_campaign=refer_a_friend_A&utm_source=activityMA#ref_act_goWW1839_Yk

I use Nimbl for the stage where they’re independently travelling to school but can’t have a bank app (which seem to be 13 and over). It’s not too pricey and it’s only for a couple of years. And it’s super easy to use for me and for them - easier than doing bank transfers and that’s now pretty easy!

I like that it does regular pocket money, as well as encouraging savings. It doesn’t link to chores, but that’s fine as I expect them done without needing to pay.

Thanks so much for this-I used your link and my daughter did some of the money missions,which are really educational and fun,and she's already got the £20 in her account.Thanks again,Go Henry seems perfect for what I want for my 11 year old.

Hey! We're using GoHenry, a kids' prepaid debit card and financial education app. It lets kids learn about money with in-app lessons and real-world money experience. Sign up with this link and we can both get £20 pocket money – plus you get 1 month free: https://www.gohenry.com/uk/referrals/?ght=RAF&utmcampaign=referrafrienddA&utmsource=activityMA#reffactgoDW123599Yk

I've posted another link if anyone wants to set theirs up for a child . I believe I can link it for up to 10 people per year .

We’re using HyperJar and so far it’s been fine, my favourite part when DS lost his card he was charged £5 from his balance for a replacement card he’s been a lot more careful
since

Hyperjar, definitely. Free to use, easy to transfer money, once kids have a phone they can set up their own saving jars... I don't know why anyone would pay for gohenry when hyperjar does much the same thing for free.

I find it quite surprising when hyperjar has been mentioned that anyone keeps plugging go Henry and the others, assuming for discounts as they add links.
Disingenuous. Hyperjar is completely free and as far as I can tell has the same saving functions, easy access and an app.
The alternative is people feel better when they are paying monthly? Odd.

@Lillywhitecar if your child is 11 they can have a completely free Halifax card account. They can use the card in shops and cash machines. Can't go overdrawn and use online banking.