DISCLOSURE: THIS POST CONTAINS REFERRAL LINKS, MEANING I GET A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE USE OF MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU. SEE DISCLAIMER PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

If you’ve never invested before, it may feel quite intimidating to get started. Maybe you don’t feel like you know enough to start. Or maybe you feel you need to have a ton of extra money to get started. Or perhaps you feel that investing is just not for people like you. All these are limiting beliefs – things we tell ourselves to avoid doing the thing we know we need to do. Stash* is a great app for beginners because it doesn’t require a lot of money to start, it teaches you about investing while you’re doing it, and it’s for everyone (IMO).

Is Investing with Stash Worth It?

If you have never invested before, Stash is a great start. Stash* offers three plans, starting at $3/month. You can open a personal portfolio with two tiers: Stash Growth and Stash Plus. 

With Growth and Plus tiers, you can open a Smart Portfolio, where Stash manages your investments for you. They have a questionnaire where they determine the mix they feel is right for you.

How to Start Investing with Stash

Once you choose which account you want, you can start by investing as little as $1. They’ll ask you how often you want to deposit into the investment account. Automating can keep you consistent and is part of being a successful investor.

READ MORE: How To Create A Routine To Get Results You Want

What do You Invest In?

Stash* allows you to invest in ETFs and stocks. ETFs are exchange-traded funds. They are groups of securities that are sold together that track an index but trade like a stock. If you’re automating your investing, this detail doesn’t mean too much so if it doesn’t make sense to you, you can forget I even said it.

The benefit of investing in an ETF is similar to when you invest in an index mutual fund. You don’t have to pick a winning stock. For example, Stash has an ETF they named American Innovators. The ticker on the market is VGT. It includes stocks like Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Visa, Adobe, Mastercard, etc. So you get a little bit of everything when you purchase VGT, instead of just choosing one or the other.

READ MORE: How to Invest – What You Need to Know About Using Mutual Funds

Stash* also gives you the option to invest in individual stocks. But this article will focus on ETFs. Stash gives each fund a relatable name and a description. If we use the example from earlier, the ticker is VGT which means nothing to most of us. 

However, Stash gives it the name American Innovators and gives a short description telling you that you’re investing “in tech companies that are changing the world, like Apple, Google, and Facebook”. It also tells you its official name is Vanguard Information Technology and “covers electronics, software, hardware, and IT companies”. That can you more confident that you know what you’re investing in?

So you can choose a few funds that pique your interest and invest consistently.

Should You Invest with Stash?

If you are a beginner who has never invested before or knows very little about investing, I think Stash* is perfect for you. They send regular emails teaching you about and getting you comfortable with investing. It also encourages long-term investing. Long-term investing is a well-known wealth-building tool. Before you know it, you’ll see significant growth in your portfolio.

Another fun feature of Stash is that they have weekly, or sometimes more often, Stash Stock Parties. You just sign in and claim a free partial stock.

Why I Invest with Stash

I started investing with Stash* in August of 2017. I was just starting to get interested in personal finance and becoming an educated investor.

Whether you choose to invest with Stash* or another provider, the important thing is that you get started. And as soon as possible. Don’t delay because with every day that passes, you are missing out on potential growth. If you’re interested in investing with Stash*, then get started today (click HERE to create your account). Let me know if you enjoy it as much as I do. Happy investing!

READ MORE: Why Invest in the Stock Market Today?

Disclosures:

Paid client testimonial. See Apple App Store and Google Play reviews. View important disclosures.

Nothing in this material should be construed as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any security. All investments are subject to risk and may lose value.

Stash Subscription fee starts at $3/ month. You’ll also bear the standard fees and expenses reflected in the pricing of the ETFs in your account, plus fees for various ancillary services charged by Stash and the Custodian. Please see the Advisory Agreement for details. Other fees apply to the bank account. Please see the Deposit Account Agreement.

A “Smart Portfolio” is a Discretionary Managed account whereby Stash has full authority to manage. “Smart” is only available in Growth ($3) and/or premium ($9). 

A “Personal Portfolio:” You can choose your own investments only in a “Personal Portfolio” which is a Non-Discretionary Managed account.

Fractional shares start at $0.05 for investments that cost $1,000+ per share.

Originally published in September 2020, this post has been updated by Prisca Benson.