Shopping with your Phone

As much as I love shopping with my sister or a friend, there is one thing I never shop without - my phone! Sure, it can't tell me if I look fat in a certain outfit I'm trying on (well...pics don't lie), but I give it a pass because it can still provide some awesome benefits. There are savings apps, there are coupon apps, each store has an app...how do you know what is worth taking up precious memory on your phone? It can be overwhelming, but I've divided my breakdown into certain sections. Start with downloading the app for the stores you shop at most.

Stores:

Cartwheel: This is Target's app. I keep it open as I shop so I can scan my items as I shop to see if there is a discount. If so I add it to my list. The app has a barcode in it that you simply have the cashier scan prior to payment and it takes off whatever percent savings were available for your purchases. You can prep ahead of time but searching through the categories to find what items have discounts as well. Target has a "Target" app as well, you can shop through it and also save your "virtual wallet" in there - aka keep all your gift cards virtually so you don't lose them. This is nice since Target often gives you a $5 or $10 card with certain purchases.

Walmart: section of their app is called savings catcher. After shopping make sure to scan your receipt. The app will cross check prices for the items you purchased within so many miles. My store no longer price matches so this is the only way to go about it now. You can cash out your money to a Walmart gift card very easily.

Dunkin Donuts / Starbucks: Both provide you with a free beverage when you download their app and enroll in their rewards programs. You can load your gift cards and paying with the linked card helps you earn rewards. If you are frequenting your favorite coffee shop, then why are you turning down free coffee? There are other perks as well, both have special offers and coupons for customers paying with the app. DD let's you grab a free medium hot or iced coffee every morning after an Eagles win (Philly area). Starbucks pairs with some other companies, recently I added $10 to the app with my Chase VISA and got enough rewards for 2 free coffees. Both apps let you order ahead as well, which is a HUGE benefit for Starbucks when there is a long line you don't feel like waiting in.

CVS: Load discounts and coupons onto your extra care card and don't worry about carrying it all around. Just browse the my deals & rewards section and hit add to card. Simple as that! You can even manage your prescriptions and refills by scanning prescription bottles.

Kohls: Prior to the app every time I went to shop at Kohls I had more documents with me then needed to apply for a mortgage. Keep the coupons, Kohls cash and reward dollars all in your virtual wallet here. This is great because if you got a 15% coupon in the mail, and there is a 30% code you found online, you can add the 30% code to the app. In the past you would have needed to shop online, but no more!

Price checking:

Red Laser: Red Laser is a price checking app that scans the barcode of an item and searching locally and online for lower prices. I do this for impulse purchases to see if it's cheaper online. I have literally stood in the toy aisle at Walmart, scanned the item, saw it was cheaper on Amazon and ordered it from Amazon. Because even though it was an impulse buy, I can still wait 2 days (yay for prime shipping!). Other similar apps include BuyVia, ShopSavvy Purchx (which shows user reviews as well), Amazon price check (only compares to Amazon) and ScanLife.

Decide: This is a price predictor app. It will let you set price alerts to track products and helps you determine if a deal is a good one. Just because something is on sale does NOT make it a deal! Find the lowest price and decide if now is the time to buy or if you can wait.

Coupons:

Coupon Sherpa and Retail Me Not: great apps for clothing stores. Both compile internet coupons from a variety of stores into one spot! I use Retail Me Not personally, and it includes coupons to print and coupons that can be scanned on your phone. If you plan ahead you can be sure to print them out for every store you may hit in the mall, if you are doing it while standing in line to pay, you may be more limited by what coupons are virtual. A lot of stores let you show the coupon on your phone these days as well, so it just depends where you are shopping how you want to approach it.

Miscellaneous:

Curbside: You wanted to leave your house but didn't want to go in the store? Or you are on the go with a sleeping baby and can't get out of the car? Curbside is the app for you. Shop online and have it ready for pick up. Target, CVS, Sephora, and other stores that are in malls so you'd be out of a car already...but it's an easy way to skip the line. Some retailers offers discounts like $10 off your first purchase when you place your first order for them through the app.

Raise: A website/app that sells discounted gift cards. You receive them instantly to your email. If you are out at gap, why not do a quick search and save 10% by quickly buying a discounted gift card and using it to pay for your items. You can of course do this ahead of time, but if you are like me you whisper to yourself "I'm just going to go in to look"...and then all the sudden you arms are full of items.

Shopkick: A great app if you are killing time and just browsing products. You are given a list of items to scan in a specific store and then give you back "kicks" which are rewards. You can redeem them for gift cards. I wish I had time to roam stores and do this, but...kids.

Best part is? These apps are FREE. Don't pay money to save money!

Let me know what you think, have you used these apps? Did I forget a favorite of yours? Anyone score any amazing rewards just from using an app? Leave feedback in the comments below.


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