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Ages 11–18Stage 4 of 11
Tweens & Teens
First Earnings & Credit
Navigate first jobs, custodial brokerage accounts, credit building, and early tax filing.
Building Real Financial Skills
Custodial Brokerage Accounts (UGMA/UTMA)
Open a custodial account and help your teen buy their first fractional shares. Index funds are a great start — they learn about markets, dividends, and long-term growth firsthand.
Build Credit as an Authorized User
Adding your teen to your oldest credit card (with a good payment history) instantly gives them a credit score. By 18, they could have a 750+ score without ever applying for their own card.
First Job & Tax Filing
When they get their first W-2 job, walk them through a tax return. If they have earned income, open a Custodial Roth IRA — dollars invested at 16 could grow 50x by retirement.
Entrepreneurial Side Hustles
Encourage monetizing hobbies: tutoring, lawn care, baking, reselling, or freelance design. This teaches pricing, customer service, and basic business accounting.
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