We all want to save more money.
Perhaps you want to save up for a vacation, your retirement, or a down payment on a house. Or, maybe you want to pay off your debt or build an emergency fund. Regardless of your financial goals, it’s important to take advantage of different ways to save money.
Luckily, keeping track of your money and becoming a more savvy shopper has never been easier – thanks to technology. Before you know it, you’ll be saying goodbye to clipping coupons and hello to these 9 apps that will save you money. Read on to learn more.
1. RetailMeNot
If you’re paying full price at a retailer, you are definitely paying too much. Here’s the good news: saving money doesn’t mean you have to join every store’s customer loyalty program and be bombarded with emails and deals. Instead, RetailMeNot gathers all available coupons, promo codes, and other discounts for over 50,000 major retailers and restaurants, so you never have to pay full price. Just log onto RetailMeNot, search for offers at your favorite stores, and boom, you’ll get instant savings.
2. Chime
Switching to a Chime bank account means you’ll no longer have to pay bank fees. With Chime’s Save When You Get Paid feature, you’ll save even more money. Instead of realizing you have nothing left to save at the end of the month, you can direct Chime to set aside a percentage of your paycheck automatically. The app also makes it easy to track your saving goals and progress with minimal effort. And, you can also save money through Chime’s Save When I Spend program. Every purchase you make with your Chime debit card will automatically round up to the nearest dollar, and that round-up amount will be deposited into your savings account. This is a great way to kickstart your savings goal without lifting a finger.
3. Groupon
Another great way to save on shopping, travel, activities, and services is by signing up for deals through Groupon. When you sign up, Groupon will email you daily deals in your area with deep discounts if you purchase within a certain timeframe. Whether you want to try out a sweet new yoga studio with your friends, get a luxurious massage, or go for a quick weekend getaway – you can do it all for a fraction of the price.
4. Mint
A strong budget is the best way to get control of your money and save big bucks. Mint has long been a favorite budgeting app. It offers an easy-to-use interface and a comprehensive view of your money – right at your fingertips. Mint allows you to link all your accounts in one place, as well as track your spending by automatically grouping your purchases into categories. The app’s bright and easy-to-read pie charts make it simple to understand where your money is at all times. Mint even offers a suggested budget based on your income and spending habits. You can also get reminders when it’s time to pay bills or when your account gets too low for your comfort.
5. Stash
If you’re interested in investing but don’t have a clue where to start, Stash can help get you up to speed and invest like a pro in no time. You can choose between different investing options from “Slow and Steady” to “Roll with Buffet.” Still not sure which option is best for you? Tutorials can help you decide. Stash also has a feature that helps you project your investment gains based on how much you deposit each month and how aggressive your funds are.
6. Digit
Digit is a savings app that connects to your bank account and tracks your income and spending habits to determine where it can pluck out a few dollars here and there without you noticing. Digit will make small withdrawals based on your balance and purchases – and set it aside for saving. If you decide you need that money, you can always put it right back in your checking account.
7. Acorns
Acorns is an investing app that links to your bank card and rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar. This allows you to invest those leftover pennies into financial products like stocks and bonds. You can also set up recurring deposits into your Acorns account. Just think: even a small amount each month can add up to some serious savings and gains. With Acorns’ new Found Money feature, you’ll get even more money added to your account when you shop at certain partner companies including DirecTV, Apple, Expedia, Blue Apron and more. The feature works much like a cash-back rebate, but with the money going straight into your Acorns investing account.
8. GasBuddy
If you’re looking for a quick way to save on gas, download the GasBuddy app to find the best gas station prices wherever you are. Even if you already know where to find the lowest gas prices in your town, GasBuddy is a great way to pocket extra pennies when you’re driving in an unfamiliar city or taking a road trip.
9. Ibotta
When it comes to a great rebate app, nothing beats Ibotta. You can search Ibotta for offers on items you want to buy, complete a brief “task” like take a poll or watch a short video, and then go shopping. Once you’ve uploaded your receipt to the Ibotta app, your rebate will automatically be put into your PayPal account or turned into gift cards of your choosing.
Other Ways To Save
If you don’t want to mess with a whole bunch of different apps on your phone, there are other ways to save as well. Check out our tips for more ways to save money (and time) here.
This guide is for informational purposes only. Chime does not provide financial, legal, or tax advice. You should check with your legal, financial, or tax advisor for advice specific to your situation. Your state or local unemployment agency is responsible for making all determinations on your eligibility for unemployment benefits. Please contact your state or local unemployment agency if you have questions.