[Vowel Lady]

I have been here before, but not recently. Many of you have helped me tremendously...it is greatly appreciated.

WE have a family member (young adult) who suffers with Bipolar Disorder.

She takes her meds fairly regularly, has a good heart and seems to try her best, but there are many concerns.

One is that she struggles with money matters.

When we (her family) travel, we have considered leaving her with a credit card that we could add money to (via computer) only in case of extreme emergency. For example, a medical problem...should she need medicine or related supplies, for example.

However, we do not wish her to be able to overdraft on this card, or for this card to be tied to our bank account or for her use this card to get credit . We have our reasons as to why, etc.

Does anyone know of a card...maybe a teen card, etc. that has a very good reputation that provides these types of services? Something simple and very VERY safe, especially in terms of PREVENTING ABUSES of any kind.

Thank you.

[Isis]

Vowel Lady, as I live in another country, I can't help.

But I sympathise, I have personally been there.

About fifteen years ago, I cut up my credit cards, because I could not stop myself from mis/over-using them.

I just use a debit card making sure I have in that particular account only the amount of money I can afford.
When I travel, I pay the hotel in advance, so that is money I can't get to.

I carry some amount of cash and the rest of my expected budget stays in my account to be withdrawn as and when I need.

If there is an emergency, I have an arrangement with a friend, who will then transfer money to my account, after making sure it really is an emergency.

Textiles and antique tribal jewelry are my passion. Unfortunately in the kind of places I like to visit, mountain villages and forests, there is an overabundance of both.

[waves]

Dear Vowel Lady

i remember you. hi.

i can't think of a particular card/program, but banks that offer credit all do so with varying parameters, based on one's credit history.

i would start with your bank. see if they are agreeable to opening a credit line with a specified limit, and setting it up so there are no automatic increases. you could open the card in your name, and add her as an additional card holder. this way, she will not be able to make/request any adjustments to the credit line. the card would be billed directly to you, however. if you do it with your own bank, they will likely have a feature whereby you can link it to your bank account. this will make it easier to pay it, but this does NOT mean overdraft protection, which is entirely different.

generally, credit cards do not like to be prepaid. you can't leave a positive balance on most. they will cut a check and reimburse the following month.

another thing you could do is open a separate account in her name, and get her a debit card that is on visa/mastercard circuit. this is different from a credit card. no interest, no bills. but some banks offer debit cards that you can use the same way as you would a credit card.

another alternative is a "prepaid" credit card that is guaranteed by you for a fixed amount. i have only heard of these. generally they are done for people who have no credit history or bad credit history. an amount is placed on deposit and the credit limit is established based on that amount (usually equal to that amount). the account behaves 100% like a credit card. the guarantee deposit is not used to pay down the card... unless the holder defaults on payment...

if your bank doesn't have any convenient offerings, i'd just start visiting other banks in your area. the bigger ones are likely to have more offerings but may also be less flexible.

you could also consider AmEx. they are a charge card and not a credit card, and do not specifiy a limit. but they market themselves for "personalized" service - you might be able to specify conditions under which she can use the card. down sides are that AmEx is less widely accepted than Mastercard or Visa, and the annual fee is quite expensive.... even a second card holder is expensive.

~ waves ~

[DiMarie]

Hi vouel lady
Bice to see you drop in!
I had this situation and what I did was open an account at my bank that I coud access on my computer to transfer funds, but not link for overdraft protection.

Then I had a block put on so there could not be "courtesy" draft protection that would allow an OD and charge the fee...
I also have one now for the son, I only need to keep $5 in for no fees from the credit union.

The other program is Green Dot. It is a Visa type card that has a $3 to start and I think if you add money it is $3 I saw them at Walmart or go to greendot,com to check it out.

This may be the best if it is infrequently used, There are other cards like at CVS, but the greendot is only the $3 fee.
It can be used anywhere they take a major credit card.
Stop in and say hello our friend.
Di