Opening a custodial brokerage account can usually be done in just a few minutes and entirely online. Here are some of the things to know before you get started.

A brokerage account allows you to buy and sell securities such as stocks, bonds and ETFs. Generally, opening a brokerage account makes sense once you’ve saved for an emergency fund and maximized ...

A brokerage account allows you to manage your own investments, rather than relying on a stockbroker, whether you’re saving for your child’s education, using your investments to save for retirement, or ...

Whether you are completely self-sufficient or you are new to investing, before you dive in you’ll need a brokerage account. You may want help from an online broker with no commissions or opt for a ...

Capital at risk. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. If you want to buy and sell investments online, you can set up a brokerage account with an ...

Matt is a Certified Financial Planner™ and investment advisor based in Columbia, South Carolina. He writes personal finance and investment advice for Motley Fool Money and its parent company The ...