Money Saving Apps You Need to Know About

Ditch the scissors. Clipping coupons is so 2004. There are plenty of ways to discover discounts (and even earn free gift cards) just by tapping your mobile screen. Here’s how to put your smartphone to work, making you cash on the go with these great money-saving apps.

Hoteltonight
Last minute hotel deals are usually as elusive as housekeeping when you need extra pillows. That is until Hoteltonight came on the scene. Hotels give this app their unsold rooms, and you benefit by booking them last minute through your phone. These overnights can be all over the world, so there are no boundaries to your choices for your next vacation. You can book stays up to five nights in just 10 seconds. You can even choose the vibe you want, from chic and hip to cozy and charming.

RetailMeNot
Buying items like clothing, electronics, even diapers online is the way of today’s world. But we’ve all had that moment of staring blankly at the promo code spot on the checkout screen. Where do you get these mystery deal codes? Check out the RetailMeNot app, the clever mobile version of the popular money-saving site. You can find promo codes and online savings for just about any online retailer. Just search the site and they’ll share the codes, as well as feedback from other users about their success rates using those discounts.

FT Pay
First Trade Union Bank’s mobile payment app, FT Pay, gives you the power to pay at thousands of locations while also earning discount rewards toward future purchases. This LevelUp-powered app means no cash, no problem. Just download the app, link your First Trade debit card or any debit or credit card, and you can pay with your phone wherever you see the LevelUp logo. This means savings on things like your morning cup of coffee, your lunch salad, or after-work drinks at locations throughout Boston. The more you buy, the more you save money. This is the epitome of the old adage “spend money to make money.”

ShopKick
Called “addictive” by Oprah.com, Shopkick is touted as being your copilot through the shopping world. It’ll alert you to what’s in your favorite stores like Target, Macy’s, Best Buy, Old Navy, American Eagle, JCPenney, Sports Authority and Crate & Barrel. The kicker? Your trips to the shop basically earn you free gift cards. You get kicks (points) just for walking in the door, and even more kicks when you scan items and make purchases. Redeem your points for gift cards towards future purchases.

KeyRing
Stop & Shop, Michael’s Crafts, PetSmart, RiteAid—if you have to add one more reward card to your key ring, you’re going to scream. Relax with KeyRing, the virtual place to store all those dangling discount fobs. The app allows you to scan cards from places like the grocery store, gym, library, etc. It puts them directly onto your phone, so they’re there when you need them. Scanning straight from your phone at the checkout counter saves you money instantly. You can also scan gift cards, as well as get access to 67,000 coupons redeemable from your mobile device from over 13,000 brands and retailers.

With all this money-saving savvy, it seems that it actually is possible to get something for nothing.