In-depth reviews of brokerage platforms for custodial accounts
Jennifer Walsh · July 15, 2026These two Fidelity products get confused constantly, and it’s an easy mix-up — both are aimed at minors, both are opened by a parent, and both have “Fidelity” and some version of “for kids” in the marketing. But they do genuinely different jobs, and a lot of parents end up with the wrong one for … Read more
Jennifer Walsh · July 15, 2026Most of what’s written about Schwab and Roth IRAs on this site is aimed at parents opening a custodial account for a minor. This review is different — it’s for adults opening their own Roth IRA at Schwab, whether that’s a first-time investor, someone consolidating accounts, or a parent who just helped their kid open … Read more
Jennifer Walsh · July 4, 2026
Most of what’s written about Roth IRAs for kids is aimed at parents of young children being paid through a family business. Teenagers are a different — and honestly easier — case. A 15-, 16-, or 17-year-old with a W-2 from a lifeguarding job, a grocery store, or a summer camp has unambiguous earned income, … Read more
Jennifer Walsh · May 19, 2026
Last spring, I was reading about a parent wanting to open a Schwab custodial Roth IRA for their 14-year-old daughter who’d earned $312 from a summer job at a local bakery. That question — “Can we do this at Schwab?” — is one I’ve seen asked more than almost any other when it comes to … Read more
Jennifer Walsh · May 9, 2026
It is one of the most common questions I see asked: a fifteen-year-old earns $3,200 lifeguarding over the summer, and a parent wants to know where that money should go. The answer is often a Fidelity custodial Roth IRA — an account a surprising number of parents have never heard of. Once you work through … Read more
Jennifer Walsh · March 1, 2026
Financial Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Key Takeaways What Is a Vanguard Custodial Roth IRA and How Does It Work? A Vanguard custodial Roth IRA is a tax-advantaged individual retirement account opened by an adult custodian — … Read more
Jennifer Walsh · December 21, 2025
Comparing Custodial Roth IRA Providers for Kids in 2025 Roth IRA • 5 min read Establishing a custodial Roth IRA for your child can be an excellent strategy for jumpstarting their financial future. These specialized accounts enable minors with earned income to begin saving for retirement early, providing all the tax-free growth advantages of a … Read more