Borrowing and Credit: Smart Money Moves for Teens A Beginner’s Guide to Money

Your future self will thank you for reading this now!

Borrowing and Credit: Smart Money Moves for Teens is a real-talk guide that turns confusing money stuff—credit scores, interest, “Buy Now, Pay Later,” and credit cards—into simple, teen-friendly steps you can actually use. It’s built around realistic situations (phones, gaming gear, clothes, school needs), plus charts, quick explanations, and end-of-chapter quizzes to lock it in.

Inside you’ll learn how to:

• Spot good debt vs. bad debt before you commit

• Understand how borrowing works, including interest, fees, and repayment plans

• Decode credit scores and how they affect apartments, cars, and even phone plans

• Use (or avoid) "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) so “easy payments” don’t become a money trap

• Recognize loan sharks, scams, and sketchy lenders before they reel you in

• Handle credit cards safely (and avoid the minimum-payment trap)

• Manage debt, get out of it without panic, and build credit the smart way
  

Perfect for teens who want independence, and for parents who want a practical way to talk about money without lectures—plus a dedicated Tips for Parents section at the end.

Educational purposes only. Not financial, legal, or tax advice.