How Long Does It Take Stash To Deposit Money

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Stash is a budgeting app wrapped up in an investment account. The mobile app is geared toward beginning investors looking for an easy way to buy stocks and other investments. Stash customers also have access to banking and budgeting tools. This Stash review looks at how Stash works, to help you determine if it's worth the investment.

With more than 337,600 ratings on the App Store (where it's ranked #29 in Finance) and Google Play, Stash earns a spot on Forbes Advisors' Best Budgeting Apps Of 2021 and has established a solid user base and reputation.

Mobile apps such as Stash can provide great tools both for tracking your budget and for managing your investments. Account details and fees are accurate as of Oct. 31, 2021.

Stash and Your Budget

At first glance, Stash looks like any other investment app. Hidden within the app, though, are budgeting tools and features to help investors manage funds and build savings.

All Stash accounts come with a bank account serviced by Green Dot Bank. The bank account has no minimum balance requirements, no overdraft fees and no monthly services fees. It also includes other features like early direct deposit access (up to two days early) and recurring automatic transfers. Stash users also have access to 19,000+ fee-free ATMS across the U.S. and cash deposits at retail locations at participating CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens stores.

Stash doesn't offer the robust budgeting features found with many other budgeting apps. Within the banking portion of Stash, you can set savings goals and automate savings to fund those goals. Users can track spending with Stash, too, which will help you understand your expenses better and provide guidance when planning your monthly budget.

Security

When using any financial app, you want to know that your money and personal information are safe. Stash uses the latest security measures to protect its customers, including 256-bit encryption, biometric authentication and other cutting-edge technologies.

You also need to think about security whenever you bank or invest. Deposits to Stash bank accounts are FDIC insured up to the legal limits through a partnership with Green Dot Bank. Investments with Stash are protected up to $500,000 through partner company Apex Clearing Corporation.

Pricing

Stash offers three account levels for various investing, budgeting and banking needs. Stash Beginner is an entry-level account with basic banking, budgeting and investing features. Stash Growth adds access to Stash Smart Portfolios and retirement IRA accounts. Stash's premium account option is Stash+, which comes with all of the features from the Growth account plus access to custodial accounts for children and Stock-Back Card rewards and exclusive bonuses.

Stash doesn't charge commissions on stock trades within the app. You may be charged account maintenance fees outside of monthly fees from time to time by Apex Clearing, Stash's custodian.

Other App Tools

Much of Stash's functionality is tied up in its investing features. Through Stash, you can invest in individual stocks and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), including themed ETFs like Public Works and Clean & Green. Investments start at just $5. Stash also lets you buy fractional shares of stocks, a feature becoming more popular among investing apps. If you want to invest in Amazon or Apple, for example, you can buy a portion of a share at a lower cost.

Another way that Stash helps you invest money is through its automatic investing tools. You can choose to have your Stock-Back Card purchases rounded up, with that amount set aside for investing. When you reach $5 in round-ups, it's automatically moved to your investment portfolio. You also can set your Stash bank account to transfer funds automatically each month into your Stash investment account.

Stash offers unlimited trading with no add-on commission fees. The app even analyzes your portfolio and makes investment recommendations.

Distinguishing Features

Another perk of using Stash is the Stash Stock-Back program, which rewards users as they spend money. All qualifying purchases made with your Stash debit card earn a percentage back in stock. If you make purchases at retailers within Stash's investing platform, you'll automatically earn a percentage back of that company's stock. For other purchases, you'll get a percentage back in a Stash-approved ETF.

Access and Ratings

Stash is available for iOS and Android users. The mobile app earns 4.7 stars out of 5 on the App Store and 4.1 stars out of 5 on Google Play.

Pros

Automatic savings and investing tools
Offers fractional shares
Earn bonus stocks through debit card purchases
Low minimum investment requirement
Educational content included with the app

Cons

High monthly fees for premium versions
High expense ratios on ETFs
No wealth management services

How Stash Stacks Up

Stash offers a wide variety of features, but most of them are related to investing. Its budgeting features don't match those of other top budgeting apps. However, if you're looking for investing, banking and budgeting tools in one place, few apps compare to Stash. Because there's a monthly fee to use Stash, take time to analyze the app's cost against investing fees charged by brokerage firms. With Stash, you also get access to a bank account and debit card, but you may end up paying more to invest than you would elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Stash a legit app?

Yes, Stash is an app that provides a lower barrier to entry for individuals who want to start investing. The app also comes with a bank account backed by Green Dot Bank. Stash is a registered investment advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Can you make money with Stash?

Yes, Stash lets you invest in stocks and ETFs, similar to any brokerage firm, but without the minimum requirements. As with any investment account, you can make or lose money based on the risk level of your investments.

What bank does Stash use?

Stash partners with Green Dot Bank for all of its banking services, including the Stash Visa Debit card and Stash bank account. Deposits into your Stash bank account are FDIC insured up to the legal limits through Green Dot Bank.

What are the key components of a basic budget?

Effective budgeting is a process that underlies all the other spending, saving and investing decisions you make. To determine how much you can risk in the market, it's important to understand your monthly cash flow, so that you can achieve the financial goals you've set.

How important are good budgeting habits?

Creating a household budget is a decent start, but what really matters is living your budget, not only planning it. Both your mindset and your habits are important when it comes to how well your budgeting efforts serve your goals. The right app can reinforce good money habits and help you correct any bad ones.