Which Accounts Should I Draw From In Retirement? (Rapid Fire Q&A)

Oct 1, 2025

Get ready for a fast-paced Q&A with hot topics that matter! Learn the smart order to draw from various retirement accounts. Find out why maxing a Solo Roth 401(k) might be your best bet. Discover strategies for tackling $117,000 in student loans with automation and discipline. Plus, gain insights on the pros and cons of high-fee mutual funds versus low-fee ETFs. Should a 19-year-old start building credit? Andrew has the answer! And don't miss his tips on passing a brokerage account to your kids without tax headaches.

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ADVICE

Kids' Roth IRA Needs Earned Income

You cannot open a Roth IRA for a child unless they have earned income; contributions must equal their earned work.
Use a custodial brokerage or 529 for kids now; consider a custodial Roth once they earn income.

ADVICE

Build Credit Early And Safely

Start building credit early using a secured beginner card and pay balances in full monthly.
Alternatively become an authorized user on a responsible parent's card to build history.

ADVICE

Ditch High-Fee Mutual Funds

Avoid high-fee mutual funds when low-fee ETFs or index funds deliver similar returns.
Fees and tax inefficiency erode long-term returns so prefer low-cost, tax-efficient ETFs unless a fund clearly outperforms after fees and taxes.

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In this episode of The Personal Finance Podcast, Andrew answers 15 listener questions ranging from Solo Roth 401k strategies and crushing $117,000 in student loans to whether a 19-year-old should build credit and how to pass brokerage accounts to your kids without tax headaches. He covers retirement account drawdowns, traditional versus Roth decisions based on tax brackets, why high-fee mutual funds usually lose to ETFs, and whether you should sell when investments jump 15%—delivering straight answers to the money questions keeping you up at night.

Today we are going to answer these questions!

Solo ROTH 401K: should I max out ROTH employee side before employer pre-tax side? Or split?
How long can I leave my 401k in Fidelity before needing to roll it over to a new employer’s plan?If I haven’t maxed out my Roth IRA, would it still make sense to open a brokerage account?
I’ve maxed out my IRA for the past 3 years. Should I contribute more to my 457B?
How can I pay off $117k of high interest student loan debt and stay motivated?
Should I start a Roth IRA for my grandkids now or start them an index fund? They’re 5.
I’m 19 with $20k+ invested, should I start building credit?
I have 2 investments — mutual fund (high fee), ETF (low fee). Both high return, should I stop the mutual?
How should I go about drawing down accounts when I begin retirement?
At age 30, approx what income does it make sense to invest in traditional vs Roth 401k?
Should I “lock profit” every time my ROI hits >15%? Or should I leave it? (Reinvesting will 3% fee)
How do you pass on a taxable brokerage account to your son?
We’re coast FI. Should I just do 401k until employer match and add to brokerage as a bridge?Why money market over HYSA for high yield earners?

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