17 Awesome Money Saving Apps

Source: http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2013/06/14/17-awesome-money-saving-apps/

Am I the only one who is completely awed by the miracle of this little technological wonder called the Smart Phone? How can one little handheld device do so much? Besides being a stylish fashion accessory, my phone is simultaneously a camera, internet browser, radio, GPS, e-reader, and note-taker. It even turns into a flashlight, should I ever need it.
I will readily admit that with all the amazing features of these little gizmos there is a serious temptation to spend every waking moment staring at that little screen. That said, I still think there are too many helpful & money-saving apps available not to take advantage of at least some of them.
I wanted to be able to give you all a fairly comprehensive list of what I feel are some of the best money-saving and reward-earning apps available right now. I have been researching & trying them out on my iPhone for a few months, just to get a good feel for how they work, but most of them are available for Android phones as well. New apps are developed all the time, so while it is quite possible I’ve missed something, I do feel confident that this list is a great selection.

Apps That Offer Rewards:

1. Shopkick
Rewards you with “kicks” (reward points) for visiting participating retailers (Macy’s, Target, Crate & Barrel, Best Buy, Old Navy, etc.
You can also earn “bonus kicks” for scanning specific items within the store.
Redeem your reward points for retail & restaurant gift cards.
Connect your credit or debit card to your account to earn points when you spend money at stores such as Target. I have personally found this the best way to earn points, since I don’t do a lot of retail shopping at other stores, but I do go to Target every now and then.

2. Viggle
Earn points for watching television shows.
Once you download the app, you can “check in” to register whatever show you are watching. The app will listen to your TV and you will earn 1 point per minute you are checked in.
Earn bonus points for watching featured programs; you can also earn bonus points through promotions and games.
Redeem points for gift cards and other prizes.
This app was pretty pointless for me since I watch almost no television, but I have a few TV-loving friends who absolutely love it!

3. Jingit
Jingit pays you to watch ads, then answer questions about the ads.
You can also earn money by checking in at Walmart and other participating locations.
To get paid, you must request a Jingit Visa Debit Card, which takes a $3 out of your account.
There is an earning limit of $15 per week.
This app is especially useful if you do a lot of Walmart shopping.

4. Swagbucks TV
Earn Swagbucks for watching videos on your phone, up to 50 per day.
Works in conjunction with your online Swagbucks account, for which you can earn Swagbucks by shopping online, using the Swagbucks site as your primary search engine, and printing coupons.
Redeem Swagbucks for gift cards and other prizes (500 Swagbucks equals a $5 gift card)
I have been earning Swagbucks online for years now and I love that this app can help me earn rewards faster in my downtime.
Apps that Save Money on Groceries

5. Ibotta
Ibotta also offers cash rewards, which can be deposited directly to a PayPal account. Right now you can get a $10 bonus just for signing up.
Unlike Jingit, Ibotta requires you to make a participating purchase in order to get paid. However, the payout is significantly higher than other rewards programs.
Before heading to the grocery store, choose the offers you will participate in. The more offers you choose, the more cash you’ll earn. Next, go shopping & purchase your chosen products. After you check out, take a photo of your receipt. Ibotta will then verify your purchase and credit your account.
Every time you redeem an offer a new one will be sent.
This is a GREAT app to use in conjunction with coupons and store sales!

7. SavingStar
Clip e-Coupons that are automatically added to your participating grocery store’s savings card.
Savings are stored in an account; once you’ve saved $5 or more, get paid via bank transfer, PayPal, or Amazon.com gift card.
Only works at participating stores, but it is a great app if your store participates!

8. Grocery IQ
Add items to your grocery list via text, scan, or voice, then easily clip corresponding coupons to save.
Can create different lists for multiple stores
Coupons can be sent directly to your wi-fi enabled printer, or emailed to you so you can print them via your home computer.
Can sync and share your list with multiple users
This is a good app if you are a techie who really loves using your phone for this type of stuff!

9. Snip Snap
Allows you to take pictures of your paper coupons, then store & organize them on your phone so that you never have to worry about leaving your coupons at home.
Also allows you to “clip” various coupons through the app itself.
NOTE: Many stores will no longer accept coupons clipped or shared through this app.
Apps that Save Money on Other Items

10. Shop Savvy
Barcode scanner allows you to scan an item in the store to see if you can find a better price online.
Great way to avoid impulse purchases!

11. Gas Buddy
Uses satellite locater to find the closest gas stations with current gas prices
Earn points every time you report a gas price

12. Retail Me Not
Retail coupon app that quickly pulls up coupons or coupon codes for most major retailers that can be used in stores or online.
Simple-to-use app with easy search option
Also features daily “hot deals”

13. JoAnns Coupon App
Retail coupon app that pulls up exclusive coupons just for JoAnn’s stores
Offers coupons that are not available anywhere else
Can be “stacked” with paper coupons, competitor coupons, and other online coupons.
Apps that Help Organize & Manage Your Finances

14. Mint.com
Free budgeting app automatically tracks all your accounts & credit cards in one place
Allows you to see the “big picture” of where your money is and where it is going.

15. Check (formerly PageOnce)
Similar to Mint.com in that it is a free budgeting app that automatically tracks your accounts & credit cards
Offers a paid bill pay option upgrade for $4.99 that allows you to pay your bills each month
Reminds you when bills are due so that you never miss a payment.

16. Easy Envelope Budget Aid
Budgeting app that lets you create virtual “envelopes” to keep track of spending in various categories.
Great for Dave Ramsey fans who find it cumbersome to carry actual envelopes.
Includes a sync option so you can share with other users

17. Award Wallet
Helps track all your frequent flyer miles, hotel points, & credit card rewards
Essential app if you travel a lot for business or use multiple reward programs!
I do think it is important to note that while, for the purpose of this blog post, I did install and try all these apps, I have not continued to use them all on a regular basis, nor do I think that you should! It is important to balance the usefulness of the app with the amount of time spent on your phone. My recommendation is that you try a few out, depending on what your desired outcome is (organizing finances, earning rewards, etc.) and see which ones work best for you.