DR. WALLACE: I'm a responsible 17-year-old girl. I get an allowance and I babysit and do extra chores around our home and neighborhood to make a little extra money.

Often when I go out with friends, they have a credit or debit card that they use instead of carrying around cash. I'd like to get one too, but my dad thinks that if I get a card, I'll just start buying a lot of clothes and accessories. I do love my clothes and accessories, but like I said, I'm responsible! I told him that I'll only charge what I would have spent in cash anyhow and that I won't overspend my means or generate any interest charges. Still, he refuses. Do you agree with me or with him on this issue? — I Need a Card, via email

I NEED A CARD: I agree that you should at least be able to get a debit card. A debit card is backed by existing funds on deposit, and you are not extended credit when using a debit card.

If you don't have a savings account at a local bank yet, this would be the time to request that your parents allow you to open one. Tell good old dad that you'll share your bank statements with him so that you can garner his financial advice every month.

Once you do this, it should be a much easier "sell" to get your father to allow you to use a debit card at that bank, secured by your own money, not his. Over time, and as you grow older, you may want to consider a credit card for emergencies or to rent a car, for example, when you are old enough to do so, but that's down the road, so focus on just pursuing a debit card for now.

WE'RE READY BUT YET WE ARE A BIT HESITANT

DR. WALLACE: My boyfriend and I are considering marriage, but we have one key concern that worries each of us. We are both great people as individuals, but we were both raised in different religious faiths.

Is this issue a dealbreaker for us, or can we find a way to make things work? We live near the very center of America geographically, and fortunately our local community has been nothing but supportive of both of us.

Neither set of parents and relatives has complained, but we do feel at least a few of them are uneasy. With all that is going on in the world today, we think that we may encounter problems down the road in our lifetimes. Do you think we should proceed together or step back and think things over more? We have been together for four years, are deeply in love and know deep down that we are quite right for each other. — Ready but Hesitant, via email

READY BUT HESITANT: I feel that if you wish to marry, are deeply in love and know deep down that you are right for each other, you should proceed with your original plans.

And rather than focus on your differences, think instead about what a great example of unity, respect and harmony you each will be demonstrating to your respective families, houses of worship and to society at large.

How you elect to raise your prospective children, if you wish to start a family, is up to the two of you only. Communicate openly and honestly about this issue in advance, and then plan to unify. Based on your letter I feel that you two are indeed meant for each other and I wish each of you the very best for a happy, healthy and harmonious life together.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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