Do you have a smartphone?Then youhave all you need to save money. There arecountlessapps dedicated to saving. These include apps with mobile coupons and rebates or percentage-off discounts – which most time can be combined with one another!
Must-Have Money Saving Smartphone Apps
Want to save even more? Get your family involved! If your child/teenager wants a cell phone, make it a condition of the agreement that they must download and actively participate in some of these money saving smartphone apps as well. Not only is this a great way to get the family involved in saving, it is a great way to learn about money and how to earn/save it (and not spend it all at once).
20 Must Have Money Saving Smartphone Apps
1. ibotta
ibotta is, quite frankly, the best of the best. This app has the most rebates, and is available at retailers all across the country. Simply select the store at which you’ll be shopping and unlock the offers for the items you plan to purchase. After you purchase those items, scan the barcode from the package and take a photo of your receipt (all within the app) and they will deposit that amount into your account.
With their browser extension you can shop from your laptop or computer and automatically save on hundreds of retailers’ sites. You can get cash back from hotels, grocery purchases, and various other online shopping. Alternately, if you prefer to use the app instore, you can purchase a gift card for certain retailers straight from your phone and use it immediately at checkout. You earn cash back from the purchase of the gift card, often 1-3% or more. They have a $250 daily limit, so if you are planning on a large purchase you’ll need to plan ahead and purchase multiple gift cards.
Request your funds once you hit the $20 threshold (easier than you think!) via PayPal or Venmo. You can also choose from dozens of gift cards such as Sam’s club, Olive Garden, GAP, Best Buy, Old Navy, Amazon, Papa John’s… the list goes on and onand on.
Also, get a SUPER bonus (this varies, but often up to $10!) when you download the app and redeem your first rebate.
2. Kroger App
If you live near a Kroger (or affiliate store such as Dillons, Bakers, King Soopers etc) you’ll want to download their respective app. You are able to link your store loyalty card number, which allows you to search and add digital coupons to your card before heading up to checkout. These coupons will come off automatically (just once per offer unless otherwise stated) saving you money in the easiest way possible.
Have a better paper coupon? Remove the lower value digital coupon before heading to checkout. Only one manufacturer’s coupon per item is allowed – digital or paper or otherwise.
3. Circle
This app is ALL about Target. What I love about Circleis that you can scan barcodes while in the store to see if there is an applicable offer associated with the item. If that answer is “yes” it will pop up with the percentage savings, and you simply load it to your account. That discount will then be applied when the cashier scans your unique code.
Each offer will have a limit. Some higher discounts (like 50% off) will only apply to one item, while other offers will apply up to FOUR or more. Be sure to read the description of the offers before going crazy.
Also, you are able to use these percentage-off savings in conjunction withmanufacturer’s printable couponsor insert coupons, as well as withTarget store coupons. Is there a Target gift card offer on that shampoo? See if there is a Circleoffer and combine ALL of thee savings! Sa-weet!!!
4. Checkout51
Checkout51 has cut back their rebate offers in recent years. They have offers that change every Thursday. Each receipt submission must be purchased and submitted by midnight on Wednesdays, before the offers change. Open up the app on Thursday mornings to see what’s new.
Newer options, that they’ve recently introduced, are rebates on gas (as well as a handy map that shows current gas prices) at a selection of stores, surveys, a small selection of rebates from shopping at online retailers, and if you turn on location services you can earn $0.07 just for visiting certain stores.
Once you’ve reached a $20 balance, you can request your payment via check, and you’ll receive it in the mail relatively quickly.
5. Amazon
The #1 reason I have this app is to check prices before making a purchase in-store (Walmart, Target etc). If the price is cheaper on Amazon (and since I have Amazon Prime I get free shipping) I can see if I can get a better price there.
Note that if you are at Walmart or Target and the item is cheaper on Amazon (and is SOLD and SHIPPED by Amazon, not third-party) you can price match right there in the store.
6. Capital One Shopping
Capitol One searches and applies coupon codes while shopping. You can either shop by store online or search for a specific product. Capitol One will show recommendations if they find a lower price and what type of rebates that you can earn.
Once you earn rebates through them, then you can redeem them for gift cards through various retailers.
7. Flipp
While not a rebate app, this app will help you plan out a better weekly budget by showing you deals from nearby stores. You can browse their weekly circulars or if, for example, you are looking for the best deal on “chicken breast”, then you can just search for that specific product and it will show you which retailer has it on sale that week.
Under the “coupon tab” you can also link your loyalty card to CVS, Walgreens, and Family Dollar and automatically load coupons to your card and browse other online discount codes.
8. Double Coupon Checker
Need to know if that 50¢ coupon will double to $1.00? Scan it with the app and it’ll tell you. Not that this is a problem in most areas of the country, but if your store still doubles coupons, you’ll want this app.
Man, IWISHI still had this problem. Although if youshop at Kmart they do offer double $2.00(turning into $4.00!) coupons on occasion.
9. Gas Buddy
This money saving smartphone app is awesome for those of us that wish to save money on gas. Isn’t that… everyone?
Simply open up the app to find the cheapest gas stations in your area. Stop on the way to work instead of on the way to the gym later and save a few bucks in the process.
10. Walmart App
If you are a frequent Walmart shopper, this app will save you some serious dough. While you are shopping in store you can scan your items to see if it is cheaper at Walmart.com. If it is, you can request a price match at the register. Keep in mind that the price online MUST be sold from Walmart and not another third party retailer.
11. Shopkick
I love this app. We get “kicks” for scanning items in the store. Yep, just scan the barcode and you’re earning rewards. I hand my phone over to my 7 year old and 9 year old while I shop, they find the items and scan them and they have a blast while staying occupied. ♥
You also get “kicks” for simply opening the app and walking into various retailers such as Target, Bath & Body Works, Old Navy etc. Have a teenager that likes to walk the mall? TEENAGERS NEED THIS APP!Redeem your “kicks” for gift cards – I always choose Target myself but Starbucks is nice too – that are then redeemable right there in the store.
12. Slice
Love toshop online? This app will track your packages for you, as well as notify you about price drops and recalls.
13. Shopmium
Shopmium offers cash back at various retailers (including Walmart and Target, CVS and Walgreens). One your rebate submission is approved, they will deposit the funds directly into your PayPal account.
Offers can not be combined with other coupons or rebates for the same product on the same purchase.
14. RetailMeNot
Thiswebsiteis the go-to for promo codes, but did you know that the app has in-store savings as well? Search by trending discounts/coupons or offers near you to find the best bang for your buck.
15. Raise
Raise.com is a great way to save on gift card purchases. Making a large purchase at Home Depot? Get on Raise.com and see if you can find a gift card at a discounted rate – sometimes up to 20% savings! That means you could score possibly a $100 gift card for just $80.
Not looking to buy gift cards? You can sell unwanted gift cards there, too! Perfect for those gift cards you received on your last birthday that you’ll never end up using.
16. Military Cost Cutters
If you’re a military family, this app shows you which business and/or restaurants in your area offer military discounts, and what amount. Thank you for your service!
17. Receipt Hog
This app rewards you for scanning your receipts. Scan receipts everyday, up to 20 receipts per week. Earn coins for each receipt you submit, then turn those coins into real cash. Also spin the wheel to earn bonus coins.
Just make sure to submit your receipt within 7 days of the purchase date.
18. Key Ring
While this app won’t necessarily save or earn you money, it does cut down on all of the bazillion loyalty cards needed to save nowadays. Store all of your loyalty card info right there within the app.
You could also try Cardstar, a similar app that also allows you to add library cards and more.
19. Kirkland’s Spin to Win
If you don’t love Kirkland’s, we can’t be friends. LOVE that place, and their prices rock and their clearance is killer. Even sweeter? Download their Spin to Win app and get coupons before you head to the store. Sometimes we get 15% off entire purchase, sometimes it’s $10 off $50+ or up to $25 off $50!
What other money savings smartphone apps do you have? I’d love to download a few more, and it seems like these are revolutionizing the way we save anymore.
20. Upside
Upside is a great way to earn cash back on things you buy anyway, like gas for your vehicle or dinner with the family. Different locations of the same gas station chain will have different offers, some will be 3 cents back per gallon and some will be up to 25 cents per gallon back! Not too shabby… and if you refer friends you BOTH get bonuses. Sweet!
The restaurant offers vary typically from 6% back to 20% back on your entire ticket. That could be enough to cover drinks or an appetizer! Get the Upside app here.
See more money saving tips before you go!
19 Habits of Frugal People
19 Secret Shopping Hacks for Saving at Kohl’s
Tips for Choosing Credit Cards (for Their Rewards Programs)
Tips for Finding Online Deals on Prescription Eyeglasses
Budget 101: How to Manage Your Budget Like an Adult
