I hope you checked out some of the restaurant and gas apps I recommended in Part 1 of Using Apps to Save Money. If you missed it, that post can be found here. Since almost everyone has a smartphone nowadays and money-saving apps are free to download, it’s definitely something easy you can use to save a few dollars. This week we will focus on apps that can be used at any store, which are typically referred to as third party apps. Again, I am only mentioning apps that meet the following criteria: I’ve personally downloaded and used them, the app saves you money, and the app is easy to use.
Grocery Store Apps - If you haven’t downloaded and used the Walmart app, you are missing out. It’s so easy to make a grocery pick-up order and not having to go inside the store not only saves you time but can also help you stick to your budget. There are no impulse buys plus you can see your sub-total in the app as you add items to your order. I use the Walmart app most weeks for a grocery pick-up order and one of my favorite features is that it remembers your items from week to week. It will even remind you if you forget something like milk or bread - how cool is that? Not to mention there are many offers to save money such as manufacturer’s digital coupons as well as Walmart Cash you can earn by buying certain items (usually you have to buy two of the same item, but not always).
We will soon be getting a Publix a mere 15 minutes from where I live and my family cannot wait. Every time we drive by the site where the Publix is being built, this conversation ensues:
"How much longer is it going to take?" (said with a whiny voice)
"Oh look how much they've gotten done since last time we drove by!" (said with equal amounts of excitement and anticipation)
"Mom - can we come on opening day?" (said by my teenage son)
"We may never have to go to Walmart again..." (said by me optimistically)
The Publix app also allows pick-up orders but also has coupons you can use by just clicking a box in the app or by simply entering your phone number at checkout if you prefer to shop inside the store. Publix is the place where shopping is a pleasure, after all. The Winn-Dixie app is similar and has rewards available that build up over time and your phone number can also be entered at checkout. I hope you give one of these grocery store apps a try since they’re easy to use and can save you money every week.
Third Party Apps - There are so many apps out there that allow you to save money. One of the easiest apps I’ve found to use is Fetch. With Fetch, you take a picture of any receipt using the app and earn points which can be easily cashed in for gift cards to places like restaurants, Amazon, and even Walmart. Fetch also has the option to link your email account, your Walmart account, and your Amazon account to earn even more points. This can be especially helpful if you lose your printed receipt since the app can simply pull your purchases from your linked account(s). Ibotta is similar to Fetch and so is Rakuten. Basically these apps partner with stores and brands to get customers to buy products and/or shop at their stores and earn a commission for sending customers their way. That commission is then split between you (the consumer) and the app so it’s a win-win situation. All three of the third party apps I mentioned offer bonuses if you sign up and then have a friend sign up, too, using a referral link so it’s pretty easy to start earning points. I hope you check them out!
This wraps up Part 2 of Using Apps to Save Money. Part 3 will focus on apps that help you boost your savings as well as apps you can download to make money as a side hustle.
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