Investing in a smart phone, tablet computer, or other mobile device provides more than the ability to keep in touch with the world.
It also grants access to thousands of mobile apps, some of which are designed to save consumers money.
There are apps for everything from establishing a budget and keeping track of bills to locating excellent prices on food, fuel, and delicious meals.
UK residents can access these from the palms of their hands when they are riding the train, walking down the street, or relaxing in the park.
Budgeting Apps
Financial responsibility involves knowing how much money is available for spending and preventing outgoings from exceeding this amount. Many people are not budget-savvy and there are now mobile apps that make it easy to track spending.
Piggie is a free iPhone app that enables users to input and organize their spending and review it to identify areas where outgoings should be reduced. Account Tracker serves a similar purpose but costs £1.99 (a free lite version is also available). Considered one of the best budgeting apps, it allows users to keep track of their outgoings, credit cards, and bank accounts through a single interface.
The £1.22 Bill Tracker iPhone app is designed for people who have trouble keeping track of their monthly bills. It stores account details, provides a calendar-based reminder for scheduled payments, and maintains a history of payments made. Meter Readings is an iPhone app available for £1.49 that enables users to enter energy meter readings to ensure that their bills are correct. Many people use this app to help manage their home energy usage so they do not overspend.
Frugal Friday Tip: Money-Saving Apps
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Apps Designed For Communication
Skype offers a free app for iPhone, Android, and Symbian that enables users to keep in touch with others who live abroad. Video calls between Skype users are free and international phone calling is available on a subscription or pay-as-you-go basis. Either option is typically less expensive than using an international call plan. The free Windows Live Messenger app is available for nearly all Internet-enabled phones and includes free instant messaging, video calls, and photo sharing.
Using Apps To Save On Almost Everything
Regular expenditures for clothing, dining, travel, and more can add up but discounts are available for people who know where to look. Researching has become easier thanks to mobile apps like the free Local Sale Finder for iPhone, which provides a list of deals for these items and many more based on the postcode entered. The MyVoucher Codes app for iPhone is free and offers access to more than 2,000 discount codes for everything from clothes to restaurant dining.
Bargain hunters will love the free Android and iPhone app called RedLaser because it lets them instantly compare the costs of products so they can get the best deals. Scan the barcode of a desired item in a store and the app will find prices available from other retailers.
The iPad and iPhone app Quidco allows consumers to make money by performing simple tasks such as checking in at a participating store. This free app will soon be available for Android phones, making it possible for even more people to earn cash back without purchasing anything.
Hot Deals UK costs 69p and collects top promotions and deals from retailers for a variety of products and services. Users can save their favorites and email these to others. Group buyingis an emerging trend for saving money, allowing shoppers in local areas to band together to receive huge discounts on popular products and services. The free LivingSocial app for iPhone gives users access to daily deals for their postcodes and lets them make purchases on the spot.
For £2.99 a year, iPhone users can purchase the PetroPrices Pro app to compare prices from all major petrol providers within a designated area to determine which offers the best deal. Regular use of this app can save drivers a lot of money and justifies the annual subscription cost. Those who are really watching their outgoings can pay just 69p for the Fuel School app to receive GPS-based tips for eco-friendly driving, car maintenance, and ways to improve fuel mileage.
MySupermarket Mobile is a free app that helps supermarket shoppers find the best deals. Users can compare product prices at major supermarkets and find out whether the store they are in is offering a cheaper alternative. Shoppers who are short on cash can use the free Cashpointer app to find the nearest cash point in their area and what it charges.
There is even an app that identifies free parking spaces in a designated area. Spending £2.99 for the Nosey Parker app can save huge on parking costs over the long-term.
Specialized Apps
People who are interested in purchasing homes can save money on their mortgages by using the £1.49 Mortgage Mentor app. Homeowners who are interested in shortening the length of their existing mortgages or remortgaging can also identify money-saving options by using this app. Individuals who want to track the financial markets at all times should download the free iPhone app called Shareprice, which offers real-time streaming.
If they register their trading account, they can use the free Interactive Markets Mobile app to trade Forex, CFDS, and spread bets.
Customers of Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest can check account balances, access mini-statements, and manage money from their mobile devices by registering for mobile phone banking and using the free app provided by each institution. First Direct also offers a free banking app that includes services similar to the NatWest app.
UK residents can save money on holiday by using a currency conversion app. eCurrency costs 59p and allows users to convert more than 190 currencies and the same-priced iCurrency Pad supports conversion of more than 150 currencies. Currency.app costs £1.79 and provides updated exchange rates for more than 70 currencies so shoppers will know the true costs of their purchases.
Use these apps and many more to save money wherever you take a smartphone, tablet, or other mobile device.
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