According to the Pew Research Center, 97% of Americans own a cell phone of some kind and 85% of Americans own a smartphone.
We spend more than four hours a day on our phones, according to app monitoring company App Annie, calling family, texting friends, taking pictures and downloading apps. Lots of applications.
Over 5.4 million apps can be downloaded to your Android or Apple phone. In seconds, you can add an app that can help you do just about anything, from identifying a tree species to finding your life partner (maybe). But, while some apps inform and entertain, the right apps can turn your phone from a communication tool into a money-saving machine.
To get the most out of every dollar during these trying times, 84% of consumers plan to take advantage of online tools to save money this holiday shopping season, according to a survey by US News & World Reports.
There are tons of mobile apps out there that can streamline shopping and save you money on gifts and groceries. The best mobile apps can help you effortlessly access coupons, compare prices between different retailers, and earn generous cash back rewards. Some may let you track spending, share wishlists, and preview Black Friday sales flyers.
Now is the time to download and familiarize yourself with the best mobile commerce – or m-commerce – options to save time and maximize your savings. To help you get started, I’ve compiled a list of my must-have mobile apps that every savvy shopper should download:
Target Store App: Over the past few years, retailers have added more and more incentives for shoppers to download their apps, and Target has led the way. The retailer’s flagship shopping app features gift lists, recommendations and coupons, including Cartwheel’s daily deals on toys and gifts through Christmas.
Amazon App: The e-commerce giant’s multi-dimensional app offers access to hundreds of millions of items, but more importantly, a preview of special offers and exclusive, app-exclusive Lightning Deals. Also, be sure to add items to your cart or wishlist to receive mobile notifications when prices drop. You can also easily share gift lists with friends and family, track shipments, and re-order your favorite products.
Rakuten: One of my long-time favorites, the Rakuten app offers access to lots of cash back offers from thousands of popular retailers. Stores pay a commission to Rakuten to send you their way, in turn you receive cashback when you visit a retailer through the Rakuten portal. The app also offers coupons and a generous referral program. Join (it’s free) and you’ll get $10 just for your membership when you spend $25 on purchases that qualify for cash back.
RetailMeNot: Similar to Rakuten, RetailMeNot is another shopping app that offers access to coupons and cashback from hundreds of brands, and with the DealFinder feature, you can easily stack the two for maximum savings. You’ll find coupons and cashback offers for stores, as well as restaurants, that you can use for the in-between grub. Finally, a browser extension is also available for download on Chrome or Firefox so that you are instantly alerted to offers when shopping online.
Collect Rewards: I’ll be honest, it was my 13 year old son who discovered this easy to use money making app. It is rather unique in that you scan receipts or electronic receipts from stores and restaurants, earn points and redeem them for gift cards and cash. You can scan any receipt. Each will earn you 25 points. Every 1,000 points you earn through Fetch Rewards is usually worth $1, but you can earn points faster by referring friends and accessing special offers.
Flipp: You’ll find this app especially handy when shopping for food and party supplies. You can search for circular offers and coupons by item, brand or category. The app combines local circular offers with coupons and you can link your loyalty cards and coupon offers to your card for instant savings at checkout.
Shop Savvy: If you’re a comparison shopper, this app is for you. Simply scan the barcode or enter the item you wish to purchase. Once you find a product, ShopSavvy shows you the cheapest local or online price so you know where to buy for great savings.
Black Friday ads and deals: Many Black Friday apps appear every year, but the one created by BuyVia is among the most popular. However, it is only available for iOS devices. You’ll have access to all of the Black Friday ads as they come out, plus coupons. You can select your favorite products and stores to receive personalized offers.
