If you’re considering a debit card for your kids and teens and want to know more about the Greenlight card – you’ve come to the right place. We’ll help all puzzled parents get answers to their questions including how it all works and the benefits and pitfalls of using it.
We’re also going to go over the essential features and alternatives to the Greenlight card. Without further ado, here’s what you should know.
What Is the Greenlight App?
Greenlight is a banking app aimed at kids and teens that also features a debit card. Parents can set flexible controls on their children’s spending and get real-time notifications on activity.
Greenlight’s mission is to help both parents and teens learn about money, saving, investing, and financial literacy. There are many features within the app that reflect that, but they might only be accessed through different plans.
Greenlight Plans
When you get the Greenlight app for kids, you’ll be able to choose between three plans:
- Core
- Max
- Infinity
Greenlight Core is the basic plan that costs $4.99 per month, with the first month being free. It features easy-to-use tools for spending, saving, and earning, parental controls, and savings rewards. But most importantly, with the Greenlight Core, parents and kids can apply for a debit card, which works for up to five kids.
Next up, there’s Greenlight Max, which costs $9.98 per month and it covers all the same features as Core, plus a few additional ones. Most notably, with the Max plan, kids will have access to the investing platform. There’s also priority customer support, extra security measures, as well as the Greenlight Black Card.
Finally, the Greenlight Infinity is $14.98 per month and offers up to 5% savings for kids. In addition to the features we’ve already listed, Infinity also boasts some unique security features. There’s Family Location Sharing, SOS Alerts, and Crash Detection.
What Is the Greenlight Card?
Now that we’ve covered the basics of the Greenlight app and plans, let’s talk about the card. It is a secured debit card for kids and teens that teaches smart spending. Parents can tie allowance to chores or even set up direct deposits for quick transactions.
With the Greenlight card, kids can set Savings Goals and they can be rewarded for their healthy money habits. In addition to its safety features, one of the reasons many parents opt for this debit card is the opportunity for investing.
Parents and kids can research the seemingly countless stock and ETF options, building long-term wealth, along with an investment portfolio.
How the Greenlight Debit Card for Kids Works
With the Greenlight card and app, parents and kids can get access to these time-saving features:
- Instant money transfers: With a click, parents can send money to their children’s accounts.
- Real-time notifications: Parents can set up spending alerts and see when a card’s been used or declined.
- Mobile payments: With Apple Pay or Google Pay, parents can make mobile payments.
- Store and ATM control: Parents can choose exactly where their kids can and can’t spend. They can also see ATM cash withdrawal limits.
- Balance tracking: Children and parents can have insight into the activity on different accounts.
Greenlight also wanted to ensure that its debit card is safe as can be. That’s why Mastercard’s Zero Liability Protection protects it, and all cards are insured by the FDIC up to $250,000.
What’s more, parents can turn the cards on and off from the app, and choose to log in with either face ID or touch. Greenlight’s Support Team is available 24/7 so parents and kids can reach out if they have any issues.
Another interesting feature of the debit card is that there are certain categories, products, and places where it can’t be used. Greenlight automatically blocks unsafe spending categories that include:
- Wires or money orders
- Security brokers or deals
- Dating/escort services
- Massage parlors
- Lotteries
- Online casinos or online gambling
- Horse racing and dog racing
- Non-sport internet gaming
- Cashback at the point of sale
How to Get the Greenlight Card
Those looking to get the Greenlight debit card should first go to the website, find the Debit Card page, and enter a phone number. Greenlight will then send a confirmation code that has to be entered on the website.
From there on, parents can register their entire family account. To do so, Greenlight will ask for some information like the names of the kids using the cards, mailing addresses, emails, dates of birth, and social security numbers.
When that’s taken care of, parents can link an existing bank account to the debit card. After the first free month, they’ll need to choose which plan they want and begin the monthly subscriptions.
Greenlight also allows for card customization, which costs $9.99. Parents should also know that from the moment of ordering, the card is most likely to arrive in 7–10 business days. However, they can expedite shipping and receive it in 2–3 days for an additional $24.99.
Alternatives to the Greenlight Card for Kids
If you tried out the Greenlight app and it didn’t work for you, we have a solution. Introducing the BusyKid Visa Spend Debit Card – Kids get the freedom. Parents love the security.
With the BusyKid Visa Spend Debit Card, parents can eliminate the need for on-hand cash, while their kids get to experience real-world financial lessons.
Giving your children the BusyKid card helps teach them money management and build healthy financial habits that will serve them a lifetime. What’s more, the card is safe, secure, and convenient.
Security is one of our top priorities. For one, all cardholders’ funds are insured by the FDIC in accordance with the FDIC’s applicable terms and conditions. Also, the cards are backed by Visa Zero Liability Policy, and if lost, the card can be immediately locked.
Why Choose BusyKid
For only $4/mo, parents and kids can have access to both the BusyKid app and up to five spend cards. Not only that, but you’ll also have access to some incredible financial features like chore charts, investment and charitable opportunities, parental approvals, bonuses, overviews, and so much more.
Also, unlike Greenlight, BusyKid doesn’t require an upgrade for the investing feature. Once kids have the app, they’re free to explore all investment options without additional cost.
And with the BusyKid 30-day subscription-back guarantee, there’s truly nothing to lose and everything to gain. So sign up now, and help get your kids started on their bright financial future!
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