If you’re like most people, investing can feel a little overwhelming. There’s a lot to think about — from choosing the right investment options to figuring out how much money you should be putting aside each month. But what if there was an easier way to invest without all the stress? Well, that’s where savings apps come in.
Today, we have tools at our fingertips that make investing simpler, smarter, and even fun. Savings apps have evolved from just helping us save a few dollars here and there into full-fledged platforms that automate investments with minimal effort on our part. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just getting started, these apps can be a game changer for growing your wealth with ease. Let’s break down how you can use these apps to automate investments and set yourself up for long-term financial success.
What Are Savings Apps?
First things first — let’s quickly go over what savings apps are. In a nutshell, they’re mobile or web-based applications designed to help you save and invest money automatically. Think of them as your financial assistant. The best part is that many of these apps don’t require a lot of hands-on effort from you. Once you set up your account, they can automatically deposit funds into your investment accounts based on rules you set. Some apps even round up your everyday purchases and invest the spare change.
In other words, savings apps let you automate your savings and investments without you having to think too much about it. They can be a great tool for busy people who want to grow their wealth but don’t have the time or expertise to actively manage their investments.
The Benefits of Using Savings Apps for Investments
Before jumping into how to use them, let’s take a moment to talk about why you should consider using savings apps to automate your investments in the first place.
1. Automation Makes It Easy
Once set up, your savings app takes care of everything for you. No more manual transfers or worrying about missing a contribution. Automation can help you stay on track with your investment goals, no matter how busy life gets. You simply set it and forget it.
2. Invest With Small Amounts
You don’t have to be a millionaire to start investing. Many savings apps allow you to start investing with as little as $5 or $10. This makes it easy to start building wealth, even if you’re on a tight budget.
3. Fractional Shares
Not only do some savings apps let you invest small amounts, but they also allow you to buy fractional shares. This means you don’t need enough money to buy a whole share of expensive stocks like Amazon or Tesla. You can own a piece of those companies without spending hundreds of dollars.
4. Low Fees and No Minimums
Compared to traditional investment brokers, many savings apps have low or no fees, making them more accessible for newcomers. This is especially important if you’re just starting out, as high fees can eat into your returns over time.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Savings Apps for Automating Your Investments
Now, let’s dive into how you can get started with these apps to begin automating your investments. While each app has its unique features, the general process is fairly similar. Here’s a simple breakdown of the steps.
Step 1: Choose the Right App for You
The first step is to pick a savings app that fits your needs. There are several options to choose from, each offering a range of features. Some of the most popular savings and investment apps include:
- Acorns: Acorns automatically invests your spare change by rounding up your everyday purchases and putting the extra change into a diversified portfolio. It’s one of the most well-known options for people looking to start small and automate their savings.
- Stash: Stash allows you to automate investments in a way that fits your financial goals, whether you’re looking for retirement savings or short-term growth. Stash also offers a $5 minimum investment and a wide range of educational resources for beginners.
- Betterment: If you’re looking for a more hands-off investment strategy, Betterment provides robo-advisor services to automate your portfolio management. They use algorithms to allocate your investments based on your financial goals.
- Digit: Digit is primarily a savings app that automatically analyzes your spending habits and transfers small amounts of money into a savings account. It also integrates with investing accounts for automatic deposits.
Once you’ve chosen an app that works for you, you’ll need to download it, create an account, and link your bank account or debit card to make deposits.
Step 2: Set Your Savings and Investment Goals
After you’ve set up your account, the next step is to define your savings and investment goals. Do you want to invest for retirement? Are you saving for a down payment on a house? Or are you simply trying to build wealth over time?
Each app offers different ways to customize your goals. For example, some apps will ask about your risk tolerance (how much risk you’re willing to take on with your investments), and others will help you define short-term versus long-term financial goals. The more specific you are with your goals, the better the app can help tailor your investment strategy.
Step 3: Choose How Much to Invest
Most savings apps will allow you to choose a specific amount of money to invest automatically. This could be a fixed weekly or monthly amount, or it could be based on your round-up transactions. For example, if you spend $3.50 on a coffee, the app could round up your purchase to $4.00, investing the extra 50 cents.
Another popular option is to have the app automatically transfer a percentage of your income or any additional savings into your investment account. This is a great way to grow your investments without even thinking about it.
Step 4: Set It and Forget It
Once you’ve set everything up, you can pretty much sit back and relax. The beauty of these savings apps is that they automate the investment process for you. You don’t need to keep track of every single purchase or decide when to make an investment — the app does that for you.
Some apps even offer rebalancing of your investments automatically. This means they adjust your portfolio to ensure that it remains aligned with your financial goals and risk tolerance. You can check in on your investments from time to time, but the day-to-day management is done for you.
Step 5: Track Your Progress
Even though savings apps do the heavy lifting, it’s still important to track your progress. Most apps provide you with an easy-to-understand dashboard that shows you how your investments are performing. You’ll be able to see how your balance grows over time, and you can tweak your investment strategy if needed.
Many apps will also send you notifications or emails to remind you about important events, such as when you’ve reached a milestone or when it’s time to adjust your investments.
Tips for Maximizing Your Use of Savings Apps
To get the most out of your savings and investment apps, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Start Small: Don’t be intimidated by the thought of investing large sums of money. Start with small amounts, and gradually increase your contributions as you get more comfortable.
- Be Consistent: Automation works best when you’re consistent. Stick with your investment plan and let the app do its thing.
- Review Your Investments Regularly: While these apps are designed to be hands-off, it’s still important to periodically check on your investments. Look for opportunities to rebalance or adjust your contributions as your financial situation changes.
- Diversify: Many apps offer diversified investment portfolios, which is a great way to spread out risk. If you want to maximize your returns, it’s important to have a mix of investments, including stocks, bonds, and other assets.
- Keep Learning: Even though these apps automate much of the process, it’s still a good idea to educate yourself about investing. The more you understand about diversification, risk management, and investment strategies, the better decisions you’ll be able to make over time.
Wrapping Up
Automating your investments with savings apps is a great way to take the stress out of managing your finances. With minimal effort, you can build wealth, stay on track with your goals, and even grow your investments without constantly worrying about market fluctuations. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to optimize your current strategy, there’s an app that can help you automate and manage your investments — and the best part is that you don’t have to be an expert to get started. So, why not take the plunge and let technology help you grow your wealth, one automated investment at a time?