The investing world can seem daunting, especially to those who don’t have much saved up. But with a $5 entry point, no need for major outlays, and a constant stream of information, condensed into an easy-to-understand smartphone app, Stash is helping Gen Yers build their portfolios.

According to a MetLife study, nearly a third of Americans have tapped their retirement savings to help pay off debts and make big-ticket purchases. With many people already struggling to save for later life, there's a growing call for employers to help them overcome financial stress.

Americans are bad at saving, but considering that 57% of them play the lottery, it’s not due to a lack of money to save in the first place. The Long Game is a mobile app that wants people to feel excited at the prospect of building a nest egg in the same way they would when buying a lottery ticket.

Putting money aside for a rainy day has always come more naturally to some than others. But new research suggests that attitudes towards saving may also be dictated by the year you were born in, with Gen Y emerging as the first generation to primarily save for financial freedom over retirement.