Apps That Can Help You Save A Surprising Amount Of Money
It's not hard to find a bargain if you know where to look. But sometimes you need a little help from your smartphone. Over the years, numerous companies have created apps that are specifically designed to save you money. Many are even free to download, so they're definitely worth checking out.
If you want to learn how to budget, save money on travel expenses, or find a great deal at a local restaurant, consider using some of the following apps. After all, a penny saved is a penny earned.
'Groupon' Has Hard-To-Beat Travel & Local Bargains
You've probably heard of Groupon. If you're looking for a bargain on a variety of activities and products, this is a must-have app. You can save up to 90 percent off all sorts of things, including restaurants and hotels. All you need to do is enter your location to find some deals nearby.
We searched the app and found the following in just seconds: 45 percent off a massage, 66 percent off men's shoes, and great deals on trips to Rome, Cape Cod, and Cancun.
Earn Points With 'Shopkick' & Receive Gift Cards
If you like shopping then you know how good it feels when you find a really good deal. Shopkick has more than six million users, so you know it's offering some great bargains. The app allows you to browse products and get some really good finds at a variety of stores, including Best Buy, Macy's, and Target.
The app allows you to earn points through a variety of actions, such as making purchases, getting friends on board, or even just going into a brick and mortar store. Eventually, these points turn into gift cards, so you can spend even more at your favorite spots.
'BillTracker' Highlights Due Dates & Tracks Amount Totals
If you're one of the people who struggles with paying bills on time, this app for iOS and Android is just for you. Created by SnapTap, BillTracker makes sure you never miss any payments. It is password protected and sorts your due dates and amount totals in one spot.
When you have a bill coming up, BillTracker lets you know through its notification system. In addition, it highlights due dates on a calendar so you really have no excuse for missing a payment.
Find The Cheapest Gas With 'GasBuddy'
This app is hugely popular and has over 32 million visitors, which is saying something. If you want to find the best prices on gasoline, simply use this app. It will direct you to the cheapest service stations in your area. It's also updated frequently to ensure that you get the best deal around.
In addition, if you report local gas prices to the app, you earn points. These points enter you in a weekly contest that gives away $250 for gas.
'RetailMeNot' Is A Couponer's Paradise
RetailMeNot boasts that it can help you save at over 50,000 stores. The app offers thousands of coupons on some of your favorite shops, including J Crew, Victoria's Secret, Starbucks, Target, Sephora, Bed Bath & Beyond, Forever 21, and Bloomingdale’s.
All you have to do is save the coupons that interest you most. The app will notify you when the coupons expire. In addition, you can search for bargains at nearby stores. Physical coupons aren't required -- all you need is to show the cashier your phone to get the savings.
Receive Free Services With 'LivingSocial' If You Get Your Friends On Board
LivingSocial is similar to Groupon. It offers numerous deals related to where you live. It also lists local events you may be interested in attending. You can find bargains on a variety of things, including hotels and restaurants. You can also use the app for gift-giving purposes.
And because it promotes a social environment, you can earn things for free if you share a discount on social media and three of your friends purchase the same product. It's a win-win situation.
'Grocery iQ' Helps You With Your Shopping List
If you're the type of person that has a hard time resisting temptation at the supermarket, you may want to consider using Grocery iQ. The app focuses on your grocery shopping list, and it helps you avoid unnecessary items. The app has millions of products in its database that you can use to create a shopping list.
The app also allows you to scan barcodes and can function via voice recognition. In addition, it includes tons of coupons and store locators. It's perfect if you're short on time or want to keep your budget on track.
Get Cheap Eats With 'Campus Special'
When you're a college student, one thing you do a lot in your downtime is eat. But you don't always have a lot of money to spend. One of the best ways to find a bargain is by using the Campus Special app. It locates restaurants near your college or university that have special deals.
In addition, you can order food from your phone and specify pick-up or delivery. You can earn rewards every time you use the app, and you can redeem them at local eateries.
Manage Your Finances More Efficiently With 'YNAB'
YNAB stands for You Need A Bigger Budget and works with both iOS and Android devices. As the name indicates, the app is all about budgeting. The app is designed to help you manage money more efficiently and create a stress-free financial environment. The app subscription is in addition to $60 software you must buy for your Windows or Mac.
The app allows you to check your financial transactions and budget while you're out and about. While it's not free, the software/app will help you organize your finances in such a way that it will pay off later.
'Ibotta' Gives You More Cash The More You Shop
This is another app for people who love shopping. The great part is that the more you spend, the more real money you earn. All you have to do is browse various offers in a product gallery and check the ones you like. You're also required to complete a variety of tasks, such as take a poll, watch a video, or share something on social media.
Each time you finish a task, pending cash is put into your account. When you actually buy a product, the pending cash is turned into a gift card or can be accessed via PayPal.
'BestParking' Locates The Cheapest Places To Park
Sometimes parking can be a pain in the you know what, particularly if you're driving in the city. It can also be very expensive to find the right place to park if you're in a place you're not very familiar with. To avoid the stress and save some money, consider using the BestParking app.
The app makes sure you not only find a safe place to park your car but also a place that's nearby and cheaper than surrounding locations. If there's an inaccurate listing, the app will give you a $5 Starbucks giftcard.
'Mint' Creates A Budget For You & Is Totally Free
This personal finance app lets you do nearly everything from your iOS or Android device, including tracking information on your various checking, savings, and retirement accounts. Mint records and categorizes each transaction and also calculates your spending habits.
The app develops a budget tailored just for you, and if you have an iPad it generates graphs to demonstrate what your net worth and cash flow are. One of the best parts about this app is it's absolutely free. Also, it's password-protected, and you can deactivate it at any point.
'SavingStar' Keeps Track Of All Your Loyalty Cards
Do you have a lot of loyalty cards from a variety of stores in your wallet or purse? Is it hard keeping track of them? Then you may want to consider a digital coupon app such as SavingStar. It links your loyalty cards and is connected to thousands of grocery stores and drugstores in the country.
The app lets you pick the digital coupons you want to use, and the reward is automatically applied to the corresponding loyalty card. Once you reach $5 in savings, you get cold hard cash.
'Hotel Tonight' Provides Low Prices On Last-Minute Bookings
When you take a vacation, one of the most expensive parts (besides the airfare) is the hotel. Well, if you have a chance to save on your accommodations, you should take advantage of it. The international app Hotel Tonight allows you to access last-minute deals on hotels stays.
You can even book a room on the same day up until 2 a.m. It's a great app if you decide to take a last-minute vacation or you're stuck on a layover. The app also provides 24-hour customer support.
'DebtTracker Pro' Helps You Get Out Of A Rut
These days it's not uncommon for someone to have problems with debt. But you can get out of it, particularly if you have some expert help. If you can't afford a professional, consider using DebtTracker Pro. The app helps you keep track of your finances and creates a personalized payoff plan.
You decide which strategy you want to follow, and the app will help guide you through the process and make sure you're on top of things when payments are due. It also lets you know how you're progressing towards your goals, which is very motivating.
Earn Rewards By Watching Your Favorite Shows With 'Viggle'
If you really enjoy watching TV and find yourself parked on the couch most evenings to catch up on your favorite shows, then this app is just for you. It grants rewards every time you check in with whatever show you happen to be watching. Then you earn points from a variety of places, such as Starbucks and Barnes & Noble.
In addition, you can get even more points if you participate in Television IQ and other games. You can also interact with people you know.
'Military Cost Cutters' Locates Deals For Servicemen & Women
Joining the military is a very noble thing to do. You're sacrificing your time and energy to serve the country, and it often involves time away from loved ones. So, if you have an opportunity to get some deals due to your military service, you should take advantage of them.
Military Cost Cutters helps servicemen and women find local businesses that provide discounts for those who have served in the military. You can search the app by your city, state, and zip code.
'GameFly' Offers Rewards & Coupons Give You Deep Discounts
If you're a gamer, you most likely know about Gamefly. It's a video game rental subscription service that provides a variety of games to its users. It's also a great way to save money. You can rent, pre-order, or buy your favorite games at deep discounts. The app also updates you on the latest gaming news.
You can earn rewards and coupons through the app, which help you save even more cash. In addition, the app releases a game of the day that is either free or on sale.
'Amazon Local' Points Out Deals In Your City
If you use Amazon, you might want to think about downloading the Amazon Local app, which can save you up to 75 percent on deals in your area. One of the best things about this app is that you can search for bargains in your area and purchase them right away.
In addition, the app allows you to customize settings and favorites so it can direct specific offers towards you that it thinks you may like. It's also helpful because it doesn't require you to print out any coupons.
'Compare Bookings' Saves You Money On Hotels, Cruises & More
This is another great app if you enjoy traveling and want to save some money in the process. Compare Bookings allows you to search for hotels in specific locations, and it also compares prices from a variety of travel sites, including Priceline, Travelocity, and Expedia.
This method ensures that you find the best hotel for the price. And it does all the work for you. You can also use the app for other travel-related expenses, including cruises and car rentals.
