New 4G phone: $200
Service Contract: $30-$100/month
New Case: $10-$300
A Smart Phone is an investment. You have the world at your fingertips but at no small price. However, there are plenty of ways to actually use your smart phone to monitor your budget.
Our resident Nerd Chick,, Andrea Eldridge, has plenty of experience with how to make innovations work for you!
Here are three of their favorite apps that work with your budget to keep you on budget.
- Keep Your Bank Statement in Your Pocket: Mint.com
According to the Eldrige this website (and its accompanying app) is just as secure as your bank account since they both use the same encryption and can sync your credit, debit, loan, and saving account information together to help you create a budget. According to Eldrige, the app is super helpful because of its convenience, “The best part: once you’ve set up your accounts, Mint will keep ITSELF up to date as you spend throughout the month. That’s right, no more manually entering your transactions. There’s a smart phone application that will allow you to see everything on your phone, and it will even send you a warning notification if you’re getting close to going over budget in any category.”
- Compare Prices Virtually: http://shopsavvy.mobi/
With this app you never have to wonder if you’re getting the best deal while out shopping again. This free app works for iPhone and Android users and allows them to compare prices of an item in one store to what other retailers may be charging by just scanning the barcode with the phone’s camera. “Read user reviews to make sure it will be a good deal after you get it home and out of the packaging. After a few uses, ShopSavvy can even tailor coupons and deals to your interests and shopping history, and will show you instant coupons or rebates available on the item you’re comparing. The new “Price Drop” feature will even notify you if an item you’ve recently bought drops in price, allowing you to contact the retailer to match the price,” Edlridge says.
- Reap Your “Friendship” Benefits: www.cardmobili.com
I hate a cluttered wallet and e-mail inbox so usually turn down “membership” offers when out shopping or lunching. But, I do realize I’m missing some really good deals, especially at places I frequently shop. Cardmobili.com solves this problem. Eldrige explains, “The application stores all your rewards, membership and loyalty card numbers so that instead of “swiping your card” at checkout, you just flash your phone. It presents a barcode that can be scanned by the checker.”
With all these money saving apps (most of which are FREE!) it may be a good time to treat your Smart Phone to a new, glitzy case…just stay on budget!
