How to Build Wealth Over Time Without Paying Big Fees

This post was created in partnership with uSMART. All views and opinions expressed in this article are Beansprout's objective and professional opinions.

What happened?

Markets are swinging on every news headline recently.

So much so that it’s getting harder to decide when to invest. 

That’s why I’ve found dollar-cost averaging (DCA) to be a structured way to build wealth as a long-term investor.

DCA allows me to invest a fixed amount regularly, rain or shine. 

I don’t have to time the market and I also avoid emotional decisions like panic-selling during market dips.

But DCA isn’t without its challenges. Cost, for one, can eat into my returns, especially if I’m investing smaller amounts. 

So, here I’ll be diving into one of the ways I’ve found that I can DCA at practically zero cost with uSMART’s Regular Savings Plan. 

How uSMART solves DCA investors' common pain points

uSMART’s Zero-cost* Regular Savings Plan (RSP) is built to address major pain points of DCA investing. Let’s take a closer look at its features:

#1 – Zero fees for Regular Savings Plans*

One of the biggest appeals of DCA is that you can start with as little as $50 or $100 a month. 

But many broker platforms charge minimum commission fees, which can quickly add up, especially when investing smaller amounts.

For instance, a US$1 fee on a US$100 monthly investment means losing 1% to fees right away.

uSMART eliminates this cost barrier when I invest through uSMART’s Zero-cost RSP. 

I pay $0 in fees: no commission, platform, custodian, or exchange fees for regular savings plans. 

Although the fees are initially deducted from my trade, they are fully refunded to my account in the following month (subject to eligibility and other terms and conditions). 

This rebate system makes the RSP effectively free to use, even for small amounts.

It’s worth noting that if you’re investing in US stocks with SGD, uSMART offers a conversion rate of 1 SGD to 0.76 USD (as of 21 April 2025), slightly below the mid-market rate of 0.7629. 

This works out to about US$2.90 less per S$1,000 converted, or a 0.38% FX spread. 

#2 – Fractional shares for US stocks and ETFs 

One of the challenges with dollar-cost averaging is trying to diversify your portfolio when your capital is limited, especially if a stock requires buying in whole shares or large lots.

uSMART allows me to buy fractional shares of US stocks and ETFs. 

That means I can start investing with as little as US$1, which opens up access to companies like Microsoft or Berkshire Hathaway without needing to buy a full share. 

This feature is particularly useful if I’m working with a tight monthly budget but still want to build a diversified portfolio over time.

#3 – Automated recurring investments 

Consistency is a big part of DCA’s success. By investing regularly, I give my portfolio a chance to grow steadily over time.

But some platforms require manual investing every month, which makes it easy to forget or procrastinate.

uSMART removes this friction with its fully automated RSP via e-giro. 

All I need to do is select the stock or ETF I want to invest in, choose how much I want to invest and set the frequency — either weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. 

Once it’s set up, uSMART executes my plan automatically, so I don’t have to log in every time. 

The RSP is available for US stocks, US stock ETFs, fractional US shares, Singapore stocks and SG ETFs.

To set it up, launch the uSMART app, tap on the Trade tab:

Select More: 

Then go to Regular Saving Plan: 

From there, you can configure your recurring investment and let the platform handle the rest:

Other things to consider about uSMART

Even beyond the RSP, uSMART offers a suite of features as a brokerage for retail investors in Singapore.

The app is clean, intuitive, and beginner-friendly. There’s no confusing jargon, just easy access to tools like stock screeners, curated ideas, and even market sentiment analysis.

There’s also an Intel tab with daily stock picks, technical charts, and macro research. Every day, I get three stock ideas complete with trend analysis. I can also join discussions or ask questions in the community.

I also like being able to access multiple global markets (US, SG, HK and Japan) in one place without juggling multiple brokerage accounts. 

Account tiers give you flexibility depending on your needs. 

The Trader tier offers the lowest fees but does not include access to premium tools or promos. 

The Standard account is the default for most users and unlocks full access to features like the RSP, educational content and referral rewards. 

The Intel tier, which requires a minimum of S$2,000 in assets, gives you unlimited access to smart tools, top-tier interest on idle cash, and VIP support.

What would Beansprout do?

uSMART’s Regular Savings Plan offers one of the most beginner-friendly and cost-effective ways to dollar-cost average into the market. 

Whether you’re investing in US stocks, ETFs or Singapore shares, you can get started from just US$1 and enjoy full fee rebates on your recurring investments.

In addition to zero fees on Regular Savings Plans, uSMART offers zero commission on US stocks, ETFs, and options, with no minimum charge. 

And for a limited time, uSMART is offering US stock trades at just US$0.88 per order.

That’s one of the lowest trading fees available in Singapore right now, making it a great opportunity for investors who want to keep costs low while building a long-term portfolio.

Get a S$50 Grab voucher when you sign up for a uSMART account via Beansprout, deposit S$1,000 in a single transaction within 30 days of account opening, and maintain the funds for 30 days. 

Steps to Take to Qualify for the Promotion:

1. Sign up for a uSMART account

2. Deposit S$1,000 in a single transaction within 30 days of account opening, and maintain the funds for 30 days

3. Fill in this form to claim your reward after fulfilling the requirements. 

The promotion will run until 30 June 2025. 

*T&Cs Apply

This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The content and information contained all general information and data (“Information”) for reference only and does not constitute an offer or a solicitation for sale or recommendation of any investments, trading strategies or investment products. You must make your own independent judgment with respect to any matter contained in this article. Your investment is subject to investment risk, including loss of income and capital invested.