Money Saving Monday: 5 smartphone apps to save you money

I've recently entered the current decade by getting a smartphone. It's a blessing and a curse. The downside is that my kids have figured out how to work it and can play games anytime they want. (And now they think all phones are like little computers, so they are disappointed when Mckay's old/reliable non-smartphone doesn't do much. It has a color screen! What more do they want?!) The nice thing about a smartphone (beside the obvious Google map and internet access implications) is access to some nice money saving apps. And they're all FREE. For those without a smartphone, you'll like to know that a few of these programs can be used on a computer as well.

1) Target Cartwheel has hundreds of percent-off offers on Target items. Anything from food to apparel, diapers to toys, electronics to outdoor: if Target sells it you can find a Cartwheel offer for it. You can start out redeeming up to 10 offers at a time. As you use Cartwheel more and more, you can unlock extra spots. Each offer can be applied to as many as four like items. To redeem, you show the bar code on your phone or tablet screen to be scanned by the cashier at checkout. You can also use Cartwheel on your computer by printing the bar code at home before going to Target (much like a coupon) and having it scanned at checkout.

Why I like it: As I mentioned last week, you can triple your savings at Target by combining a Cartwheel offer with a Target store coupon AND a manufacturer coupon. The Cartwheel discount is applied after Target coupons and before manufacturer coupons.


The next four apps on my list are cash back apps. To use them, you take a picture of your receipt showing the correct item purchased, and then the discount amount is added to your account. When you reach a certain cash back threshold (the amount is different for each app) you can "cash out" your account and get your money through pay-pal, bank deposit or in the form of gift cards. (Let's be honest here: Amazon gift cards are practically cash.)

2) Checkout 51 - This is one that you can use with or without a smartphone.  Look through the offers and buy the products at ANY store. Upload your receipt to Checkout 51. It's easiest to do this with a smartphone, but you can also use a computer's camera or even a digital point-and-shoot to upload pictures of your receipt. Your purchase will be confirmed within 24 hours and your account will be credited. When your account balance reaches $20 you can cash out and a check will be mailed to you. A few things to keep in mind:

• Offers are available in limited quantities. If you see an offer you want, upload your receipt immediately after purchase to avoid missing out. (This applies to most all cash back programs.)
• Offers run from Thursday to Wednesday. You must upload your receipts while the offer is live.

Why I like it: Checkout 51 has a fresh produce offer each week.  There is always a $0.25 off produce offer on things like grapes, tomatoes, limes, lettuce, carrots, apples, etc. Bananas are always on there. We eat a lot of bananas in our house, so even if I'm not redeeming anything else that week, I know I can always save 25 cents on bananas each week.

3) Ibotta is one of the better know cash back apps. You use it much like the other ones: choose your offers, scan your receipt, get cash on your account. With Ibotta, you'll need to scan the barcode on the the purchased item as added proof that you bought the correct item. Ibotta has offers for most grocery stores, and even has offers for non-grocery stores like Best Buy and clothing stores/website. You'll have to unlock each offer to access it by answering a question or reading a fun fact about the product. It takes 10 seconds.

Why I like it: Ibotta often has an offer for milk. Most households in America buy milk regularly, so that alone will convince a lot of people. In addition to the regular coupon-like offers you'll see for a specific brand, Ibotta will often have offers to be used on any brand of an item. Things like shredded cheese, eggs, bread, ice cream: ANY brand. You can cash out with Ibotta at $10 through Paypal, Venmo or your choice of gift card, like Amazon.

If you are interested in using Ibotta, you can sign up here or use my referral code: pwevujy. Not only does that link me as your friend so we can both earn a teamwork bonus each month, but it gives me a little referral bonus. I'm not sure how much. Someone click and I'll find out. ;)     

4) Snap - by Groupon. The offers on here can go really fast so check frequently and redeem quickly. The offers available on Snap range from cleaning products to food to magazines. They often have fresh produce offers that get used up quickly. Snap can be used on a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Why I like it: Snap can be used at any store. Sometimes they'll have milk offers. (The "used" milk offer in the picture above was for $1 off a gallon!) Snap also has occasional any brand offers. The offers are random and change often so, like I said, check frequently. You can cash out at $20. Use this referral link if you're interested in using Snap and I'll get a whole dollar after you redeem your first offer! Come on big money!

5) Saving Star - Saving Star works differently depending on the store. For some stores you will scan the product barcodes and upload a receipt. For some stores with a loyalty shoppers card, the Saving Star offer will be connected to your card and the discount will be applied automatically to your Saving Star account after purchase. Check their website for details on specific stores.

Why I like it: There are offers unique to Saving Star, but they also have a lot of the same offers you would find on coupons.com or from Kroger's website. This means you can stock up with several of the same product when it's on sale and still get a good deal. Saving Star has a Friday Freebie offer to get something completely free (usually candy, gum or a snack food). There's also a healthy offer every Tuesday for 20% off a produce item. I've seen offers for oranges, lettuce, bananas, apples, your basic, common produce. You can cash out to Paypal or directly to your bank account.

Like I said last week,  coupons will only save you money if it's a good buying price for an item you're going to use. The same applies for these cash back programs. Shop wisely and try not to buy unnecessary things just to get the cash back from it. I can consistently save at least $1 or $2 each week with these apps depending on the offers.

So, check some of these out. See if you like them. Use them. And let me know if you use any other money saving apps. I'm always interested in trying new ones.



Other apps:

• BerryCart - Cash back on organic, gluten-free and Non-GMO foods.

• Walmart Savings Catcher - This app does the price matching for you. Scan the QR code on your receipt AFTER purchase and the app will search for advertised deals. If any other store had a better deal on something you bought, the difference is added to your account.