I’m a Conviction Investor—But Here’s Why I Still Recommend Robo-Investing with Acorns
- Silivere Bakomeza
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Written by Silivere Bakomeza, Founder of BakoInvest
I’ve publicly bet my retirement on one stock—MicroStrategy ($MSTR).
Every single weekday, I invest $50 into it. No guesswork. No distractions. Just quiet conviction over 20 years.
It’s not about chasing hype. It’s not about looking smart.
It’s about believing in one long-term thesis—and sticking to it with discipline most people don’t have.
But here’s what might surprise you:
Even as a focused, high-conviction investor…
I still respect robo-investing.
In fact, I still recommend it—especially to people who want to build wealth without obsessing over markets.
And that’s where Acorns comes in.
Why Simplicity Still Wins
Most people aren’t looking to become professional investors.
They’re not trying to master technical analysis, track Bitcoin cycles, or time the Fed.
They just want one thing: financial freedom.
And they want a system that helps them get there without burning them out.
The world of investing is loud. Everyone’s yelling:
“Diversify or die.”
“Buy the dip.”
“Forget stocks—get into real estate!”
“No! It’s all about crypto now!”
It’s exhausting. And it’s a big reason why most people either never start investing—or quit halfway through.
That’s where robo-investing, and tools like Acorns, become valuable.
They remove the noise, simplify the process, and build wealth in the background while you live your life.
What is Acorns?
Acorns is a robo-advisor—but it’s more than just a passive investing tool.
It’s a fully automated wealth-building system designed for real people, not financial nerds.
Here’s what it actually does:
1. Round-Up Investing
Every time you swipe your debit or credit card, Acorns rounds up the transaction to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change.
Spend $3.25 on coffee?
It’ll round up $0.75 and put it straight into your investment account.
2. Smart Portfolio Based on You
Acorns asks you a few quick questions about your goals, age, income, and risk tolerance. Then it builds a custom ETF portfolio tailored to your situation.
You don’t have to pick anything.
The math is already done.
3. Automatic Rebalancing & Reinvesting
Your portfolio stays balanced over time. If the stock market drops or one asset class grows too big, Acorns quietly adjusts it back to your plan.
Dividends are also reinvested automatically.
4. Multiple Account Options
Acorns offers more than just an investing account.
You can also open:
Acorns Later (IRA) – for retirement
Acorns Early – investment accounts for kids
Acorns Checking – with a physical debit card
Found Money – cashback from partner brands when you shop
So it’s not just investing. It’s an ecosystem.
How Investing Spare Change Speeds Up Your Wealth
One of the most underrated features of Acorns is also one of the most powerful: round-up investing.
You might think saving 25 cents here or 40 cents there doesn’t matter. But it does.
Because it’s not just about the cents—it’s about the habit.
It turns everyday spending into wealth-building without friction.
Over time, your spare change adds up.
A few dollars invested every day
Hundreds over the months
Thousands over the years
All without you feeling the pain of pulling money from your bank account.
It’s sneaky-smart—and incredibly effective.
I’ve been using Acorns for a while, and it’s one of those accounts I quietly appreciate more as time goes on.
It’s clean, automatic, hustle-free—and it just works.
Especially Powerful if You Have Kids
If you’re a parent (or plan to be), this is an easy way to start building something for your children now—without needing to open a full trust or pick the next unicorn stock.
Acorns even offers a feature called Acorns Early, which lets you invest for your kids automatically.
You can:
Set it and forget it
Start small
Let time and consistency do the work
This kind of passive growth is something I wish more people did early—because it’s one of the simplest gifts you can give your future self and your family.
Why I Still Recommend It—Even with a Conviction Strategy
Let me be clear: I invest in one stock with total focus and intention.
But that doesn’t mean everyone should.
Because here’s the truth:
Most people don’t want to be stock-pickers.
They want a system that:
Doesn’t require constant monitoring
Fits their schedule
Doesn’t stress them out
Still helps them retire with dignity
Acorns is that system.
Even if you’re someone who wants to pick stocks one day, Acorns is a great starting point while you’re still learning.
And if you never want to pick stocks? That’s fine. You’ll still build wealth automatically.
Pros and Cons of Using a Robo-Advisor Like Acorns
Let’s keep it real. Acorns isn’t magic—it’s a system.
Like all systems, it has strengths and weaknesses.
Pros:
Hands-Off Automation
Once you set it up, it handles everything behind the scenes.
Round-Ups Make Saving Invisible
You’ll be investing daily without even thinking about it.
Smart, Risk-Based Portfolios
You’re not guessing—Acorns builds a portfolio designed for you.
Mobile-Friendly and Intuitive
The app is smooth, modern, and beginner-proof.
Low Barrier to Entry
You can start investing with as little as a few dollars.
Access to IRAs and Kids’ Accounts
It grows with your life—retirement, family, etc.
Cons:
Monthly Fee ($3–$5)
It’s affordable, but it can eat into returns if you’re only investing small amounts.
No Stock Picking
If you want to own Tesla or Bitcoin directly, this isn’t the tool.
Limited Flexibility
You can’t customize your portfolio deeply—it’s based on your risk score.
No Active Trading or Charting Tools
This isn’t for market timers. It’s for long-term investors.
What Portfolios Does Acorns Offer?
Acorns creates your investment plan using one of five ETF-based portfolios, built on modern portfolio theory.
Each one contains a mix of U.S. stocks, international stocks, bonds, and sometimes real estate or emerging markets.
Here’s the breakdown:
1. Conservative Portfolio
Goal: Preserve capital
Mix: Mostly bonds, very few stocks
Who it’s for: Older investors, retirees, or very risk-averse individuals
2. Moderately Conservative Portfolio
Goal: Stability with modest growth
Mix: Balanced toward bonds, but a bit more stocks
Who it’s for: Cautious investors with some growth appetite
3. Moderate Portfolio
Goal: Balanced growth
Mix: Roughly 50% stocks / 50% bonds
Who it’s for: Investors with a medium time horizon and average risk tolerance
4. Moderately Aggressive Portfolio
Goal: Long-term growth with occasional volatility
Mix: More stocks, fewer bonds
Who it’s for: Younger or mid-career investors with 10–20+ year timeframes
5. Aggressive Portfolio
Goal: Maximize long-term growth
Mix: Mostly stocks, some international, very little bonds
Who it’s for: Younger investors or anyone who can handle short-term volatility for long-term gains
Why This Matters (Even if You Want to Pick Stocks Later)
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is trying to do too much, too fast.
Acorns gives you:
A foundation to start building wealth now
A passive system that removes emotion
The discipline you’ll need later if you do go the conviction route
That’s why I respect it.
Even as someone who puts every dollar of my public investing strategy into one stock—I still know there’s power in passive, steady growth.
My Advice to You?
Start somewhere.
If you’re not ready to research individual companies…
If you don’t want to watch charts or read market news…
If you just want your money to start working for you—use Acorns.
Then, as you learn and evolve, you can shift strategies.
Maybe you’ll do what I’m doing one day. Maybe not. But you’ll already be ahead—because you started.
Ready to Build Wealth on Autopilot?
It takes just a few minutes to set up—then it runs
Comments