If you are anything like me, your smart phone is surgically grafted to your palm 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. After all, why wouldn't it be? Smart phones give us scads of apps, games and social connectivity all in one easy to use handheld device; making them the closest thing to a technological essential that I have ever seen -- Siri notwithstanding. However, instead of chalking up your smart phone habits to unhealthy co-dependence, it is time to pick up a new mantle, fellow 'frugalistas'. The dependence on our smart phones is actually the best news since sliced bread and pockets on jeans when it comes to money management. In fact, you can save hundreds of dollars a year when you start using these six handy dandy apps.
No. 1: RedLaser
Best feature: Instant comparison-shopping
Cost: Free
Supported on: Android, iPhone, Windows Phone 7
What it does: Simply take a photo of a product's bar code (literally any item) in the RedLaser app. The app automatically searches, compares and spits out the best available prices for all online and brick-and-mortar shops within a few mile radius. For added convenience, you can "Buy it Now" direct through the app, once you find the lowest priced, bargain basement sale. Don't feel like taking photos of bar codes? No problem. Simply type whatever it is you are looking for into the search bar and let Red Laser do the rest.
No. 2: Slice
Best feature: Deal hunting
Cost: Free
Supported on: Android, iPhone
What it does: Slice synchs with your Gmail or Yahoo accounts and (when opened) immediately goes hunting in your inbox, automatically keeping track of your shipped orders and alerting you to price drops that can help you take advantage of adjustments at merchants offering this. (Some adjustment-happy merchants are Wal-Mart, Kohl's and Target).
No. 3: Retail Me Not
Best feature: Getting exclusive deals
Cost: Free
Supported on: iPhone
What it does: Retail Me Not gives you access to literally tens of thousands of retailer coupons and deals in the blink of an eye, and all of them are convenient to you. You can do your shopping online, direct from your phone and drag promotional codes from Retail Me Not into the website for money saving boosts or even redeem coupons direct from the app in store -- no printer necessary.
No. 4: Eyeona
Best feature: Saving money after the sale
Cost: Free
Supported on: Android, iPhone
What it does: Price adjustments are a killer way to make money, and most retailers will give you the hook up if you keep your eyes peeled. However, if you don't have time to shop ads like a crazy person, this is the app for you. Simply snap a photo of your receipt and if something you bought goes on sale in the next 30-days, the app alerts you to that discount. After that, all you have to do is run down to the store and collect the difference.
No. 5: Coupon Sherpa
Best feature: Actually using coupons
Cost: Free
Supported on: Android, iPhone
What it does: Stores today are starting to get with the program when it comes to the business of couponing for massive savings, and this app is on the technological front lines. There is no need to clip, store and organize, simply flash your coupon to the clerk at a participating store and enjoy your discounts.
No. 6: Key Ring
Best feature: Stores all of your loyalty cards
Cost: Free
Supported on: Android, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry
What it does: For quite some time, I was lost in a sea of loyalty cards -- after all, I do love my discounts -- and sometimes searching for the loyalty card to my favorite store took longer than I wanted it to. Now, I just take a picture of the ID number for each card and store it in this app. From there on out, it is ready to use whenever I am ready to use it, and I never leave any savings behind.
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