IRA types, comparisons, and foundational knowledge
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, 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 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
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 28, 2026
Single filers: You can contribute the full $7,000 if your MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) is below $150,000. The ability to contribute phases out between $150,000 and $165,000. Above $165,000, you cannot contribute directly at all. Married filing jointly: Full contribution below $236,000, phases out between $236,000 and $246,000, no direct contribution above $246,000. The … Read more
Jennifer Walsh · June 18, 2026
One of the most common questions I get is some version of this: “My kid earns money doing things around the house — can I pay them for that and then contribute to a Roth IRA for them?” It’s a genuinely important question, because the Roth IRA is an extraordinary wealth-building vehicle for young people, … Read more
Jennifer Walsh · April 19, 2026
I still remember 2007, when I was deep in the weeds of my own retirement account strategy and realized something that stuck with me. The advice circulating everywhere back then was to put everything into a traditional IRA for the upfront deduction, and almost nobody running that playbook had modelled it. Take a fairly ordinary … Read more
Jennifer Walsh · April 10, 2026
A few years ago, a surgeon came to me frustrated. She was earning just over $230,000 a year, had maxed out her 401(k), and kept hearing that she “made too much” to contribute to a Roth IRA. She assumed that door was permanently closed. It wasn’t. Within one meeting, we had a backdoor Roth IRA … Read more
Jennifer Walsh · March 11, 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 the Difference Between a Custodial IRA and a Traditional IRA? When comparing a custodial IRA vs traditional IRA, the most fundamental distinction is who can open one … 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