Your smartphone can quickly become a liability to you, instead of the lifesaving asset it should be, when all you do with it is spend airtime to make phone calls and data to surf the internet – and enjoy your favorite apps.
That’s not the case with smart people. While most people don’t make money directly from/with their mobile phones, they at least try to save as much money as they can with it.
Wondering how? Here are just 3 common ways your smartphone can save you money:
Coupon websites and apps
Coupons have been around since…forever, but mobile simply takes couponing to another level entirely.
Now you can have access to more coupons than ever, without having to spend hours (daily) clipping coupons from one newspaper to another magazine. All you have to do now is either visit your favorite store online to get their e-coupons, or visit couponing websites to browse the tons of coupons on them.
You want to make things even easier? Then download one or some of the several coupon apps out there.
In fact, life has gotten so easier that some sites allow you to use coupons without having to print them. For some rebate sites like Ibotta, all you have to do is take a snapshot of your receipt (gotten for your purchase in listed stores) and then upload it. You get the rebate (partial refund) directly in your account in few days.
Deals on software
One thing we generally use gadgets for, including our mobile phones, is download apps or software. While many apps are free, the best ones come at a cost – including the premium versions of our favorite free ones.
Another great way to save money with your mobile phone would then be finding deals on software, both for mobile and “non-mobile” gadgets. There’s an easy way to do just that. There are sites that offer software coupon codes – yes, exactly what came to your mind: you get coupon codes you can use to buy software at great discounts.
Comparison shopping
With the growth of mobile commerce (or m-commerce), it’s now easier than ever to save money shopping via your mobile. Stores have optimized their websites for mobile, and now you can seamlessly have access to dozens of stores right on your palms and at your fingertips.
To save money while shopping, all you have to do is compare the prices of whatever you want to buy across stores, and simply hand your money over to the store with the best price (but great reputation too).
If you think visiting several stores even online is stressful, then you may be right. And there’s an even better deal for you – if you don’t mind visiting at least one store physically. With apps like RedLaser, you’re able to scan the barcode on an item to find out if another retailer offers it for less.
Want to know where to find the lowest gas prices in your current location? Then try GasBuddy, a smartphone app that does just that; find cheap gas.
Doesn’t get any better.
There are tons of other ways to save money using your smartphone, but you don’t have to be near techy to begin saving money today using the 3 ways suggested here.
