If you’re earning money at a part-time job or your parents give you an allowance with the responsibility of buying your own clothes, entertainment, etc., a checking account can make your life easier. At Elevations Credit Union, you can open a checking account if you are age 13 or older.

Before you open your first checking account, you’ll want to learn the ropes so that you don’t start out with costly mistakes. Have a parent get you started with FoolProof for Parents, our interactive learning center for teens. Module 4: Road Trip teaches all about checking accounts and debits cards including an online homework module about writing checks and balancing your account.

Elevations Credit Union’s Free Checking is perfect for teens. There’s no minimum balance, no monthly fee, and you can write checks to your heart’s content without being charged a transaction fee. Once your checking account is setup, there are all kinds of add-ons you can choose to customize your checking account for your lifestyle:

• Visa Check Card. A check card looks just like a credit card but works the same as writing a check. Visit the Your First Plastic webpage for more information.
  
• Automatic Allowance. Your parents can set up an automatic transfer from their account to yours. Once you’re set up, money will arrive in your checking the same day each week. It will instantly be available for you to write checks, withdraw at an ATM, or for use with your debit card.
• “Bounce” Protection. Stuff happens. Either you make a mistake with the math, or you forget to write down a transaction. When you write checks or use your check card for an amount that is more than your checking account balance, this is called an overdraft, Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF), or a bounced check.  To keep from being charged fees, you need overdraft protection.  Most overdraft protection programs are loans which are not available to teens under age 18. Never fear, you can designate an account as an overdraft protection source to cover any mistakes that may happen. The designated account can be a primary savings account or an alternate savings account, owned by you or your parent.
• Online Banking. Sign up for Link24 Online Banking and you’ll have access to your account 24 hours a day.
• Direct Deposit. If your employer offers direct deposit, they can electronically deposit your paycheck directly into your checking account.