Acorns

Overview

Acorns helps you grow your money, take control with all-in-one investment, retirement, checking and more. Their mission is to look after the financial best interests of the up-and-coming, beginning with the empowering step of micro-investing. Invest spare change automatically, set aside money from each paycheck, earn more, and get money tips on the go. Your money is invested in smart portfolios designed by experts, that adjust automatically as you and your money grow.

Why Invest

• Hands-off investing.
• Become a better investor with round ups and recurring deposits.
• Start an investment account on Acorns for your kids.

How you make money

Through Acorns, you are able to earn a return through stock price appreciation and dividends. There are multiple ways to save on Acorns beside the standard investing package. You can save for retirement through Acorns Later, earn bonuses through Acorns Spend checking account, and save for your kids through Acorns Early. Although you don’t see it in your bank account, you are also fighting climate change as Acorns plants thousands of trees each year. 

For reference: according to historical records, the average annual return from the S&P Index since its inception in 1926 through 2018 is approximately 10%–11%. The average annual return since adopting 500 stocks into the index in 1957 through 2018 is roughly 8%. Adjusted for inflation, the historical average annual return is around 7%. However, it's important to note that each Robo has their own investment strategy that can influence returns.

How Acorns makes money

Acorns is a private company and makes its money through member fees. Acorns charges $1 per month for their lite package, $3 per month for the standard package, and $5 per month for the family package. Acorns also receives interest on loaning money that sits in your Acorns Spend account.

Is it Safe?

Acorns has been in operation since 2012 and is estimated to have over 8 million users with assets under management totaling around $3 billion. Acorns diversifies your investments across several large, reliable ETFs. This allows for exposure to a diversified portfolio without taking on the risk of owning individual stocks. Brokerage services are provided to clients of Acorns Advisers by Acorns Securities, LLC, an SEC registered broker-dealer and member FINRA. Member of SIPC. Securities in your account protected up to $500,000.