Finances can be tricky. Trying to remember to balance one’s checkbook can lead to a more than a few fees that can accrue simply because of neglect and innocent oversight. Keeping up with money can be so hard, that some often run short unnecessarily.
Luckily, smart phones have made possible a plethora of apps which can help keep the absent-minded (and their money) a bit more in check.
Here are four Iphone apps which greatly help in keeping track of finances and saving money:
1 – GasBuddy
GasBuddy’s website has been around for a few years and it has always helped me find the cheapest gas in town. With this app, you can use GPS to find the the cheapest gas near to you. GasBuddy allows you to sort results by distance (in case you need gas in a pinch) or price (in case your wallet is tight). It’s extremely helpful and can be personalized by fuel type, distance unit, and more. Best of all, it can be downloaded for free from the App Store.
2 – Mint.com
This app lets you set budgets for yourself and input transactions as they occur. It’s helpful because it will tell you if you’ve gone over your spending limit or not. It connects to your bank account so you know how much money you have left in it. Many people run out of money quickly because they use debit cards instead of cash. This app makes it so that you can continue to use your debit card but still have knowledge of how much money is left in your account. It is free in the App Store, but you’ll need to register an account in order to use it.
3 – TurboTax SnapTax
This app lets you take a picture of your W-2, answer a couple of questions, then efile your taxes straight from your phone. It’s extremely helpful if you don’t have a lot of time to do your taxes. It’s quick, secure and right in front of you most of the time. It is free in the App Store but it does cost $24.99 after you have submitted your tax returns.
4 – Groupon
Groupon shows you many personalized coupons in your area (and beyond). It’s a good way to get a discount on things you like. You can get anything from a discount on your vacation to a half price steak dinner. It’s free in the App Store (but the coupons cost money) and signup takes less than a minute.
Most of these apps can be found for the Android too. Countless other apps didn’t make the list, such as PayPal and your own bank’s mobile banking app, but a quick search in the App Store will give numerous results.
About the author: Avalon Kenny is a freelance writer who isn’t ashamed to pronounce her Iphone addiction.