
Wealthfront's Automated Savings feature is a game-changer for anyone looking to build a safety net or achieve long-term financial goals.
With Wealthfront, you can set up a separate savings account that automatically transfers funds from your checking account on a regular schedule. This way, you'll never have to think about saving again.
The feature allows you to set a savings goal, such as a emergency fund or a down payment on a house, and Wealthfront will help you get there.
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What Is Wealthfront Automated Savings?
Wealthfront's Automated Savings feature helps you save money automatically by setting aside a portion of your income into a dedicated savings account.
It's essentially a separate account that's linked to your main account, making it easy to transfer funds without having to think about it.
Wealthfront's algorithm will automatically transfer a fixed amount of money from your main account to your savings account at regular intervals, such as monthly or biweekly.
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This way, you can save for specific goals, like a down payment on a house, a vacation, or a big purchase, without having to manually transfer funds.
The Automated Savings feature also allows you to set a target savings amount and a time frame for reaching that goal.
By doing so, you can create a plan to save for your goals and make progress towards achieving them.
For example, if you want to save $10,000 for a down payment on a house in 2 years, Wealthfront's algorithm will help you determine how much to save each month to reach your goal.
This feature is designed to make saving easier and more manageable, so you can focus on your financial goals without having to worry about the details.
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Key Features and Benefits
Automating your savings can be a game-changer, and Wealthfront makes it easy. Nearly half of Americans say their monthly spending has dropped over the past year, and 46% consider themselves "more of a saver now" than before the pandemic.
You can automate your savings by enrolling in your employer's tax-advantaged retirement plan, such as a 401(k) or 403(b) plan. This encourages you to prioritize savings and reduces the likelihood of spending funds on a whim.
Wealthfront's automated savings feature allows you to choose which account to monitor, set a desired balance, and sweep excess cash to a designated account.
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Benefits of the
The Wealthfront Cash Account offers a 4.50% APY, a significantly higher rate than the average bank account interest rate of 0.07% APY.
Automating your savings can encourage you to prioritize savings and reduce the likelihood of spending funds on impulse. Nearly half of Americans say their monthly spending has dropped over the past year, and 46% consider themselves "more of a saver now" than they were before the pandemic.
You can set up automatic savings with retirement funds through your employer's tax-advantaged retirement plan, such as a 401(k) or 403(b) plan. Apps like Acorns, Capital OneCOF 360, Digit, and Dobot also make it easy to set up automatic savings.
The Wealthfront Cash Account allows customers to direct excess cash to multiple accounts, such as a retirement account, a taxable investment account, or a 529 plan. This flexibility can help you prioritize your savings goals.
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FDIC Insurance Up to $8M

The Wealthfront Cash Account offers a game-changing benefit when it comes to FDIC insurance. You can get up to $8 million in FDIC insurance, or $16 million for joint accounts.
This is a huge advantage over traditional savings accounts, which typically offer up to $250,000 in FDIC insurance. Wealthfront achieves this by sweeping your deposits to multiple FDIC-insured partner banks, keeping your deposits below the $250,000 threshold at each bank.
Wealthfront's unique approach allows you to benefit from more FDIC insurance without having to deal with multiple banks. This means you can have peace of mind knowing your money is protected up to $8 million.
You can see the full list of Wealthfront's partner banks, which undergo regular risk assessments to ensure they remain in the program. This gives you added security and confidence in your financial decisions.
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Pros and Cons
The Wealthfront Cash Account offers a range of benefits that make it an attractive option for those looking to automate their savings.
You can earn a high APY of 4.50% or 5.00% for new customers, which is significantly higher than the national average of 0.42%.
Wealthfront doesn't charge any maintenance, withdrawal or other fees on this account, though there is a $1 minimum opening deposit.
The account offers early direct deposit, allowing you to access your paycheck up to two days earlier than your regular payday.
You can also use the optional debit card to make purchases and withdraw cash from more than 19,000 ATMs for free.
Wealthfront's FDIC coverage is up to $8 million through affiliated partner banks, providing an added layer of security for your funds.
Here are some of the key benefits of the Wealthfront Cash Account:
- FDIC-insured account
- Earn 4.50% or 5.00% APY
- Receive your paycheck up to two days early
- Same-day transfers to external bank accounts
- Debit card for purchases and cash withdrawals
- FDIC coverage up to $8 million
The account also offers free same-day withdrawals, as long as you initiate the transfer by 6 p.m. PT, and can be linked to peer-to-peer money transfer apps such as Venmo, Cash App and PayPal.
User Experience and Accessibility
Wealthfront's accessibility is similar to that of online banks, making it easy to access your funds from anywhere in the United States. This is because Wealthfront is an online service, allowing you to manage your account through your computer or mobile phone.
You can't bank in person with Wealthfront, as it doesn't have any in-person branches. This means depositing cash can be a bit more complicated.
The Wealthfront website is well-designed and easy to navigate, with clear information about different account offerings and FAQs. Both Apple and Android users give the Wealthfront app high ratings.
Wealthfront has extended weekday hours for phone support, but it doesn't offer live phone support on weekends. There is no online chat support, so you'll need to rely on email or phone support for any issues.
One of the best features of the Wealthfront Cash Account is its ease of use, allowing you to make ACH transfers and real-time payment withdrawals for free.
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Alternatives and Comparison
If you're considering Wealthfront's automated savings, you might also want to look into other options like Acorns, which offers a similar robo-advisory service for a lower minimum balance requirement of just $5.
Wealthfront's fees, at 0.25% of your portfolio annually, are also lower than some of its competitors. For example, Betterment charges 0.40% per year, while Schwab Intelligent Portfolios has no management fees, but may have other costs.
Ultimately, the choice between Wealthfront and other automated savings options will depend on your individual financial goals and preferences.
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Alternatives
If you're not satisfied with the options provided by Marcus by Goldman Sachs, there are other alternatives to consider. One option is Wealthfront, which offers a checking account feature that Marcus lacks.
Wealthfront also offers a higher savings rate than Marcus by Goldman Sachs.
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Ally
Ally offers a range of bank accounts, including checking, high-yield savings, money market, and CDs. They have a more extensive selection of accounts compared to Wealthfront.
Ally doesn't charge out-of-network ATM fees, and they'll even refund up to $10 per month if you're charged by the ATM issuer.
Their savings rate is lower than Wealthfront's, so if earning a high rate is your top priority, Wealthfront might be the better choice.
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How It Works and Features
You can set up Autopilot in just a few easy steps, starting with choosing an account to monitor, such as a checking account or your Wealthfront Cash Account.
To get started, you'll need to set a maximum balance for that account, which is more than the amount you spend or withdraw each month. This ensures that Autopilot only transfers excess cash when you have a surplus.
Autopilot is smart enough to adjust the size and timing of your transfers to reflect changes in your account balance over time. You're always in complete control, and you can cancel the transfer before it happens if you need to.
Here's a quick rundown of the Autopilot process:
- Choose an account to monitor.
- Set a maximum balance for that account.
- Autopilot will schedule a transfer of excess cash to your Wealthfront account of choice.
You can even use Autopilot in tandem with recurring transfers to make sure any excess cash gets put to work. This way, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your money will be put to work automatically.
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Opening

Opening a Wealthfront Cash Account is a straightforward process that can be completed online in just a few minutes.
You'll need to provide some personal information, such as your social security number or a government ID, to get started.
The website will guide you through the process with a series of questions, making it easy to follow along and stay on track.
A Step Towards Self-Driving Money
Autopilot takes care of the details so you can focus on the big picture. It's like having a meticulous assistant that helps you manage your finances with ease.
To get started with Autopilot, you'll need to choose an account to monitor, such as a checking account or your Wealthfront Cash Account. You'll also need to set a maximum balance for that account, which should be more than the amount you spend or withdraw each month.
Here are the steps to set up Autopilot:
- Choose an account to monitor.
- Set a maximum balance.
- Autopilot will schedule a transfer of your excess cash to your Wealthfront account of choice.
You're the ultimate decision-maker, and you always have 24 hours to cancel the transfer before it happens. Autopilot is smart enough to maintain the cash you need and only transfer the excess, so you don't have to worry about overdrafting.

Automating your savings has multiple benefits, including encouraging you to prioritize savings and reducing the possibility of spending on a whim. In fact, nearly half of respondents to a recent survey say their monthly spending has dropped over the past year, and 46% profess to be "more of a saver now" than they were before the pandemic.
With Autopilot, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your money will be put to work automatically. You can feel confident that you're holding enough cash to meet your monthly needs, and Autopilot will adjust the size and timing of your transfers to reflect changes in your account balance over time.
Sources
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/banking/wealthfront-cash-account-review
- https://www.wealthfront.com/blog/wealthfront-cash-account-vs-savings-accounts/
- https://www.wealthfront.com/blog/meet-autopilot-a-new-service-that-automates-your-savings-strategy/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/p/reviews/banking/wealthfront-cash-review
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/cherylwinokurmunk/2020/09/02/wealthfront-automates-savings-for-users/
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