How many people do you know who don’t have a smartphone?
Probably very few, if any at all. Right?
According to a Pew Research Center survey from November 2016, almost 80% of Americans now own a smartphone.
Cell phones are a great tool, but they are also very expensive. And of course, to use your smartphone to its full capacity, you also need a phone plan.
Cell phone plans aren’t exactly cheap either. And they seem to be getting more expensive every year.
The amount Americans spend for cellular service increased from $608 per consumer in 2007 to $963 in 2014.
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This is an increase of 58.4%!
We already shared a few ways for you to save money on your cell phone bills, as well as a few very cheap cell phone plans.
But today, we’re going to show you how your device itself can actually help you save money on just about anything you can imagine.
Let’s explore various ways you can get a return on your smartphone investment and save some cold hard cash.
Table of Contents
– Compare Prices
Lots of price comparison apps allow you to scan a barcode and search an item, letting you know where to get the best deal and maximum savings.
Here are a few that you can install on your phone so you can compare prices on the go:
1. Amazon
While in any store, you can swipe an item’s barcode with the Amazon app to perform a quick price check.
Just use the camera icon next to the search bar to scan the item.
Where to get it:
2. Walmart Savings Catcher
The Walmart Savings Catcher is a feature of the Walmart app.
After shopping, scan your receipts to compare prices of some items against competitors’ prices/deals.
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If you overpaid, you will receive the difference back on a Walmart eGift card.
Where to get it:
3. ShopSavvy
ShopSavvy is a smart way to find discounts.
It also lists major sales at popular stores and works as a barcode and SKU finder.
Where to get it:
4. BuyVia
If you are looking for a tech gift, BuyVia is for you.
Not only does it let you set up location-based alerts for elusive gifts, but it also compares prices at national and local retailers.
You can also use BuyVia’s UPC barcode scanner to compare prices.
BuyVia also includes reviews, product descriptions, and gift recommendations.
Where to get it:
5. Purchx
Like the above apps, Purchx allows you to compare prices and get info, but it also encourages you to earn points by submitting product reviews.
Because of this reward program, Purchx is also a great source for user reviews.
Where to get it:
6. ScanLife
You can compare prices both online and locally with ScanLife.
It offers user reviews, the ability to share deals on Facebook and a point-based gift card reward program.
Where to get it:
7. Shop for Kids by TTPM
The hunt for popular toys can be frustrating, especially around holidays.
Shop for Kids can save your sanity and your pocketbook.
The app puts toys, electronics, sporting goods, and other gifts right at your fingertips while comparing prices across stores.
You can search, browse, or scan a barcode to compare prices, watch video reviews and find the perfect gift.
Where to get it:
– Collect Coupons and Earn Rebates
Smartphone apps offer us the opportunity to save big bucks on groceries, restaurants, apparel, health, beauty, and more via coupons and rebates.
Here are some of the best coupon apps that are easy to use on the go:
8. Ibotta
Ibotta connects users with instant rebates.
You can find savings on items from many retailers in a variety of categories.
Ibotta’s product list is updated weekly.
You simply complete a short, related task, like filling out a survey or watching a video to earn rebates.
After you check out, take a picture of your receipt with the app.
Rebates come in cash or self-selected gift cards.
Where to get it:
9. Checkout 51
Looking for good deals?
Want an app that is easy to use?
Then, why not give Checkout 51 a try?
The app works a lot like Ibotta, but you receive your rebates via a check after you earn $20 in your account.
The app offers discounts at a variety of stores and updates its deals on Thursdays.
Where to get it:
10. SavingStar
SavingStar claims to have the best offers for major brands at the most retailers.
The app links with your supermarket and drugstore loyalty cards and populates a list of available savings.
You only need to earn $5 before you can request your rebate paid via direct deposit, PayPal or directly to a charity.
Where to get it:
11. RetailMeNot
Whether shopping online or at a brick-and-mortar store, RetailMeNot offers more than 500,000 bargains at more than 50,000 retailers.
You can customize your geographic location and develop a favorites list.
It is really easy to use.
When making a purchase, just look up the coupon, and the cashier will scan it directly from your smartphone.
Where to get it:
12. SnipSnap
SnipSnap transforms paper coupons into mobile-friendly offers.
Capture a photo of the paper coupon with the app and show the cashier the mobile offer on your smartphone when paying for your items.
Currently, the app only works for individual retailer coupons, like ones issued by stores, restaurants, and local businesses, so it does not work with manufacturer’s coupons.
Where to get it:
13. Grocery IQ
Grocery IQ allows you to build shopping lists and then grab coupons that match your items on your list.
Drawing its deals from Coupons.com, the app automatically downloads coupons to your supermarket loyalty card or allows you to print the coupons out.
It constantly updates savings and gives users a wide selection of discounts.
Where to get it:
14. Grocery Smarts
Grocery Smarts makes it possible to discover both coupons and circulars.
The app matches coupons with weekly sales at five major stores, Target, Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid and Wal-Mart.
It is a top choice for hardcore couponers who shop at those stores.
Where to get it:
15. Southern Savers
Southern Savers will actually teach you how to coupon effectively.
The site even offers a free online couponing class to teach you how to find groceries on sale at rock bottom prices.
The app allows you to add on coupons and save even more money.
It includes the latest coupons and deals while allowing you to make shopping lists, search for current specials, and track your savings.
Where to get it:
16. Favado
Favado claims it can cut your grocery bill in half by helping you discover the best deals and compare prices at local stores.
The app notifies you when items you need are on sale and gathers coupons from more than 65,000 grocery and drug stores.
Where to get it:
17. Ebates
Ebates can help you earn up to 25% cash back from more than 2,000 retailers by allowing you browse stores for best deals and cash back offers.
That makes Ebates one of the best cash back sites, and its app one of the most effective ones at saving you money with rebates.
Stores pay Ebates a commission for helping bring in customers.
Then, Ebates shares the commission with you as cash back.
The app makes things simple. There are no points to redeem, no forms to mail and no fees.
You even get a free $10 Walmart gift card or $10 Ebates bonus when you sign up.
Where to get it:
19. Receipt Hog
Receipt Hog puts the fun in earning cash back.
This colorful app makes a game of transforming receipts from everyday shopping into cash back.
You shop anywhere and buy anything then snap a photo of your receipt in the app.
You can get bonuses playing hog slots, take paid surveys, win shopping trips and redeem coins for prizes, like Amazon gift cards, magazines, and PayPal deposits.
Where to get it:
20. Apples2Oranges
Apples2Oranges is a price comparison and unit conversion app that lets you compare two prices even when the items are different sizes. In one step, you can convert, compare and calculate.
You can compare items by weight or units, calories, sodium, sugar or any other nutritional values, so it is great for dieting and meal planning.
Android users are at a loss; the app is currently only available for iPhones.
Where to get it:
21. Target Cartwheel
Target’s Cartwheel app can knock 5-50% off the price of hundreds of items.
Simply scan your barcode at checkout to apply the savings, which are broken down into categories and collections.
Where to get it:
22. Substitutions
While only available for iPhone, the Substitutions app can save money and an extra trip to the store.
How?
By recommending substitutions for products only used in one recipe or those accidentally left off your shopping list.
Where to get it:
– Find Fee-Free ATMs
ATM fees can be ridiculous, but your smartphone can help you find free spots to withdraw money.
23. Your Bank
Pull up Google Maps (or the map app of your choice) on your smartphone to locate your bank’s ATMs, which are always free for you to use.
24. CO-OP Networks
Members of Credit Unions that are parts of CO-OP networks usually have access to more than 300,000 free ATMs nationwide.
These ATMs are located at the Credit Unions or retail outlets.
Visit www.CO-OPATM.org, to search for nearby ATMs and download free ATM locator apps.
– Keep Digital Copies of Discount Cards
Your smartphone is like a digital wallet for all of your cost-saving discount cards because there are a ton of apps that allow you to keep digital copies of these cards all in one place.
Here are some of the best ones:
25. Key Ring
Once a basic mobile wallet for loyalty cards, Key Ring has evolved into a shopping solution, which provides consumers exclusive deals from a variety of brands.
You can plan, save and organize your discount cards, weekly ads, coupons, and shopping lists – all in one app.
Where to get it:
26. Stocard
Quick and easy to use, Stocard allows you to add your loyalty cards to the app in seconds.
When checking out, simply show the app to the cashier to receive your points.
The app also features exclusive offers, coupons, flyers, and circulars.
You can even save Passbook or Apple Wallet passes, airline tickets and gift cards in Stocard.
Where to get it:
– Rack up Savings on Travel
Luckily, you can take your smartphone everywhere, and it can save you money along the way.
27. Rome2Rio
By taking the guesswork out of planning your transportation, Rome2Rio can save you some serious cash.
Just plug in your origin and destination, and the app helps you find the best modes of transportation and includes the approximate time each option will take.
You can also view previous searches offline and save money on data usage.
Where to get it:
28. SkipLagged
Experience the world with ease through SkipLagged.
The app exposes industry secrets to save you up to 80% on airfares.
The app and website can also help you find deals on hotels around the world.
Where to get it:
29. HERE WeGo
HERE WeGo saves you money on phone charges overseas by allowing you to download maps for 1,300 cities across 110 countries and then view them online.
The maps do take awhile to download from the app, so be sure you have them saved on your device before you take off.
Where to get it:
– Save on Gas
With gas prices being as high as they are, saving money on gas has become a priority for most of us.
Thankfully, your smartphone is here to help you save on your fuel as well.
30. GasBuddy
As the leader in crowdsourced information on gas stations, GasBuddy helps you find the best gas prices, closest stations, and cleanest restrooms.
We actually posted a GasBuddy app review a while back.
The app and website provide real-time fuel prices for more than 140,000 gas stations in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Tools include a trip cost calculator, gas price charts and a gas price heat map.
Where to get it:
31. Waze
Like GasBuddy, Waze uses crowdsourcing to find cheap gas near you.
But, the app can also save you time and money by providing information on traffic and road hazards in real time.
The app includes info on law enforcement traps, closed roads, and accidents.
For those of you with long commutes, Waze can help you save fuel by avoiding traffic jams and providing alternate routes.
Where to get it:
– Save on Calls and Texts
Who needs expensive data when you have free wifi?
Experts forecast that mobile calling on wi-fi will make up more than half of all voice calling by 2020.
When you place a call on Wwi-fi, the call goes over your current internet network, instead of through a cell tower.
All you need to do is enable the feature on your phone and download an app.
32. Skype
Download Skype to make free calls to your friends and family members via wi-fi.
You can video or voice call people all over the world, hop in on group video calls, and utilize Skype instant messaging all for free.
Where to get it:
33. Facebook Messenger
Facebook’s standalone messaging app, Messenger, is great for wi-fi video and voice calls.
The free app also allows you send unlimited single or group messages to others who have the app, regardless of whether they are on Facebook or not.
Where to get it:
34. Google Duo
If quality video chatting is what you crave, Google Duo is the free app for you.
After downloading the app, you can make unlimited free video calls to anyone else who also has the app.
Where to get it:
35. Google Hangouts
Anyone with a Gmail account can access Hangouts by Google.
The app allows friend and group conversations, video and voice calls, and synchronization across devices.
Where to get it:
Final thoughts
There you have it!
Use some of these approaches and your phone will be earning its keep in no time.
Tell us how you save money with your smartphone in the comments below.
Share your thoughts