Do you have a smartphone? Then you have all you need to save money. There are countless apps dedicated to saving. These include apps with mobile coupons and rebates or percentage-off discounts – which most time can be combined with one another!
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).
27 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.
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 on and on.
Build a team (that consists of your Facebook friends also using the ibotta app) and earn extra bonuses. Also, get a SUPER bonus (this varies, but often up to $10!) when you download the app and redeem your first rebate.
2. MobiSave
MobiSave is one of the newer smartphone apps. I like this one because they offer several “ANY” brand rebates. Buy ANY oranges, and get a rebate. Buy ANY frozen pizza, get a rebate. These offers change weekly and may run out quickly.
MoviSave offers reset/reload on Mondays. Always check this app before you do your shopping for the week. Once you download and open the app, you’ll want to add the offers to your cart (within the app) before actually purchasing anything in the store. The offers must be in your cart before checking out.
MobiSave pays you immediately – no need to hit a “cash out” threshold. They’ll send the money straight away to your PayPal account.
3. bev|RAGE
This app is dedicated to alcohol – and ONLY alcohol. They launched nationally in August of 2016, and currently offer $3.00 back on ONE 24-pk of ANY brand beer, $2.00 back on ANY 12-pk of beer or $1.00 on ANY 6-pk of beer. I’m sure these offers will change as time goes along so get it on it while you can.
Into liquor instead? They currently have rebate offers for ANY tequila, ANY whiskey, ANY gin etc.
Headed out to eat? Check the bev|RAGE app! Under the”bars and restaurants” section, you’ll find offers such as $1.50 back on ANY bottle or draft beer and some offers on glasses of wine.
4. 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.
5. Cartwheel
This app is ALL about Target. What I love about Cartwheel is 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 with manufacturer’s printable coupons or insert coupons, as well as with Target store coupons. Is there a Target gift card offer on that shampoo? See if there is a Cartwheel offer and combine ALL of thee savings! Sa-weet!!!
6. Checkout51
Checkout51 has really vamped up their offers this year. They have dozens of 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.
This app is awesome because every week you get to pick one produce item (from a list of five) that saves you 25¢. This week for example is blueberries, onions, salad mix, kiwis or grapefruit. Buy one single onion for your burgers and get it for next to nothin’!
Request your payment via check, and you’ll receive it in the mail relatively quickly. Oh, they have beer rebates as well, that you could combine with the bev|RAGE app above. Score!
7. 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. How bomb diggity is that?!
Yes, I just used bomb diggity in a sentence.
8. Berry Cart
Berry Cart is a great app for vegetarian, vegan or organic/non-GMO food lovers. Each week a variety of foods and products are added, so check it often and cash in on healthy savings.
9. Shrink
Shrink is very similar to Berry Cart, and many times the offers will be the nearly identical. You can request your rebate from each, so if you are looking for healthier options, this rebate app is also for you.
10. 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, I WISH I still had this problem. Although if you shop at Kmart they do offer double $2.00 (turning into $4.00!) coupons on occasion.
11. 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.
12. Out to Eat With Kids
This app shows the restaurants offering cheap/free kids meals. I think this one speaks for itself. Download it, yo!
13. Walmart Savings Catcher
If you are a frequent Walmart shopper, this app will save you some serious dough. Simply scan the QR code on your receipt after you leave the store and Walmart will get to work. They’ll find out if any of your items are cheaper at a competitor near you, and credit your app the difference. Then you can cash out and use that money next time you go to Walmart.
14. 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?
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.
15. Slice
Love to shop online? This app will track your packages for you, as well as notify you about price drops and recalls.
16. 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. Note that some stores are excluded, like Kroger and CVS etc. It will tell you when you open the app which are and are not.
Use my referral code (GGGGKAPA) and you’ll get a FREE Lindt Chocolate bar! ~thank you!
17. SavingStar
This app offers cash back on brands such as Frito Lay, Dove, Advil and many, many more. My favorite thing about this app is that you can link it to your CVS shoppers card. Add which offers you like, purchase them at CVS and those rebates will be submitted for you – automatically. Sweet, right?
For other stores, you’ll need to scan the barcode of the item you purchased, then upload a photo of your receipt within the app. The funds will be added to your account. You can then request payment via PayPal, Amazon or other gift cards.
18. RetailMeNot
This website is 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.
19. 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.
20. 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!
21. 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.
23. 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.
24. Favado
Did you know that my husband Paul (Penny Pinchin’ Paul) is a contributor to Favado? It is the most comprehensive shopping app featuring nearly ALL of the stores across the country. Every single item from every single weekly ad is inputted into the system, along with the corresponding coupon.
All you need to do is open up the app (or search right here on Penny Pinchin’ Paul) and it will show you where an item is on sale, and for how much and what you’ll pay after coupon. Does it get any easier?!
25. Apples2Oranges
This app helps less mathematically inclined folks figure out the best value at the store. Say two varieties of apple sauce are on sale for different amounts, and one is slightly larger size. Let the app calculate it for you and buy the best deal.
26. Find & Save
I’m crafty, and therefore I love this app. Every once in a while they offer $10 back when you spend $25+ at Michael’s (for example). Combine that with in-store coupons and sales and you have a DEAL!
My referral code is CFNL, feel free to post yours in the comments!
27. 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.
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
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