What if the secret to growing your KiwiSaver wasn't about big, one-off contributions, but about the small change you barely notice? We're taught to invest with large sums, but this overlooks the quiet power of investing a little, every day.

When it comes to growing your savings, it’s not just about how much you put in, it’s how you do it. It’s often said that time in the market beats timing the market - i.e. staying invested for the long term is generally more effective (and realistic) than trying to jump in (or out) of the market to chase gains or avoid losses. Moving from one large investment when you can afford it to an everyday small amount you barely notice aligns with this philosophy.

Compounding: The magical snowball effect

Investing small amounts every day means your money starts working for you sooner, and keeps working for longer. That’s because of compounding: the magical snowball effect where your returns start earning returns, then your returns earn their own returns, and time becomes your most powerful ally.

Let’s say you invest $2.50 a day into your KiwiSaver. That adds up to over $900 a year, almost enough to unlock the full government contribution of $260.72 (if you're eligible) even if you contribute nothing else. But more than that, those daily $2.50s start compounding immediately, and should grow little by little, every single day.

In contrast, someone who adds $1,000 once a year only gets that compounding benefit once, and misses out on almost a year’s worth of growth each time.

When you invest a fixed amount frequently, say everyday, you end up buying more units when prices are low, and fewer when prices are high. Over time, this smooths out the bumps in the market and results in a lower average cost per unit than even if you had purchased the average price through the year… without the risk of getting the timing wrong.

In simple terms? By investing a little every day, you're more likely to beat the average price over that time period. That means your money goes further, and your KiwiSaver balance can grow more efficiently.

Automate your savings, outsmart yourself

Big, infrequent contributions rely on willpower. You have to remember to act, have the spare cash on hand when you remember, and overcome the friction of logging in, topping up, and transferring. Feijoa flips that around.

With Feijoa, every time you spend, whether it’s on a coffee, your groceries, or a special treat,  a small amount that you control is automatically rounded up and added to your KiwiSaver savings. Set it once, and forget it. It just happens in the background.

Over time, those small round-ups add up. Just like how a coffee habit can drain your wallet, a savings habit, no matter how small, builds it back up.

Got to be in to win

Research shows that if you miss just a few of the best-performing days for your investments, your long-term returns tank. For example, missing the 10 best days in the S&P 500 over 20 years can cut your returns in almost half.

These dramatic days in the markets usually occur unexpectedly, in times of high volatility where prices are fluctuating up and down rapidly and are almost impossible to time - you cannot know at any time whether tomorrow is going to swing up and be one of the special days or markets will continue to drop.

Investing everyday solves this, by investing everyday not only is your average cost lower, but you will be in the market to benefit from those special days.

Every day is a chance to save

Traditional KiwiSaver systems help those people in full-time, PAYE employment with contributions aligned to pay cycles, generally monthly or fortnightly. But a lot can happen to markets in 14 days and nearly 1.5 million Kiwis, freelancers, caregivers, part-timers, small business owners, don’t even get a regular PAYE contribution.

That’s where Feijoa comes in. It turns every day into a payday for your future.

Because Feijoa works with any KiwiSaver provider and any NZ bank, you don’t need to change where your money is, just how it works for you. You can even split your savings with family, kids, or flatmates. You’re not just building your future, you’re helping build theirs too.

Don’t wait for ‘One Day’

If you wait for the “right time” to invest, you’ll always be waiting. But if you start small; if you start today — you’re already ahead.

Feijoa helps you invest not just your money, but your habits. Because the truth is: a little every day beats a lot once in a while.

Ready to start? Join the quiet revolution and make your everyday spending count.
Register at feijoa.kiwi