Why Every Gen Alpha Kid Needs a Debit Card (Yes, Even Yours)

Guest Editorial by Dawn Ranae Bausch

I’m raising EmLo (my twins, Emily and Logan) in a typical Chicago suburb where financial institutions, gas stations, fast food joints, and coffee shops are all just a short walk or drive away. They’re 14, born in 2011, but mentally they’re pushing 18 with confidence and eye rolls to match. As members of Gen Alpha, they’re growing up in a world that’s not just cashless AND it’s rapidly becoming cardless.

Dawn Ranae Bausch

My kids can lose a sweatshirt, water bottle, or soccer ball without blinking. But their phones? Never left behind. Occasionally "borrowed" or hidden by the other twin, sure, but always accounted for!

That’s why I believe every preteen and young teen should have their own debit card. Cash and coins are too easy to lose and definitely don’t fit in those tiny card sleeves stuck to the back of a phone case, which I require EmLo to use.

But a debit card? That’s freedom, responsibility, and a crash course in adulting “Gen Alpha” style for my kids (and your kids too).

Where It All Began: Cracker Barrel, Target, and Grandma

Who knew Cracker Barrel and Grandma would play key roles in financial literacy? It started with swiping my credit card at Target, treating Grandma to lunch when I couldn’t leave work, and eventually budgeting with birthday money.

Through all this, EmLo began learning real-world banking skills: how to plan, how to spend wisely, and how to awkwardly argue with their parents over who really owns the money in their checking account.

Credit Unions: Are You Paying Attention?

Credit unions have a massive opportunity right now. Gen Alpha is here, and if you don’t engage them (and their parents) early with education, marketing, and dedicated youth member accounts, you’ll miss out on the loyalty of an entire generation! And trust me, loyalty built at age 11 sticks around.

ATM Memories & Shoe Secrets

My kids grew up watching me pull cash from the ATM down the street. They saw it used to pay babysitters, house cleaners, and for strategic purchases I didn’t want my husband to know about. (Example: A $100 pair of shoes? I’d pay $40 in cash and $60 on a card. He never noticed. Unless he’s reading this now…oops.)

But aside from that, everything they saw me buy was with plastic. So, I turned those teachable moments into real lessons.

Baby Steps to Big Confidence

• Age 8: I let them hand my card to the server at restaurants. Pretty soon, they were asking for the check—even if I wasn’t done eating.

• Age 9: They mastered the art of swiping at fast food counters and self-checkouts, with me at their side.

• Age 10: I sent them into 7-Eleven or a gas station to pick out snacks (and grab something for me) while I waited in the car.

• Age 11: We walked into the credit union and opened checking accounts. Each got a shiny new debit card with their name on it, and pretended to have no clue it was still their parents’ money that funded their account.

Depositing birthday cash or chore money became an event. We’d go inside, talk to tellers, or use the ATM. These weren’t just transactions, they were confidence boosters and repeatable, habit-forming banking experiences.

The $10 Cracker Barrel Debacle

The first time I let EmLo use their cards solo was at Cracker Barrel. I gave them a $10 limit. My daughter picked out a stuffed animal, and as she went to pay, I slipped a Christmas ornament into her hands and said, “Add this for me.” Her response?

“No. I’m using MY money. You have your own.”

I had to remind her that the money magically appearing in her account comes from her parents. This concept is still a struggle. If their name is on the card, it’s theirs, right? Insert dramatic teen eye roll here.

Grandma: MVP of the Financial Literacy Team

With two kids in multiple activities, our family schedule feels like being an air traffic controller with constant takeoffs, landings, and no room for error.

When we need help, we call Grandma. She’s an amazing helper (and mom to me). She refuses gas money but will gladly let the kids “treat” her to lunch or dessert, using their debit cards (funded, again, by mom and dad).

One time, after a long game, Logan proudly bought them each a burger and fries to share. He treated himself to a chocolate shake and Grandma an IPA. Yes, a beer. No worries, Grandma was there, and he didn’t try the drink. He just loves telling people about the time he bought his Grandma a beer for being his Uber drive. It's adorable...right?

Let Kids Practice Now—While You’re Still Around

Here’s the truth: using a debit card can be intimidating at first. But so is riding a bike or parallel parking (that’s why I live in the burbs and not downtown Chicago)!

The more exposure your kids to financial tools now, the more prepared they’ll be when you’re not hovering over them at checkout or allowing to grab lunch with friends.

Set them up with a low-limit debit card. Enable card controls. Get purchase alerts. Teach them how to talk to branch tellers.

Let them mess up in safe environments, like buying too many slushies at the waterpark because they want to treat their friends (which, by the way, is now cardless) or buying a drink AND snack at the gas station, while you wait in the car.

Because if your kid can’t buy a Pink Drink at Starbucks, what are we even doing?

Credit Unions: Time to Act

Here is my plea:

• Create youth checking products

• Educate your staff and members

• Market to parents and schools

• Invest in financial literacy

You’re not just scoring a kid member; you’re raising a future loyal adult member AND letting their parents keep one electric eye (and a few push notifications) on them through your mobile app. 

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With more than 20 years of experience partnering with credit unions, Dawn Bausch has cultivated a strong appreciation for their member-first values and meaningful role in local communities. Throughout her career, she has supported credit union growth by delivering innovative solutions across digital banking, loyalty programs, marketing, and a wide range of fintech integrations.  A true advocate for the credit union movement, Dawn has also served as a credit union board member, deepening her commitment to their mission.