These 5 Free Apps Will Make you a Savings Whiz in No Time
You’ve got a lot going on. You’ve got places to be and people to see, not to mention bills to pay and mouths to feed, and those costs can add up! But fear not, because it’s 2017 and there are apps everything — even that. Forget about trying to manage coupons, track budgets in a spreadsheet, or even having to wait for sales. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite (free) tools to help you be more mindful with your money.
The best part of this app is that you can set it and forget it. Qapital is a goal-based savings app that allows you to save at your own pace. Connect your savings account and create easy automations like depositing $5 every Monday or rounding up every purchase to the next dollar. You can even personalize your goals by linking Qapital to Apple Health and rewarding yourself for working out!
Mint is your new digital financial planner. It monitors everything from bank accounts and credit cards to loans and investments, so you can easily create and follow a detailed budget. Mint will even spell out just how much you’re spending in each category and alert you when you’re getting close to your limit. It’s is a great way to stay on track and help give your budget a boost.
Unlike the apps mentioned above, Raise allows you to save while you spend. Raise offers gift cards at a discount so you can save some money up front wherever you shop. Picking up food for your furry friend? Buy a Petco card to save 7% at checkout. Plus, most cards are delivered electronically and can be redeemed in store right from the app. It’ll even track your savings so you can see your progress (go you)!
Ok so this one isn’t really an app, it’s a Messenger bot. Like Mint, Trim analyzes your bank accounts and finds ways to, ahem, trim your spending. This bot finds any subscriptions you’re paying for and makes it easy to cancel the ones you don’t need. You can also link your VISA credit card to earn cash back when you spend at certain places. The best part? It updates you via Facebook Messenger!
Groupon is an oldie but a goodie. After downloading and saving with these first four apps, you’ll say to yourself, “Wow! I am a savings guru. I deserve a massage.” That’s when you grab a Groupon. Browse the app for hundreds of activities and experiences for you and your family or friends — all with a smaller price tag. The app alerts you when your Groupon is close to expiring so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to use your purchase.
What are your favorite money-saving apps? Tell us in the comments below!
