I bought an iPhone a few months ago, and I can now say with full confidence that it was a great purchase. At first, I was a little hesitant because of the price tag and extra $30 tacked onto my monthly bill, but this little piece of technology has definitely made a return on my investment thanks to the much-hyped application store. I’ve found some great personal finance apps over the past few weeks, all of which have helped me save nickels and dimes here and there. I’d like to share some of my favorites with you in order to help you stick to your budget and make your smartphone purchase worth while.
Gas Buddy 3.0 ($2.99)
One of my biggest pet peeves is to fill up my tank at a gas station, only to drive a few blocks down the street and find a better deal at another station. This app helps you find the best deals according to your zipcode or your present location. You can also customize your findings by setting it to the gas stations closest to you. They’ve just upgraded to Version 3.0 this month, so even if you have this app, it’s worth the upgrade.
iHandy Tip Calculator ($0.99)
Simply type in the bill amount, level of service, and number of check splits, and this app will calculate how much everyone in your party owes. You can also customize the currency and tax rate, which makes this app great for traveling.
Yowza!! Mobile Coupons (Free)
This app describes itself as “savings in your pocket,” and it really is. It calculates sales, deals, coupons, and discounts in your area on everything from restaurants to department stores. You can use the coupons straight from your screen, which means you don’t have to print them out. The app also provides a map to the deal from your current location, and it tracks your savings, which is always a nice number to look at.
ATM Hunter (Free)
Avoid those annoying ATM fees by finding the nearest ATM based on your current location. The only downside is it only works for Mastercard debit cards…
Bloomberg Mobile (Free)
With this free app, keep an eye on your investments and stay updated and informed on the latest financial news.
Compare It ($0.99)
I’m not great with math, or even doing simple calculations in my head. That’s why I love this app, because it helps you easily find the best deal at the grocery store. You can compare two different options across prices and units, and it even allows you to convert from metric to imperial. The app also shows a comparative graph with a clear icon marking the best value.
AAA Discounts (Free)
Put your AAA membership to good use! This app uses your current location to find AAA discounts near you, and provides a map to help you get to your destination. New deals and discounts are automatically updated as your current location changes, or you move your finger along the map.
PayPal (Free)
Access your account straight from your iPhone. View your transaction history, check your balance, and confirm payments, all on the go.
Cell Minute Tracker (Free)
The creators of this app included what they call the “10 essential tools to help control your phone usage”: current minute balance, rollover minute balance, data plan balance, SMS use, breakdown by family member, bill details, previous payments, overcharge protection alerts, alerts when bill is due, and bill payment. All in all, it provides a lot of useful tools in one, simple app.
ShopSavvy (Free)
Use your iPhone’s camera to scan a product’s barcode. The app will then provide comparative price listings online and at competing stores from a database of over 20,000 retailers covering over 200,000 products. If you find a better deal at a different store, the app gives you a map and directions to the competitor. You can also create a wishlist on-the-go to send out to friends and families.
