How can you teach your teenager to manage money?

In practice: learning to manage money from the age of 15

At 15, Marcel, a secondary school student, dreams of buying his first gaming computer. But between going out and everyday expenses, his pocket money quickly runs out.

Thanks to his Young People account, his Visa Debit card, and access to Web Banking, he is learning to manage his budget more effectively. His parents have set up regular automatic transfers, providing small amounts each month to help him organise his spending, avoid spending more than he has, and start saving while tracking his budget for his project.

Learning about money can begin from an early age, but adolescence remains a key period. Eating out, transportation, social activities, and clothing are among the first expenses that teenagers begin to manage independently. These situations provide opportunities to gradually introduce the concept of budgeting and making choices.

How can parents support this independence?

Support often comes through simple everyday habits. The goal is to move step by step, according to the teenager’s pace and needs, to help build long-term independence:

 

• set a monthly budget adapted to their age;
• discuss spending priorities together;
• encourage saving for specific projects;
• explain the difference between needs and wants.

 

 

Cash is ideal for learning how to manage spending. A bank account, which is more practical, makes it possible to monitor your budget and account balance in real time.

Before the age of 18, the account is opened together with the parents, providing a secure framework for learning how to manage money. At 18, the young person becomes financially independent. From the age of 12, an account in their own name allows them to:

 

• have a bank card for everyday purchases;
• centralise their pocket money;
• organise their budget;
• benefit from parental controls (spending limits, expense tracking).

 

 

A bank account designed to support teenagers and young adults in gaining financial independence and managing their budget every day:

• a fee-free account until the age of 25 (11 currencies supported);
• a current account to receive and use money, with a Visa debit card for better control of their spending;
• a Youth Savings Account to save money regularly for future projects while benefiting from an attractive interest rate;
• access to Web Banking to monitor spending in real time, check balances and manage transactions anywhere, anytime;
• features tailored to everyday needs: cash withdrawals, online payments, unlimited SEPA and international transfers, Apple Pay and Wero⁽²⁾.

For parents, this account offers peace of mind by helping supervise the teenager’s spending: spending limits can be set, the card can be blocked remotely, and all transactions remain visible via Web Banking.

Over time, teenagers use different ways to manage their money easily. A bank card allows them to pay for daily expenses(1), within the limits of their budget. For small expenses between friends, such as splitting a bill or reimbursing a gift, solutions such as Wero make transfers fast, controlled, and easy.