Favorite new apps for saving

I'm not a huge techie, but I wanted to share a couple of new apps I recently started using on my Iphone.  I've been using coupons for as long as I can remember.  In fact, I can't even remember a time when I didn't use coupons.  I learned from my mom who sat at the kitchen table every week clipping her coupons and planning out her savings strategy for the week.  A definite requirement in a house with 5 kids and only one income.  She needed to stretch her money as far as it could go.  Once I married, I took up the weekly coupon habit.  Times were much tougher financially back then and I loved being able to save enough money that we could afford a few extra things every now and again.  As the years went on and the finances improved, I kept right on using coupons and saving.  Eventually my husband ended up working at Valassis, which is the company that prints those Redplum coupons.  Now despite what everyone thinks, no, we did not have access to a bunch of free coupons, in fact we NEVER got any "freebies".  My coupon obsession continued, now as a way to support the company my husband worked for more so than anything else, but the joy of saving never went away.  He doesn't work there anymore, and well I think it's just a habit at this point, some 21 years later.  

One of the most annoying things about couponing, is having to carry them around with you all the time.  I use store coupons, like 30% of at Kohls or 20% off at Macy's or 40% off at Joanns, because I find they can save you a lot of money when you are buying the basics, like clothing.  I have a large yellow envelope I keep in my car, but remembering to bring them with you doesn't always work, and seriously why must the coupons be all different sizes and why do they have to be so gigantic?  I really think we need some legislation that puts a size requirement on coupons.  

Anyway. . . My favorite new app is called Snip Snap.  You can take a photo of all of your store specific coupons and it stores them for your use!  No more carrying around all those coupons in my purse!  The photos are available to other people too, so if you forgot to take the photo, or don't get coupons for that store, you still have access to them.  Brilliant!  If your coupon is specific to you and can only be used once, you can mark it as private.  Again - Brilliant!  It doesn't work on manufacturers coupons just yet, but they are working on it.  Oh, and I almost forgot, when you walk into a store you have a coupon for, it reminds you that you have a coupon and when it's about to expire too.  Seriously, I am in love with this app!  And best part for last - it's FREE!  Link to Snip Snap App

The second app I'm digging is called RedLaser.  This allows you to scan the UPC code of an item, and then it searches stores for the best price!  No more wondering if it's cheaper somewhere else!  It also has a top deals section where they let you know specials at online sites or you can browse deals by store.  This could come in real handy during the Christmas shopping season.   They also have a map to show you where the other stores are and how much it is at other stores and you can purchase items through the app and have it ready for pick up when you arrive.  That's pretty handy.  But wait. . . there more!  Have a child with allergens, scan a UPC code and see the known allergens.  Pretty darn cool right? This app is also FREE and available for Iphone, android and Windows too.   Link to REDLASER app

You can also generate your own QR code that people can scan and get your phone number, email, or web address just by scanning!  

Hope these apps can help you save some major cash, maybe enough to buy yourself a Christmas present or two while you are out shopping anyway!

The opinions expressed in this post are my own and I have not been compensated in any way.

FOLLOW GIRAFFE-LEGS ON FACEBOOK - pretty please?