 TITLE: Can I Get a Credit Card at 16? CONTENT: Alternatives to Credit Cards for 16-Year-Olds\n---------------------------------------------\nNot quite ready to become an authorized user on a credit card?\nIf you want a card that will let you learn to budget or stop carrying cash, then consider getting a debit card or prepaid card instead.\nDebit cards are connected to your bank account. They allow you to spend the balance in your checking account, either by withdrawing cash from the ATM or swiping the card at stores. While convenient, they don't help you build credit (since you are spending your own money every time you use the card).\nPrepaid cards are the ones you see hanging on the rack at pharmacies, supermarkets and gas stations. You buy them for a set amount—say, $100—and can refill them as needed. Just be warned that they often come with a slew of fees. END