There are so many money saving apps available right now. Wouldn’t it be nice if someone weeded through all the bad ones? Well that is what I have done! Over the years I have tried all the apps. Some turned out to be complete duds, while others have saved me hundreds of dollars. In the post I’m going to tell you about the best five money saving apps that you need to be using today.
Benefits and Considerations
First, lets talk about the benefits. Money saving apps are amazing tools for managing money and reaching saving goals. They come with many features. These include budgeting, tracking spending, saving automatically, and investing. They make it simple to take charge of your financial life.
The Benefits of Money Saving Apps
There are several advantages to using money saving apps. They can boost your financial health in many ways. Here are a few:
- Simplified Budgeting: These apps help you create and follow a budget easily. They show your income and spending clearly, making it simple to see where you can cut back.
- Automated Savings: One top feature of these apps is automatic saving. They can round up your purchases to the next dollar and save the extra, or set a percentage of your paycheck to save. This makes saving money hassle-free.
- Investment Opportunities: Many apps also let you invest your savings. They offer different investment options, like index funds. With these, you can earn more on your money.
- Financial Education: Money saving apps often offer tips and advice. They can help you better manage debt, boost your credit, and reach your financial goals.
- Convenience: You can keep track of your finances anywhere with these apps. Whether it’s checking expenses, saving progress, or updating your budget, you can do it all on your phone.
Considerations for Choosing a Money Saving App
Selecting the right money saving app requires some thought. Here are important things to think about:
- Savings Goals: Think about the savings goals you have. See if the app is designed for what you need, like saving for emergencies or retirement, or if it’s more versatile.
- App Features: Make sure the app has features that fit your saving style. Check for things like goal tracking, spending insights, investment choices, and an easy-to-use design.
- Fees: Know if there are any fees to use the app. This could be a monthly fee or extra charges for certain features, like helping with investments.
- Security Measures: Because these apps deal with your financial data, security is key. Look for apps that use strong security tech like encryption and have good user data protection.
- User Reviews: Reading what other users say about the app can be very helpful. It can give you an idea of how well the app works, its trustworthiness, and the kind of support you can expect.
Considering these points will help you find a money saving app that suits your financial plans. It will guide you closer to a more secure financial future.
5 Best Apps
In today’s digital age, saving money has never been easier thanks to a plethora of money-saving apps at our fingertips. From grocery shopping to online purchases and everything in between, there’s an app for almost every aspect of our financial lives. Among these apps, Ibotta, Flipp, Upside, Raise Marketplace, and Rakuten stand out as some of the most popular choices for savvy savers and my personal favorites. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of each:
Pros:
- Cash Back on Everyday Purchases: Ibotta offers cash back on purchases made both in-store and online at thousands of retailers, including grocery stores, restaurants, and more.
- User-Friendly Interface: The app’s interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it simple for users to browse offers, redeem rebates, and earn rewards.
- Variety of Offers: Ibotta regularly updates its offers, providing users with a wide variety of products and brands to choose from, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
- Bonus Opportunities: In addition to regular cash back offers, Ibotta frequently provides users with bonus opportunities for reaching certain milestones or completing specific tasks.
- Offers can’t be applied after purchase. To earn cash back from Ibotta, you’ll have to claim offers before you make a purchase.
- $20 threshold before transferring.
- Account maintenance fees.
Why I like Ibotta
I have been using Ibotta for years now. I have earned over $1,000! They have many different retailers, which is good for me because I like to shop around. The most common retailer that I use is Walmart. I can always capitalize on their bonus’ too. The way it works is you log in to your favorite store and click on the products that you intend to buy. After you buy them, submit your receipt and BAM- you earn money. As long as you are connected to Wifi, I have never had a problem with the app. And even though I found that there could be account maintenance fees, I have never encountered that. If you would like to try Ibotta, click the button below and use my code: jlhna
As of right now I will get $5 and you will get $5 when you submit your first receipt.
Pros:
- Weekly Ads and Circulars: Flipp aggregates weekly ads and circulars from retailers, allowing users to easily browse and compare deals in their area.
- Digital Coupons: Users can clip digital coupons directly within the app, eliminating the need for paper coupons and streamlining the savings process.
- Shopping List Functionality: Flipp’s shopping list feature lets users create and organize shopping lists, making it easy to plan their trips and stay on budget.
- Price Matching: Flipp enables users to price match items from different retailers, ensuring they get the best deal possible without having to visit multiple stores.
Cons:
- Does take time to look through and compare the ads
Why I like Flipp
As you can see from the con list, there isn’t much to not like about this app! This app is perfect for shoppers that like to shop different stores and collect those “lose leaders”. If I have the time, I shop this way. For stores that don’t have an ad (Walmart) I just go to the Walmart app and compare prices this way. It’s a win-win.
Pros:
- Cash Back on Gas Purchases: Upside specializes in providing cash back on gas purchases, making it a valuable tool for drivers looking to save money on fuel.
- Real-Time Price Comparison: The app shows users real-time gas prices at nearby stations, helping them find the cheapest options in their area.
- Instant Rewards: Users can earn instant cash back rewards by simply snapping a photo of their gas receipt or connecting their payment card within the app, making it quick and convenient to save.
- Additional Savings Opportunities: Upside occasionally offers bonus rewards and promotions, giving users even more opportunities to maximize their savings.
Cons:
- Waiting for the purchase to be verified could take a couple days
- Does not work if you pay with cash. Must use debit or credit card
Why I like Upside
This is probably my most used money saving app. I use it every time that I get gas. It’s so simple- once your payment is connected in the app, you just need to check-in when you are at the gas station. My average money back is about .20 cents a gallon. You have the option to cash out to gift cards or right into your bank account. I have earned more than $500 cash back with using this money saving app. That’s a lot of gas. If you want to save money too, click below and use my promo code: BROOKE57358
Pros:
- Discounted Gift Cards: Raise Marketplace allows users to buy and sell discounted gift cards from a wide range of retailers and brands, helping them save money on their purchases.
- Wide Selection: With thousands of gift cards available for popular retailers, restaurants, and more, users can find savings on virtually anything they need.
- Secure Transactions: Raise Marketplace prioritizes security and authenticity, ensuring that all transactions are safe and reliable.
- Seller Protection: For those looking to sell their unwanted gift cards, Raise Marketplace offers seller protection and support throughout the selling process.
Cons:
- Apps glitches
- Expensive fees for sellers
Why I like Raise Marketplace
This app is perfect if you have a favorite place that you shop or eat at often. For example, my family’s favorite place to eat is Chipotle. I go into the app and buy a discounted gift card before we go. It arrives digitally within minutes and we are ready to go. When you are ready to pay, just have the cashier scan the gift card barcode. BONUS: You can also scan your Chipotle rewards card and collect points. Again, another win-win in my book. This app is a no brainer. Click below and we will both receive $5 after your first order.
Pros:
- Cash Back at Thousands of Retailers: Rakuten partners with thousands of retailers to offer cash back on purchases made through the app, covering a wide range of categories including clothing, electronics, travel, and more.
- Browser Extension: Rakuten’s browser extension automatically notifies users of available cash back offers when they visit participating websites, ensuring they never miss out on savings.
- Double Cash Back Events: Rakuten frequently hosts double cash back events, allowing users to earn even more rewards on their purchases during select periods.
- Payment Options: Users can choose to receive their cash back rewards via PayPal or a physical check, providing flexibility in how they access their savings
Cons:
- Have to wait several months for your next cash back payout
Why I like Rakuten
When I am doing online shopping (Christmas time) I am using Rakuten. Another money saving app that I have been using for years. Even though they only payout quarterly, that check is a nice bonus to save money on items that I already plan to buy. The referral is HUGE with Rakuten. If you sign up today, you will receive a $30 bonus after you spend your first $30. If you sign up with the link below, I will also receive $30.
Conclusion
Money-saving apps like Ibotta, Flipp, Upside, Raise Marketplace, and Rakuten offer a myriad of benefits for shoppers looking to stretch their budgets further. Whether it’s earning cash back on everyday purchases, finding the best deals on gas, or buying discounted gift cards, these apps provide valuable opportunities for saving money and maximizing your purchasing power. By incorporating these apps into your financial routine, you can take control of your spending and achieve your savings goals with ease. They have definitely made a difference with my spending.