Especially for the young, the hip, and the cool, pulling out a paper coupon when in public or hanging with friends can be viewed as “lame”. Rather than facing the double jeopardy of risking your coolness factor or paying too much for a product or service, check out these five cost-saving apps that you can download on your iPhone or Android and maintain your cool reputation.
This app is great for entertainment spots and eateries as it boasts a daily 50% savings for the “pick of the day.” An impromptu group decision for entertainment or food could end up costing you money you don’t want to spend, but at the same time you don’t want to be left out. Quickly pull up Scout Mob and make suggestions based on the daily pick or other top discounts. There are even plenty of freebies to choose from.
You may be living under a rock if you haven’t heard of Groupon; it soared in popularity during 2011. The app completely eliminates the need for paper coupons, and because you buy the deal ahead of time, you don’t even need to exchange money at the point of using the deal. You can purchase anything from pet grooming to an engagement ring based on the deals of the day and what your local companies have to offer.
This is a fabulous app for comparison-shopping. Looking for a gift or come across a “must have” product for yourself? Use the app to scan the barcode while you are in the store and it will provide you with the places and prices to compare for the best savings. By planning a little ahead of time instead of last minute shopping or impulse buying Amazon Mobile will save you lots of money.
Don’t you hate it when you fill up your gas tank and then you drive down the road and find a station where it is ten cents cheaper per gallon? Especially when you drive a big car, SUV, or truck, a savings of ten cents a gallon can really add up in a month’s time. Besides saving money in your local area, Gas Buddy is helpful when you are on a road trip. Gas prices can vary greatly from one town or state to another.
This app will help you coordinate your shopping list among multiple family members or roommates and help you find the best price by using the bar code scanner. It will also alert you when items on your shopping list are on sale or have an available coupon (or both!), saving you money each week by narrowing down the household’s choices for meals and snacks. Forget about spending hours with the Sunday paper matching store fliers and coupons. This app does it for you.
Steven Weinberg is a licensed insurance agent in 46 states, and lives in Lynchburg, Virginia. He is expert blogger at carinsurancecalculator.info
