Guides to custodial Roth IRAs and investment accounts for minors
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, 2026Parents ask me a version of this question in almost every consultation: “If we contribute $X a year to our kid’s Roth IRA, what will that actually be worth by the time they retire?” It’s a fair question — the numbers involved are large enough, and the time horizon long enough, that intuition alone doesn’t … Read more
Jennifer Walsh · July 15, 2026“Should we just put the money in a high-yield savings account instead?” I get this question from parents who’ve done some homework, noticed savings APYs above 4%, and started wondering whether a custodial Roth IRA is worth the extra paperwork. It’s a reasonable question — and the honest answer is that these two accounts aren’t … 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 · July 4, 2026
You opened a custodial Roth IRA when your child was young, contributed faithfully for years, and now there’s a milestone approaching: their 18th birthday. Parents ask me some version of this question constantly — “what actually happens to the account when my kid turns 18? Does the money just… become theirs?” The short answer: the … Read more
Jennifer Walsh · June 8, 2026
Account maintenance fees — Annual fees charged just for having the account open. These are the most important fees to eliminate, and all three major brokerages now charge $0. Trading commissions — Per-trade fees when buying or selling. Again, $0 at all major brokerages for stocks and ETFs. Fund expense ratios — The annual percentage … Read more
Jennifer Walsh · March 8, 2026
How to Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number): What Parents Should Know Family Employment • 4 min read When launching a small business, establishing an LLC, or preparing to compensate your children for legitimate business-related tasks, securing an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS is one of the first essential steps you’ll need to … Read more
Jennifer Walsh · February 19, 2026
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 the Best Custodial Roth IRA for 2026? If you are looking for low-cost custodial Roth IRA accounts for minors, every provider on this list charges $0 in annual fees … Read more
Jennifer Walsh · February 9, 2026
How to Set Your Kids Up for Financial Success Family Finance • 6 min read In previous decades, saving for your child was fairly straightforward. Often, family members gave kids government savings bonds, and parents or guardians may have opened a traditional savings account in their child’s name. Today, parents have significantly more options; what … Read more
Jennifer Walsh · January 30, 2026
Roth IRA for Kids: The Benefits & How to Open One Family Finance • 6 min read A Roth IRA is one of the best ways to save for retirement. Common knowledge suggests that the account’s primary purpose (retirement) means it is only suitable for adults who have retirement in sight. Think again. Yes, a … Read more