Stash Invest App: A Beginner's Guide To Getting Started

The Stash app is a top-rated personal finance app that offers an all-in-one solution for those looking to take control of their financial future. With its user-friendly interface, Stash makes investing easy and accessible to everyone, even those who are new to investing. The app provides a range of features such as automated savings and investing tools, expert-managed portfolios, and personalised guidance, all designed to help users build their savings faster and see their money grow. In addition, Stash offers educational content, diverse investment options, and banking features, making it a popular choice for those seeking guidance and flexibility in their financial journey.

Navigating the Stash app interface

The Stash app has a user-friendly interface, making it easy for beginners to start investing. Its intuitive interface helps users navigate through their investments without feeling overwhelmed. Here's a step-by-step guide to navigating the Stash app interface:

Onboarding and Account Setup:

When you first open the Stash app, you'll be guided through an onboarding process to set up your account. This typically includes providing personal information, such as your name, email address, and creating a password. You may also be asked about your investment goals and risk tolerance to customize your experience.

Dashboard Overview:

Once you've completed the signup process and logged in, you'll be taken to the dashboard, which provides an overview of your investment portfolio. Here, you can see your account balance, recent transactions, and the performance of your investments. The dashboard is designed to give you a snapshot of your financial progress and is customizable to some extent.

Navigation Menu:

The app's navigation menu is usually accessible through a hamburger icon or a bottom tab bar. From here, you can navigate to different sections of the app, including your portfolio, investment options, educational resources, and account settings. The menu is designed to be straightforward, making it easy to find the features you need.

Investing and Trading:

To invest or trade, look for an option labelled "Invest," "Trade," or "Marketplace" in the navigation menu. Here, you can browse through different investment options, including stocks, ETFs, and themed portfolios. The app may provide you with a watchlist or a search function to find specific investments. You can also set up recurring investments and automate your investing strategy.

Account Settings and Management:

In the account settings section, you can update your personal information, change your password, and manage your notifications and preferences. This is also where you can find information about fees, terms and conditions, and other legal disclosures. It's important to review these settings to ensure your account is tailored to your needs.

Educational Resources:

Stash provides educational content to help users make informed investment decisions. Look for a section labelled "Learn," "Education," or "Academy" in the navigation menu. Here, you'll find articles, videos, and tips on investing and personal finance. These resources are designed to empower you to make better financial choices.

By following these steps and familiarizing yourself with the app's interface, you'll be able to navigate the Stash app like a pro. Remember to explore the app thoroughly, as there may be additional features and tools to discover.

Understanding fractional shares

Fractional shares are a key feature of the Stash app, allowing users to invest in stocks and funds without having to purchase a whole share. This means you can invest in multiple companies with any amount of money, starting with as little as 1 cent (or 5 cents for investments over $1000 per share). This lowers the barrier to entry for many people, making investing more accessible.

Fractional shares work in the same way as whole shares. You buy and sell them like any other security, and they come with the same rights and disclosures. For example, if a company pays dividends to its shareholders, you will receive dividends proportional to your fractional share. These shares can be held in Stash's brokerage accounts, including Personal Portfolio, Retirement Accounts, and Custodial Accounts.

The benefit of fractional shares is that they give you more options and help you diversify your portfolio. You can invest in a variety of companies, choosing from over 3,800 stocks and ETFs, without the high cost of purchasing whole shares. This can also help you manage the ups and downs of the market by spreading your investments.

Fractional shares are also available through the Stash "Stock-Back" program. This program rewards debit cardholders with fractional shares of stock in the companies they shop at. For example, if you buy a coffee at Starbucks, you can earn Starbucks stock. This innovative feature further promotes the accessibility of investing and helps users become shareholders in their favourite brands.

Accessing educational content

Stash is a beginner-friendly investment app that provides a wealth of educational resources to help users learn about investing and personal finance. The app offers a range of tools and features to help users make informed investment decisions and improve their financial literacy.

Stash Learn is the app's dedicated educational platform, offering a variety of articles, videos, and tips to guide users on their investment journey. Within Stash Learn, users can access:

• A Quick Guide: This provides a comprehensive overview of the app and its features, helping new users get started on the right foot.
• Investment Theme Details: Stash offers "Themes," or ETFs, that allow users to invest in specific industries or concepts. Stash Learn provides detailed information about each of these themes, enabling users to make informed decisions about their investments.
• Personal Finance Articles: In addition to investment guidance, Stash Learn also covers a range of personal finance topics. Users can find valuable insights and advice on budgeting, money management, and other financial topics to help them make the most of their money.

Exclusive webinars and content are also available within the app, providing users with guidance on investing, saving, and money management. These webinars are led by experts and offer a more interactive learning experience.

Additionally, Stash offers "Financial Counseling Advice" in the form of guides and educational materials. While this is not tailored advice from a financial professional, it provides valuable insights and strategies for users to consider.

Stash is committed to making investing accessible and providing the tools and knowledge needed to help users make informed decisions. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive educational content, Stash empowers users to take control of their financial future.

Setting up auto-invest features

Setting Up Auto-Invest:

• Log in to your Stash app.
• Navigate to the Ways to Invest section and tap "Manage auto-invest."
• Choose the auto-invest schedule you wish to modify.
• To change the amount, funding source, or next transfer date, simply tap on the respective field and make your desired adjustments.
• If you need to pause your auto-invest, tap the three dots in the upper-right corner, select "Pause," and then choose the next date for processing.
• For pauses longer than 60 days, tap "Pause for longer" and follow the prompts.

Additional Customisations:

The Stash app also allows you to customise your auto-invest settings further:

• You can change the frequency of your auto-investments.
• Modify the next auto-invest date to align with your financial goals.
• Select or change the funding source for your auto-investments.
• If needed, you can also pause or cancel your auto-invest at any time.

Auto-Invest Limitations:

It's important to note that Stash has a limit of 500 auto-invest allocations to prevent potential errors. If you want to add new investments, you'll need to reduce the number of existing ones. This can be done by accessing the Recurring Transactions section and making the necessary adjustments.

Withdrawing money from Stash

The Stash app offers a straightforward way to withdraw money, giving you access to your funds when needed. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to withdraw money from Stash:

Steps to Withdraw Money from the Stash App:

• Login to Your Stash Account: Start by accessing your Stash account either through the mobile app or by logging into the Stash website.
• Select the Transfer Option: On the app, tap "Transfer" at the bottom of the screen. If you're using the website, look for the "Transfer" or "Accounts" option to initiate the process.
• Choose the Accounts: Select the account from which you want to withdraw funds. You can choose between your Stash portfolio, Smart Portfolio, or any other specific account.
• Select Your Withdrawal Destination: Decide whether you want to transfer funds to your Stash banking account or an external bank account.
• Enter the Withdrawal Amount: Input the amount you wish to withdraw. You can choose to withdraw a partial amount or the full balance.
• Review and Confirm: Double-check the details of your transaction, including the amount and the destination account. On the app, tap Continue and then Transfer. On the website, click Confirm and then Make Transfer.

Important Considerations:

• Timing: When you transfer money out of Stash, it will be immediately debited from your Stash account. However, it may take up to three to five business days for the funds to appear in your external bank account. This timing depends on how quickly your bank processes ACH transfers.
• Investment Sales: If you are withdrawing invested funds, you will first need to sell those investments. Additionally, funds from investment sales typically take one to two business days to settle before they can be transferred.
• Deposit Holds: Stash may hold recent deposits for up to five business days to protect against fraud. Your deposited funds will be available for withdrawal within six business days.
• Referral and Promotional Funds: Any referral or promotional funds in your Stash account must remain there for 90 calendar days before they can be withdrawn.
• Auto-Stash: If you have Auto-Stash enabled, remember to turn it off before initiating a withdrawal to avoid automatic investments during the process.
• Customer Support: For Retirement and Custodial accounts, which have special restrictions on transfers, you can contact Stash's customer service team for assistance. They can be reached by phone or email during regular business hours.

Frequently asked questions