In the now-classic documentary Super Size Me, protagonist Morgan Spurlock eats nothing but McDonald’s food in order to see what it will do to his body. One of his rules: if any McDonald’s staff member asks if he’d like to “Super Size” his order, he has to say yes.
Last week, I did something similar with the investment app Robinhood. You may have heard about Robinhood if you followed the story of Gamestop earlier this year, whose stock Internet pranksters bid up to ridiculous levels (often using Robinhood) in an attempt to punish hedge funds that had bet against the gaming company.
The Gamestop story hints at a broader shift, with much bigger implications: Millennials and members of Gen Z are starting to invest their money. And they’re not using legacy brokerages like Vanguard or Fidelity. Instead, they’re using apps—Robinhood included.
To explore this trend, I’m launching a new series called the $1K Test. I’ll put $1000 into various high-tech investment apps, DeFi platforms, and more, and then track how my investments do. You can follow along on the DIY Life Tech blog, or on our YouTube channel.
How did I choose which stocks and cryptocurrencies to buy on Robinhood? I took the Super Size Me approach—whatever the app told me to buy, I bought. That means I ended up with a ton of Gen-Z-friendly holdings, like Tesla, Snap, Dogecoin, and more. I’ve also got some useful hands-on experience with the Robinhood app which I can pass on to you, whether you’re a Millenial/Gen Z member or an older investor.
Check out my first post about Robinhood on DIY Life Tech. If you want a Robinhood account of your own, start one with my link and we’ll both get a little bonus stock.
How will my Super Size Me inspired Robinhood portfolio do? I have no idea. I might rise to investing glory. I might lose my entire investment. Whatever happens, you can follow along, and hopefully, learn something from the experience.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice. Always consult a professional advisor for advice specific to your situation before making any major financial decisions, and never invest more than you can afford to lose. Thomas Smith holds a diversified investment portfolio that includes the securities listed above.