How does the Greenlight card work? 7 ways to use it today

Greenlight offers more than just a debit card for kids. It’s a full-featured financial literacy app that gives families the tools to raise money-smart kids. Designed for parents who want their kids to learn real-world money skills in a safe, controlled environment, Greenlight combines smart tech with financial education.

So, how does the Greenlight card work? It starts with a debit card for kids, but expands into a suite of features that help with saving, spending, earning, giving, and even investing, while parents stay fully in control.

Here’s a closer look at how families use Greenlight in their everyday lives, and how you can, too.

1. Give kids real spending power with their own debit card

Every child on a Greenlight account gets their own debit card (up to five for each family!), which can be used online or in-store wherever Mastercard is accepted. But, the debit card is not linked to a traditional bank account. Instead, parents load money into the child’s account through the Greenlight app.

This gives kids the freedom to make their own purchases, but with parents still managing the guardrails. The debit card helps introduce kids to all of the necessary basics of managing money without handing over full control.

2. Set limits with flexible parental controls

Speaking of control, with Greenlight, parents can set spending limits and decide exactly how the card can be used through parental control features. Want to cap how much your child spends on video games each week? You can. Prefer to block a specific store altogether? That’s possible too. You can even set different rules for each child if your kids are at different ages or stages.

You’ll get real-time alerts whenever the card is used, declined, or running low on funds, so there are no surprises. Kids get the freedom to make choices, but parents still have visibility into what’s happening. It’s a practical way to build trust while teaching responsible money management habits along the way.

Learn to earn, save, and invest together.

With a debit card of their own, kids and teens learn to spend wisely, keep an eye on balances, and track their spending. Big money dreams? Set savings goals and start investing with as little as $1 — with your approval on every trade.

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3. Automate chores and allowance, and skip the cash scramble

Greenlight lets parents automate weekly or monthly allowance payments, so you don’t need to keep cash on hand or remember to hand it out. Funds can be divided into categories like Spend, Save, and Give, so kids learn how to budget money as it comes in.

If your family ties allowance to chores, Greenlight makes that easy, too. You can assign tasks in the app and attach a dollar value to each one. Once the job is done (and approved), the money is added to your child’s balance.

4. Help kids save up for things they actually want

Kids can set savings goals for things they actually care about (a concert, a new game, or even something bigger) and then track their progress as they go. It’s an easy, no-pressure way to introduce the idea that some things are worth waiting (and saving) for.

Parents can also add a little extra motivation by offering parent-paid interest. Basically, the more kids save, the more they earn. It’s a simple way to reward good habits and get your kids thinking long-term.

5. Teach investing without stress

Greenlight’s investing tool* is another unique feature of the app. It’s a kid-friendly way to start teaching your kids about the stock market. Parents approve every trade, so nothing happens without a quick review first. Plus, kids can begin exploring how investing works: how to look up companies, what it means to own stock, and how their money can grow over time. 

6. Track location and driving for peace of mind**

For families with teens, the Greenlight Max and Infinity plans come with extra safety features that go beyond everyday money management. GPS tracking lets you see your child’s location in real time, and the built-in SOS alerts** give them a quick way to reach you in an emergency. It’s a great tool for parents of new drivers who want to stay informed and help their teens build safer habits behind the wheel.

These safety features are perfect for parents who have kids beginning to explore independence. Whether your child is walking home from practice or heading out for their first solo drive, Greenlight offers just a little more peace of mind in the background.

7. Learn about money management while playing games

The Greenlight app includes a built-in game called Level Up™ that turns financial literacy into something kids love to engage with. With short videos, minigames, and questions, your kids can explore topics like budgeting, saving, smart spending, and more in a fun way.

It’s the perfect way to help your kids build real money skills. They learn by playing, and those lessons tend to stick a lot better when they’re earned through experience!

Built for them. And for you.

Both you and your kids download the Greenlight app — with tailored experiences. They check off chores, you automate allowance. They spend wisely, you set flexible controls. They build healthy financial habits, and you cheer them on.

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So, how does the Greenlight card work? 

Well, in a nutshell, Greenlight gives kids room to practice real financial decision-making while keeping parents connected every step of the way. Each feature is designed to create teachable moments, without turning important money conversations into arguments.

Whether it’s setting spending boundaries, saving for something big, or learning how to invest, Greenlight turns day-to-day family life into a space where financial literacy can thrive.

Reach $ goals together. Teach your kids about saving for life's big moments with Greenlight’s award-winning money app. Try Greenlight, one month, risk-free.† *©2025 Greenlight Investment Advisors, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor provides investment advisory services to its clients. Investing involves risk and may include the loss of principal. Investments are not FDIC-insured, are not a deposit, and may lose value. Available with Greenlight Max and Infinity plans. 

**Requires mobile data or a WiFi connection, and access to sensory and motion data from cell phone to utilize safety features including family location sharing and driving alerts and reports. Messaging and data rates and other terms may apply.

†Valid for new customers only. Subject to identity verification and minimum load requirements. Your first monthly fee will be billed to your parent wallet seven days after successful registration. To receive a refund of your first monthly fee, you must request to close your account on or before the day immediately preceding your first Monthly Billing Date. See the ‘Account’ tab of Settings by tapping the gear icon on the Greenlight app home page to confirm when your risk-free trial ends. See Terms for details.