Everywhere we look, it seems like “there’s an app for that,” and while many apps can help you save money, many more are just a reason to pay for yet another download. Which ones are destined to cut your budget in a significant way? We test drove six of the best and found that there really was money to be saved!
Mint
Platform: iPhone (Android coming soon)
This popular iPhone app from the people who gave you Mint.com is truly a lifesaver (and a
money saver.) It’s an all-in-one destination for tracking spending and
monitoring activity. Designed to help you always be on top of your
financial accounts, you’ll get updates when your checking account dips
below a level of comfort, or when your credit card limit is in danger of
being breached. Those who bank online will love taking their access a
step further, and when a strange guy you’ve never met buys Broadway
tickets with your debit card – you won’t be the last to know.
ShopSavvy
Platform: iPhone, Android, Nokia
Perhaps one of the most exciting shopping applications, ShopSavvy by
Big in Japan combines the bar code scanning capabilities of popular
comparison tools with the search engine results you’ve come to expect
from the best
shopping websites. Able to scan the bar codes from the back of software,
CDs, books, and more, it gives an accurate description of the product,
as well as where you can find it for cheap (with a map and option to
call the store directly, no less). Fortunately for iPhone lovers, this
always-reliable app is now available for more than just the Android
crowd. Released in the Apple store and as a trustworthy shopping
companion for Nokia, it can give you in-store and online results in a
flash, saving you more than just pennies on that latest Halo
release.
RepairPal
Platform: iPhone (mobile web capabilities for all other
platforms)
Driving a 15-year-old vehicle, repairs are just part of my daily
life. When faced with the decision to suck up a maintenance bill or
consider letting the old car go, there is an app that helps me make a
more informed decision. RepairPal is a simple application that uses
your car’s make, model, and year to determine the cost for common
repairs. Based on zip code, it can tell you if it’s more affordable to
get the job done locally or in the next town over. While the price
range for some repairs can be rather varied, it does a great job of
breaking down how much of a bill is for parts, and what can be expected
for labor. (The handy notes also give you an idea of where you may be
prompted for permission to do additional repairs, which can give even
the most clueless driver a leg up when working with an up-sell crazy
repairman.)
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