Kerra Bolton

Sat, Jun 14, 2025, 4:00 AM4 min read

Gen Z may be decades away from retirement, but the steps they take today can significantly impact their future financial freedom.

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With time on their side, small, smart investments can now compound into significant returns later. Whether it’s spending $100 on a one-time financial consult, a subscription to a savvy budgeting app or even investing in a starter index fund, the key is starting early and wisely.

Here’s the best $100 Gen Z can spend on retirement planning.

Budgeting apps and robo-advisors can turn passive habits into active wealth-building strategies. For Gen Z, investing a small fee in the right tool can lead to consistent savings, long-term growth and financial stability.

“Paid tools can be worthwhile when they nudge you into better habits or automate tasks you’d otherwise skip,” said Lily Vittayarukskul, CEO and co-founder of Waterlily.

Vittayarukskul said budgeting apps like YNAB come with a small subscription cost, but can help users become more deliberate with their spending. Meanwhile, robo-advisors like Betterment and Wealthfront offer automated investing services for a low annual fee. This approach appeals to around 40% of Gen Z investors who prefer a hands-off approach.

“The price tag is usually minor compared to the value of disciplined saving and diversified investing they facilitate,” Vittayarukskul said. “I personally use Copilot, and I like that the finally added savings goals last month, but I think that most of the options out there have become very comprehensive and user friendly.”

She added, “Just make sure any app you pay for truly gets you to invest and track your spending in a way that is compounding your wealth and taking care of any high interest debts.”

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Gen Z can skip the hype and spend $100 opening an account with a reputable brokerage that offers diversified, long-term investment options.

“The biggest mistakes I see younger adults making when trying to get ahead financially are listening to the wrong people and chasing outsized returns,” said Tyler End, a certified financial planner and CEO of Retirable.

Starting with a solid, low-cost platform keeps new investors focused on sustainable growth without the distractions of viral trends or high-risk bets. Some examples include:

• Fidelity: No minimum investment for many accounts, zero-commission trades and strong educational tools. Offers Roth IRAs and index funds with no expense ratio.

• Vanguard: Known for low-cost index funds and long-term investing. Best suited for those who prefer a simple, set-it-and-forget-it approach.

• Charles Schwab: $0 account minimums, a wide range of low-fee ETFs and mutual funds, and solid customer support.