Can a Roth IRA Be Used for College? The Penalty Exception and the FAFSA Trap

Can a Roth IRA Be Used for College? The Penalty Exception and the FAFSA Trap

I am not a financial advisor or tax professional. Everything here is educational content based on my own experience managing my accounts and on publicly available IRS and Federal Student Aid rules — not personalized financial advice. Confirm details on irs.gov and studentaid.gov, or with a qualified tax professional, before making decisions for your family. … Read more

What Is an IRA Custodial Fee? Which Brokers Still Charge One

What Is an IRA Custodial Fee? Which Brokers Still Charge One

I am not a financial advisor or tax professional. Everything here is educational content based on my own experience managing my accounts and on publicly available fee disclosures — not personalized financial advice. Fee schedules change; confirm current figures on the brokerage’s own fee schedule before acting. “IRA custodial fee” is one of those phrases … Read more

What Is an IRA Custodian? Custodian vs. Custodial Account, Explained

What Is an IRA Custodian? Custodian vs. Custodial Account, Explained

I am not a financial advisor or tax professional. Everything here is educational content based on my own experience managing my accounts and on publicly available IRS rules — not personalized financial advice. Always confirm details on irs.gov or with a qualified tax professional before making decisions. There is a word doing double duty in … Read more

Does a Roth IRA Earn Interest? What a “Schwab Roth IRA Interest Rate” Really Means

Does a Roth IRA Earn Interest? What a “Schwab Roth IRA Interest Rate” Really Means

I am not a financial advisor or tax professional. Everything here is educational content based on my own experience managing my accounts and on publicly available rules and published rate disclosures — not personalized financial advice. Rates change constantly; always confirm current numbers on the brokerage’s own rate page before acting. One of the most … Read more

Can Grandparents Open a Roth IRA for a Grandchild?

Can Grandparents Open a Roth IRA for a Grandchild?

Can grandparents open a Roth IRA for a grandchild? In most cases, yes — and it may be one of the most powerful financial gifts you can give. Most major brokerages allow a grandparent to serve as custodian on a custodial Roth IRA for a minor grandchild. However, a handful of brokerages still restrict custodianship … Read more

Best Roth IRA Accounts for College Students

Best Roth IRA Accounts for College Students

A common question I see asked in personal finance communities goes something like this: “My kid just started college and has a part-time job — can they open a Roth IRA?” The answer is almost always yes, and the follow-up question — which are the best Roth IRA accounts for college students — is exactly … Read more

Types of Home Businesses You Can Legitimately Pay Your Kids Through

Types of Home Businesses You Can Legitimately Pay Your Kids Through

One of the most common questions I see asked in self-directed investor forums goes something like this: “Can I pay my kid for doing chores so they have earned income to fund a Roth IRA?” I completely understand the instinct. The Roth IRA is one of the most powerful tax-sheltering tools available, and wanting to … Read more

Chase Custodial Roth IRA: What Chase Actually Offers for Kids

Chase Custodial Roth IRA: What Chase Actually Offers for Kids

If you bank with Chase and hoped to open your child a Chase custodial Roth IRA, I have to be straight with you right from the start: you cannot do that today. Chase / J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing does not offer a custodial Roth IRA for minors. I know that is not the answer you … Read more