A year ago I signed up to Spaceship mostly because the code S8TFNJJGXM promised $30 if I entered it within 14 days and chucked at least $15 into a portfolio within 90 days. It felt like a low-stakes way to finally stop talking about "getting into investing" and actually do the tiniest version of it.
Twelve months later the account is still there. I've added more than the bare minimum over time (not religiously, but more than I expected), watched the balance go up and down with the markets, and paid the small monthly fee every month without really noticing until I looked at the yearly total. The initial $30 was a nice psychological win. The actual investing habit is... a work in progress.
Here's the no-bullshit version.
The Honeymoon Phase (Months 1-3)
The code worked. I entered S8TFNJJGXM early, transferred a bit more than $15 into the portfolio I picked (the one that sounded growth-oriented with some tech tilt), and the $30 bonus credited once the conditions cleared. The app made everything feel approachable - big friendly buttons, simple portfolio descriptions, no endless research required.
I set up a small recurring deposit because "why not" and it felt responsible. Checking the app was novel instead of stressful. The balance was tiny so every green day felt like proof I was a genius.
The US exposure option was a nice surprise - being able to get some international stocks/ETFs without opening a whole separate broker account.
The Reality Check (Months 4-8)
Around month four or five the shine wore off a little.
The monthly account fee (whatever the current rate is - it was small but consistent) started to feel more relevant once the novelty wore off. On a small balance it's a higher percentage drag than it looks on paper. I didn't cancel anything, but I did pause the recurring for a couple of months when cashflow was tight.
Performance depended entirely on which portfolio I chose at the start. Mine had good periods and flat or down periods. Because it's managed and not individual picks, there wasn't much I could "do" except add more or switch (switching has its own considerations).
Some features I thought I'd use (round-ups, more advanced US trading) stayed mostly untouched. The app is simple, which is the point, but sometimes simple means you wish there were a couple more levers.
Support for anything beyond basic questions felt slow or templated when I had one minor account linking issue.
What Actually Stuck (Months 9-12)
By the end of the year I'd settled into occasional top-ups rather than strict recurring. I add when I have a bit of spare cash or a tax refund or whatever, rather than treating it like a bill.
The $30 from the original code is long gone in the overall balance, but it did its job of getting me over the initial activation energy. The portfolio has grown from the tiny starting point, partly from contributions and partly from whatever the markets did.
I still like that I can see both the managed Aussie/international portfolios and the separate US investing option in one place. I haven't moved big money in - this is still my "learn by doing small" bucket while I use other things for larger or more hands-on investing.
The Honest Bits
- The code S8TFNJJGXM and $30 bonus are a legitimate low-friction on-ramp if you meet the deadlines and minimum invest.
- Simplicity is the strength and the limitation - great for beginners, eventually some people want more control or lower ongoing costs at scale.
- Small balances + any monthly fee = you feel the costs more in the early days.
- Performance is portfolio-dependent and market-dependent. No one is picking stocks for you in a way you control.
- Adding money is easy. Withdrawing or making changes has the usual investment product considerations.
- It's genuinely Australian-resident focused and easy to get started with very little.
Who This Is Actually For After a Year
Good fit if you:
- Want dead-simple micro investing with managed portfolios and some US access
- Are okay with a small ongoing fee in exchange for not having to think much
- Plan to add money gradually rather than lump sums right away
- Like the idea of a sign-up bonus (S8TFNJJGXM) to kick things off
Skip or treat as very temporary if:
- You want to pick and own individual shares directly (CHESS sponsored)
- You're investing larger amounts where fee structures or features on other platforms may suit better
- You hate any form of monthly account cost
- You need hand-holding or frequent support
Final Verdict
The S8TFNJJGXM code and $30 bonus got me to actually open the account and put real (small) money in. What kept it alive after a year is that it's low friction enough that I occasionally remember to add more instead of letting it become another forgotten app.
It's not going to make me rich and the fees matter more on tiny balances than the marketing sometimes implies. But it did turn "I should invest" into "I have a small portfolio that's been running for a year." For a lot of people that's the hardest part.
Still thinking about trying Spaceship? Enter code S8TFNJJGXM within 14 days of signing up and invest at least $15 within 90 days for the $30. Use it as a low-pressure starting point, not your only strategy.
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Disclaimer: Offers, fees, portfolio availability, eligibility, and terms are subject to change. Coupon CEO may earn a commission on qualifying sign-ups at no extra cost to you. This is personal experience, not financial advice. Investing involves the risk of loss of capital. The $30 bonus requires meeting the exact conditions around the code and minimum investment within the time windows. Always review current details in the app.
FAQ
Is Spaceship still worth it after a year?
For people who value simplicity and are adding small amounts gradually, it can be. For larger sums or people who want more control, other platforms may offer better value or features long term.
Did the $30 from code S8TFNJJGXM make a difference?
It was a nice kickstart and helped the early balance feel more meaningful. The habit of occasionally adding more mattered more than the bonus itself after the first few months.
How do the fees compare after 12 months?
The monthly account fee is consistent. On very small balances it represents a noticeable percentage. As the balance grows it becomes less painful proportionally. Check current rates.
Can I switch portfolios easily?
You can usually move between available portfolios, but there may be timing, tax, or fee implications. Review the details in the app before switching.
What about the US investing part long term?
It's convenient for getting some US exposure without a full separate broker. Liquidity, fees, and features are different from the main managed portfolios - worth comparing if that's your main interest.
Any regrets after a full year?
Only that I didn't add more consistently in the middle months when I had spare cash. The platform made starting easy; keeping the momentum was on me.
How do I get the current best sign-up deal?
Watch Coupon CEO for active codes like S8TFNJJGXM. The exact bonus amounts and conditions rotate. Enter any code promptly after signup.
