Use your smartphone to help save you cash. We round up the top 15 money-saving phone applications to download today
Use your smartphone to help save and make money by downloading the best money saving apps. We round up our top 20!
A smartphone is pricey but there is a way to help save money and make money. Yes, make money!
We've rounded up our 20 favourite money saving apps - which can be downloaded onto a whole host of gadgets including iPhone, iPad, iPod, Windows Phone and Android phones and tablets.
From never forgetting to collect your Tesco points to making money doing market research and online surveys we have rounded up all the best apps.
Don't forget to download the app when you're connected to a Wi-Fi connection so that you don't drain your data allowance - unless you're on an unlimited data contract!
And don't forget to let us know about any apps that you use that we've forgotten to include. We'd love to hear from you - email Tara_Evans@IPCMedia.com or write them in the comments below.
1. PetrolPrices Pro
You might have sussed out the cheapest place to buy petrol near you, but what about when you're driving to see friends or going on holiday? Here's where the Petrol Prices Pro app comes in handy. It gives you access to fuel prices at 11,000 petrol stations in the UK and it claims to be the only iPhone app to show you the exact price of petrol at the station you're visiting. Avoid paying the charge by using the website for free.
Price: £2.99
Available on: iPhone and iPod Touch
2. Say No To 0870
From time to time we all find ourselves needing to call a pricey 0870 number, and when you do, the saynoto0870 app is essential! You type in the premium number you're calling (it works for 0870 and 0845 numbers) and it will try to find you a cheaper version to call with an 01 or 02 prefix, which can come out of your free minutes. It doesn't work every time, but even with a 50% success rate, it could still save you a packet. If you want to avoid paying for the app then use the website for free.
Price: 69p
Available on: iPhone and Android
3. Tesco Groceries
If you're always forgetting to take your Clubcard out with you, Tesco's Groceries app will ensure you never forget to claim your points again. You can set the app up with your card number and then show it at the till to claim your points. You can also check your points balance, redeem eCoupons and vouchers and find all the best offers instore, as you're shopping!
Price: Free
Available on: iPhone, BlackBerry and Nokia smartphones
4. Skype
Downgrade your mobile contract and use the Skype mobile app to call your friends instead! Skype lets you call using the internet for free, rather than a telephone connection - so you can wave goodbye to hefty phone bills. The best bit is, if you have friends or family abroad, you can stay in contact absolutely free using this app on your phone - amazing!
Price: Free
Available on: iPhone, iPod Touch, most Nokia smartphones and Android
5. Red Laser
Turn your phone into a mean barcode-scanning machine with the Red Laser app. Take it round the shops with you and scan items that you're interested in buying. The app will then compare the product's price and tell you the cheapest alternative cost for the item. It works best with big buys like electrical appliances, rather than a tin of beans.
Price: Free
Available on: iPhone, Android and Windows Phone
6. Direct Debit Control Centre
Do you find that unexpected Direct Debit payments sometimes put you in the red and get you big bank charges as a result? This handy app will alert you before any Direct Debit is due to come out, so you've got time to move money around. all you need to do is add in all your direct debit payment dates and the app will do the rest.
Price: Free
Available on: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android
7. Onavo
If a big part of your mobile bill comes from browsing the net or going over your data allowance, this app could help you save. Onavo lowers the amount of data you use by compressing the information from any web page you visit or app you use, resulting in smaller amounts of data being transferred, which in turn, lowers the cost for you. If you ever need to use the internet on holiday, this will also stop you racking up huge bills abroad.
Price: Free
Available on: iPhone, iPad and Android
8. WhatsApp
Fancy free texts? Yes please! Download WhatsApp Messenger to your phone and get your friends and family to do the same - that way, you can text each other for free, using the same data plan that you use for email and browsing the web. It also has group chat so is great for catching up with friends and sending pictures and videos.
Price: Free
Available on: iPhone, Android and BlackBerry
9. Viber
Like WhatsApp, with Viber you can make calls and send texts that are completely free - even to friends and family abroad if they've also downloaded Viber. It uses 3G or Wi-Fi with the allowance from your existing tariff and connects up to your current address book, so you can see who already uses it. You don't need a pin or username so it's really easy to start using.
Price: Free
Available on: iPhone, iPad, Google Play, Windows Phone, Blackberry and Nokia
10. thetrainline.com
If you use travel by train, this handy app from thetrainline.com is a must. Apart from giving you info on the next train home, the app also helps you plan your trip so you can avoid peak times and the more expensive routes. A must-have if you're confused by complicated rail timetables and fares.
Price: Free
Available on: Apple, Windows Phone, Android, Blackberry and Nokia
11. musicMagpie
If you've got lots of old DVDs, CDs and games lying around, why not make some quick and easy money from them with musicMagpie? This nifty iPhone app lets you scan in your item using the phone's camera and then tells you what it's worth. You can sell your CDs etc, and check the status all from your phone.
Price: Free
Available on: iPhone and Google Play
12. mySupermarket
It can be tricky to work out the cheapest location for grocery products, so iPhone users can search for 'mySupermarket' in the App Store and compare the cost of products by scanning them in. It works out their like-for-like value (not always on multi-pack products). It'll show you the best deals in-store for different categories and products. Eventually you'll be able to send a 'basket' to your chosen store and book a delivery slot.
Price: Free
Available on: iPhone (Android will be available soon)
13. Currency converter
The XE Currency Converter app is a must-have app if you're on holiday. You can convert almost any world currency on the go with this simple calculator app which is regularly updated. It's perfect for checking prices when you're shopping and invaluable if you're bartering at markets. You can even store the last updated rates so it'll work when you don't have coverage.
Price: Free
Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, BlackBerry, Android and Windows Phone 7
14.TicketySplit
Splitting a train journey could save you money and the TicketySplit app works out the cost of walk-on train fares. This app doesn't cover advance or return tickets - only 'single' today tickets, so always double check the return price too.
Price: Free
Available on: iPhones
15. Vouchercloud
Search for vouchers in your area by using the Vouchercloud app. It locates all the nearest local deals and you can download them to your phone - no need for printing!
Price: Free
Available on: Apple products, Google, Windows Phone and Blackberry
16. Wotwine?
Wonder if the bottle of wine you're buying is worth the price? Choose your wine in the supermarket, scan the barcode and get the true 'value' of the bottle using the Wotwine? app. Experts calculate the value of bottles of wine so you don't end up buying a bottle that isn't really a good deal.
Price: Free
Avalable on: iTunes
17. Field Agent
The Field Agent iPhone app allows you to conduct small scale market research tasks...and get paid for it! Your 'mission', should you choose to accept it, is to take photos of products and pen reviews - each task usually pays £4.50, but sometimes you could get as much as £10. The money is paid back to you via PayPal and you can collect your money whenever you like.
Price: Free
Available on: iPhones
18. Kayak
Compare hundreds of travel sites to find the best deal on your hotel, flight or car booking for a holiday with Kayak. Set up price alerts so that you get notifications of when the price of something you want to book changes. Keep your eyes peeled for 'special' last minute holiday deals.
Price: Free
Available on: iTunes, Android, Windows and Amazon Kindle Fire
19. Swagbucks
The Swagbucks website pays you for your opinions. Complete a survey, watch a video or try out a tool and earn points, called Swagbucks. Once you've earned enough you can exchange them for gift cards at major stores.
At the moment you can exchange 849 Swagbucks for a £5 Amazon voucher or 1,689 for a £10 Marks & Spencer's gift card.
Price: Free
Available on: iTunes and Google Play
20. Delay Repay
This app costs 69p but it helps you submit claims for compensation if your train is delayed. If you're a regular traveller it will also monitor the line you travel on and will notify you if you can make a claim. Click 'claim' on the app to fill in the form - the Delay Repay app will do the rest.
Price: 69p
Available on: iTunes and Google Play
Where to next?
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