Do you, or someone you know personally, have a ZERO credit score like Dave Ramsey talks about? - Page 9

[redvlagrl]

Originally Posted by VisionaryMom 

I see this concern as a pretty big one, tbh. If some of the chaperones have traveled extensively, it might be okay, but I'd imagine many of the parents are excited about the trip, too. Now, someone has to go with this one child to find a bank every couple of days, assuming the hotel won't cash them. That has so much potential to make your daughter an inconvenience, and really, I don't think that's fair to either her or the chaperone.
 

The OP's daughter doesn't have a checking account. OP keeps saying "if we get one before then," so apparently there's some hold up in getting one. I agree, though, that it would be a simple solution to the problem.
 

What hold up could there possibly be? It takes minutes to open one. I was even able to open one when I was a foreign student in the US (and therefore more of a terrorist risk, I suppose, LOL).

[happysmileylady]

Wow, I am really kinda surprised that so many people are so adamant that travellers checks are the debil! 

The reality is that I am not so much against anything mentioned other than giving a teenager a credit card, ESPECIALLY since this trip is like 12 days.  I have no issues with prepaid cards or debit cards or any of that.  Why doesn't she have a checking account yet?  Well, it's never come up before.  Really.  She just pays cash for everything and she's never asked for a checking account or debit card.  It's actually something that's only just occured to me that she might benefit from since she turned 15 in December, but honestly it's just not been top priority.  There's not been a need.  Nothing more than that.  We have been a little more focused on issues getting her passport and getting signatures from the other person on the birth certificate.

I just don't think traveller's checks are so evil and awful just because others find credit cards to be easier.  And the fact that they can be replaced in 24 hours if lost is a big deal.  I don't know who said their bank overnights a debit card...mine doesn't, I know from experience.  And I have a hard time imagining any bank internationally overnighting a debit card for free out of the goodness of their hearts. 

Really, we are talking about travellers checks, not self printed currency or something.  And I am not talking about trying to use the travellers check at a merchant....crap it was difficult to do that 15 years ago with them.  Just keeping the cash for later in the trip in that form at the beginning of the trip, to be cashed at a later time, to hedge against losing them. 

[happysmileylady]

And I aplogize I totally didn't mean to draw this thread so far off topic.  Just meant to show that there are other options for international travel besides the almighty credit gods.

[velochic]

I actually think, happysmileylady, that your situation is absolutely on topic.  The topic is about utilizing credit and your dd is a perfect example where it makes sense, but because of your rabid aversion, she is likely going to be the one that will "pay" the price.  This, IME, is an example where people who refuse to utilize credit responsibly (*not debt... this is not about spending money you don't have, but the means of spending money you do*) hurt themselves in the end because of a distorted mindset about not using cash.  Many people here have told you the following things:

- it will be difficult to cash the traveler's checks

- she will pay a hefty fee to use them

- they are not widely accepted anymore

- she will have to cash them at banks (and in Europe they can be hard to find and are open odd hours)

- she will have to separate from her group to get cash frequently and have a chaperon along

- she's probably going to figure out that it's best to just cash them all in at once and keep the cash handy, anyway

- other forms of currency can also be replaced quickly

- traveler's checks are not necessarily replaced in 24 hours.  It can take up to 3 days

- the chaperons will have to deal with the issues, not you

I cannot wrap my head around why you are so opposed to using something like a pre-paid visa - it's no different than using a traveler's check, except it's accepted almost everywhere!  You said that your dd was the most responsible 15 year old you know.  You said she is responsible with money.  Why do you insist that she is going to lose her money when she's over there, then?  That seems to be your one and only reason for using traveler's checks - they can be replaced.  If she's so responsible, she can be trusted with a debit card or pre-paid visa.  Let her decide.

ETA:  I just got off the phone with another parent from dd's school.  (She attends an International language-immersion school.)  My friend's son is about to go on the 5th grade trip abroad with the class.  When I asked my friend about traveler's checks, she said that they are not allowed to bring them because of the difficulty using them and the time that it takes just to convert to cash.  You might want to first check if she is even allowed to bring them.

[ChristyMarie]

Originally Posted by happysmileylady 

.... I don't know who said their bank overnights a debit card...mine doesn't, I know from experience.  And I have a hard time imagining any bank internationally overnighting a debit card for free out of the goodness of their hearts. ..... 

That was me.  My debit card was accidentally cancelled because the bank sent it to my old address and it was returned.  I had just moved and hadn't filled out the change of address yet.  It was declined at my vet's before I knew there was a problem.  Bad timing all around.

My bank talked to my vet's office on the phone to apologize and explained it was not my fault.  They had a new ATM card if I wanted to come pick it up that day and overnighted a new debit card at their expense.

Our main bank is a small, privately owned bank.  Sometimes it pays to not use a huge corporation sometimes because you do get personal service.  I have no doubt that if a situation came up on vacation they would get a new card to us ASAP.  We would incur a shipping charge but really, that cost is justified to have access to money if something happened.  But, again, I'd contact AMEX first because I think they'd respond quicker, especially after hours and/or out of the country.
 

[happysmileylady]

Originally Posted by velochic 

I cannot wrap my head around why you are so opposed to using something like a pre-paid visa - it's no different than using a traveler's check, except it's accepted almost everywhere!  You said that your dd was the most responsible 15 year old you know.  You said she is responsible with money.  Why do you insist that she is going to lose her money when she's over there, then?  That seems to be your one and only reason for using traveler's checks - they can be replaced.  If she's so responsible, she can be trusted with a debit card or pre-paid visa.  Let her decide.

ETA:  I just got off the phone with another parent from dd's school.  (She attends an International language-immersion school.)  My friend's son is about to go on the 5th grade trip abroad with the class.  When I asked my friend about traveler's checks, she said that they are not allowed to bring them because of the difficulty using them and the time that it takes just to convert to cash.  You might want to first check if she is even allowed to bring them.

Actually if you had read the post

The reality is that I am not so much against anything mentioned other than giving a teenager a credit card, ESPECIALLY since this trip is like 12 days.  I have no issues with prepaid cards or debit cards or any of that

I genuinely don't have issues with prepaid cards.  Or debit cards.  That is mostly what I have used when I have traveled.  I was actually in Nassau Bahamas on 9/11/01.  Without a credit card even.  And I still managed to make it home without accruing debt.

And in actuallity, I am not nearly so pro travellers checks as others here seem to be so rabidly adament that they are the DEBIL!  I mean really, somone posted that they felt sorry that a 15 year old who is traveling to Spain, France and Italy for the first time, and going on vacation without mom and dad for the first time, because while on that trip she would have to deal with the (in reality minor) inconvience of having to cash a travelers check a few times in 12 days.  Go ahead and pity her, I am sure she will have a good time regardless.  Its a travelers check, not counterfit cash. 

[velochic]

That was me that said that.  I don't pity her and I never said that.  I feel sorry for the situation she'll be in if you force her to use traveler's checks.  It's not going to be a *minor* inconvenience and it's not going to inconvenience only her, but her chaperons as well.  It is going to cost her a lot more money because you insist that she uses them.  This is based on experience, not supposition.   I hope you do let her have a debit card or pre-paid visa.  Make sure the pre-paid visa does not state that it can be used domestically only.  There are pre-paid visas that state "for use in the United States only".  Be careful of that.

I don't know what "debil" means that you are talking about in your posts, so I'm kind of confused about what your point is there.
 

Originally Posted by happysmileylady 

I mean really, somone posted that they felt sorry that a 15 year old who is traveling to Spain, France and Italy for the first time, and going on vacation without mom and dad for the first time, because while on that trip she would have to deal with the (in reality minor) inconvience of having to cash a travelers check a few times in 12 days.  Go ahead and pity her, I am sure she will have a good time regardless.  Its a travelers check, not counterfit cash. 

[happysmileylady]

Sorry and pity are synonyms.  Feeling sorry for someone is just like feeling pity for them. 

Sorry for the confusion.  Debil is a slang term for devil/evil. 

Originally Posted by velochic 

That was me that said that.  I don't pity her and I never said that.  I feel sorry for the situation she'll be in if you force her to use traveler's checks.  It's not going to be a *minor* inconvenience and it's not going to inconvenience only her, but her chaperons as well.  It is going to cost her a lot more money because you insist that she uses them.  This is based on experience, not supposition.   I hope you do let her have a debit card or pre-paid visa.  Make sure the pre-paid visa does not state that it can be used domestically only.  There are pre-paid visas that state "for use in the United States only".  Be careful of that.

I don't know what "debil" means that you are talking about in your posts, so I'm kind of confused about what your point is there.
 

[velochic]

Originally Posted by happysmileylady 

Sorry and pity are synonyms.  Feeling sorry for someone is just like feeling pity for them. 

Sorry for the confusion.  Debil is a slang term for devil/evil. 

Debil is slang for "moronic", actually.

If you want to split hairs, then you can say "pity" if you want.  That's fine by me, although I think it doesn't explain what I was saying.  It doesn't matter.  I just wouldn't want to be in your dd's shoes when she goes on this trip... an particularly I wouldn't want to be in her chaperon's shoes.  Ultimately, it's your decision and it looks like nothing will change your mind, so best of luck to your dd on her trip.  I do hope things work out OK for her.

[redvlagrl]

Originally Posted by happysmileylady 

I genuinely don't have issues with prepaid cards.  Or debit cards.  That is mostly what I have used when I have traveled.  I was actually in Nassau Bahamas on 9/11/01.  Without a credit card even.  And I still managed to make it home without accruing debt.

And in actuallity, I am not nearly so pro travellers checks as others here seem to be so rabidly adament that they are the DEBIL!  I mean really, somone posted that they felt sorry that a 15 year old who is traveling to Spain, France and Italy for the first time, and going on vacation without mom and dad for the first time, because while on that trip she would have to deal with the (in reality minor) inconvience of having to cash a travelers check a few times in 12 days.  Go ahead and pity her, I am sure she will have a good time regardless.  Its a travelers check, not counterfit cash. 

happysmilylady - when was the last time you travelled internationally using traveller's cheques? For me it was 1994 or so and it was a PITA. In the *extensive* international travelling I have done since then, I cannot imagine having try and cash them.

I don't think anyone is suggesting your DD sign up for a 'real' credit card, possibly getting herself into debt. I think the suggestion of a CC is for emergency purposes only. Like a real emergency. My colleague happened to be in Japan during the earthquake and needed to get cash fast.

As I see it, here are your DD's realistic options:

- Take cash only, stashing most in a money belt to be worn at all times.

- Take a mix of cash and a prepaid debit card/ prepaid credit card - the cards to be used for larger purchases if there are any.

I don't think you need worry too much about emergencies as she is being chaperoned and presumably if there was some sort of problem they will be able to take care of it.

I think the biggest worry is her being separated from the group somehow and having some *ready* cash to pay for a (possibly very expensive) taxi ride back to where she is staying. If she had traveller's cheques she would have to find somewhere to cash them (very difficult as numerous posters have stated - what if the banks aren't open or are closed for lunch [yes this DOES happen]) and then find a cab.

[lookatreestar]

its less than 2 weeks. i'm sure she will be fine without a cc. honestly if the chaperon has an issue with helping the minor than maybe they shouldn't be going?

[karne]

Originally Posted by lookatreestar 

its less than 2 weeks. i'm sure she will be fine without a cc. honestly if the chaperon has an issue with helping the minor than maybe they shouldn't be going?

This isn't really the issue.  The issue is whether it's a wise use of credit (not incurring debt) to equip a minor child, travelling in a foreign country, with a form of "currency" that is easily accessible, most likely accepted quickly and without question, and provides a measure a safety, versus equipping the child with a more cumbersome, less than easily utilized form of "currency", and one that would be potentially problematic to use during the occassion of an emergency, because...well, the reasons aren't clear, but possibly philosophical, personal views of the use of credit.