Set them a monthly budget for their allowance which you upload to their MeCard card direct from your 'parent' card. You can also send money to their card in a 'crisis' by keeping a running balance on your parent card so amounts can be moved to their card instantly, probably saving you heaps of time, money and trips to the bank - wherever and whenever they call you from. Top ups to your parent card can be made either by debit / credit card from the MeCard website or at a PayPoint terminal in your local shop and will take approximately 2 hours to show on the account.

The card is accepted at over 5 million high street and online stores displaying the MasterCard Acceptance Mark and can also be used to top up a pay as you go mobile phone. The MeCard card can also be used to obtain cash from cash machines at home or abroad - perfect for foreign school trips, festivals or any other situation they find themselves in.

The account can be accessed 24 hours a day online where transactions and a running balance can be viewed. The card is Chip and PIN secure. The maximum balance on the card is GBP 500. Teenager cards incur a GBP 9.99 sign up fee but come loaded with GBP 10 credit.

MeCard has also negotiated a whole host of discounts and deals for their members in the 'Treat me' section of the web-site, saving them money off their essential purchases too!

Parents of teenagers over the age of 13 can apply for parent and teenager MeCard cards simply by logging on to www.mecard.co.uk and signing up.