This email from a Delaware teacher greeted me yesterday. It came from a student of hers [Bold is mine]:

I wanted to inform you that after we learned about pay cards in class I let my friend who was threatened with termination after being offered a pay card know that it was in his legal rights to decline that method of pay. He was extremely excited and wanted to let you know that he is very thankful. He says that Kansas City is not an easy place to find a teen job. After finding out that he is able to decline pay cards he spoke with his HR manager and let them know that he does not need to accept. From what he’s told me the HR manager was not very happy but my friend will continue to receive paper checks to deposit in his bank account.  Thank you for giving me the knowledge to stand up for me and others, and thank you for going above and beyond in helping teach your students how to get the most out of money and our lives. 

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Here's the resource about payroll cards that he is referring to, FinCap Friday: Getting Paid or Getting Played? 

About the Author

Tim Ranzetta

Tim's saving habits started at seven when a neighbor with a broken hip gave him a dog walking job. Her recovery, which took almost a year, resulted in Tim getting to know the bank tellers quite well (and accumulating a savings account balance of over $300!). His recent entrepreneurial adventures have included driving a shredding truck, analyzing executive compensation packages for Fortune 500 companies and helping families make better college financing decisions. After volunteering in 2010 to create and teach a personal finance program at Eastside College Prep in East Palo Alto, Tim saw firsthand the impact of an engaging and activity-based curriculum, which inspired him to start a new non-profit, Next Gen Personal Finance.