Smartphones can do anything nowadays. They have calendar apps to make sure you never miss an appointment and contact apps so that everyone you know is only a touch of the finger away.
Well, they also have apps to help you save money, so if you would like your smartphone to help you stash some cash, you have quite a few options.
Just as a disclaimer, no app is going to work unless you actually use it so if you’re contemplating downloading an app and think that is all you need to do to build up your savings account, think again. Additionally, you may want to play around with a few different apps so to discover which one is easiest for you to use and also meets your needs.
Which apps are others finding useful? Here are just a few (and most of them are free to download, so you don’t have to worry about spending money to save it):
#1: CouponCabin
This app is every money saver’s dream! With access to over 4,000 stores and brands, you will have immediate access to all of the discounts and deals that are being offered.
Using this app, you can scan print coupons and loyalty cards directly into your phone so you don’t have to worry about trying to keep them all in your wallet. It even sends you alerts if you’re in a shopping center that it has coupons for. It’s like having your own personal coupon assistant!
Find it here
#2: SnipSnap Coupon App
Although this app revolves around couponing like CouponCabin, it has a few different functions. For instance, if you find a discount offer that interests you, you just take a picture of it with your smartphone and it will convert the content to a “mobile-optimized offer” which is available right from your phone.
There is one disclaimer to mention with this app and that is that it currently only supports retailer coupons, not manufacturer offers.
Find it here
#3: Mint.com
The best way to save money is to always know how much you have. Also, when you are able to see your savings balance increase, it can be motivation to push that amount higher and higher.
Mint.com does both of these as it allows you to connect your personal savings, checking, credit cards, loans and retirement accounts to the app. With access to your entire financial status 24 hours a day, you are less likely to make a money related decision that could negatively impact your savings account.
Find it here
#4: Kids Money
If you have a little one that you’d like to get excited about saving money, this may be a great app for them! Whether you download it to your phone or theirs, they simply plug in how much money they’d like to save, how much weekly pocket money they get and how much cash they’ve received as a gift (like at birthday time).
This app will tell them exactly how long they’ll have to save to reach their monetary goal. It is very simple to use, but it may be just what you need to get your kids to see that saving money can be fun! There are versions available for both U.S. Dollars and British Pounds.
#5: Loan Calculator – What if?
Although this app does cost $0.99 and is designed specifically for Apple products (think iPhone and iPad), it can help you save huge amounts of money on bigger expenses, such as a house, car or any other item that you would get via a loan.
Simply plug in the loan amount, term and interest rate and it will give you the monthly payment as well as what the total cost will be (which is the loan amount and interest added together).
Then it has a “What If Options” section that allows you to add additional money to the debt per month or year and it will tell you exactly how much you’ll save via interest and how much earlier you can pay it off. When you can actually see the money you’d save by making additional payments, it inspires you to do just that and potentially save yourself a mountain of cash!
Find it here
Saving money isn’t always easy, but the more tools you have at your disposal, the simpler it becomes. Make your smartphone work for you and maybe you’ll save enough to help it pay for itself!
Cover photo: weheartit.com
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