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.
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.
'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.
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 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.
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.
