I'm sure that those of you that have smartphones know just how useful they can be. They help keep you in touch with friends and family, help you find a destination and even tell you the weather. Now, I'm also sure that those of you with a smartphone know that they can save you money! Yep! I've got a few favourite apps that I'd like to tell you about that save me money regularly.
The best part is that they only require about 15 minutes or less of my time each time I use them. Almost anyone can find that amount of time, I think!
Find 15 minutes in your day to focus on one of the apps featured in this post and I can guarantee you’ll find some extra cash in your pocket over time! Let’s get started…
Cash-Back Apps
Canada has several great cash-back apps that offer you an alternative to physical coupons that help you save on groceries. (Or you could combine your coupons with the rebates from the cash-back apps to save even more!)
These apps are a great way to save money on groceries and more -- without clipping coupons! You can download these apps to your smartphone or use most of them straight from your home computer.
These Cash-Back apps help you save money on the brands you love or things you're already going to buy, like bread, eggs, milk, or produce. There are usually at least a few offers each week that are not brand dependent at all. Such as, get $0.25 back when you buy any vegetables. Talk about a great offer!
While gas stations in our city, don't really have gas wars, I can tell with the Gas Buddy app whether or not gas prices will be dropping or going up by taking a look at the app! If there's one or two gas stations with a different price on gas I can almost be sure that the rest of the gas stations will be following suit shortly. I'll aim to hit a gas station that still has the "low" price if I'm in need of a fill.
Gas Buddy is also a fantastic money saving resource for road trips. Last year we did a two day trek to Winnipeg and the Gas Buddy app proved to be very useful! It helped us to time our fill ups as best as we could.
The GasBuddy.com web site and app was developed as an initiative to provide all residents and visitors to the area access to local current gas prices. This is an entirely free service that depends on users to input gas prices on a daily basis to keep the database of prices up to date. Since the price of gas is often extremely volatile, posted gas prices may vary as much as 20% within only a few blocks of each other. By having access to the most recent prices at GasBuddy.com consumers now are able to locate the most inexpensive fuel price in the city and fill up on a budget.
Flipp
The Flipp app allows you to look at all your local store flyers so you can see the best deals of the week, saving you money on each shopping trip!
While I'm mostly a pen and paper kind of girl when it comes to creating my shopping list, I've been trying out the shopping list feature in the Flipp app. It's pretty neat because I can add something like cheese to the list and the app will pull up all the sales on cheese that week. Neat! That allows me to pick one or two stores with the most sales that I can hit up for our groceries.
Another feature that I use often is the coupon matchups. While browsing through a flyer, at the bottom, you'll see if there are any coupons available for any items that are in that week's flyer. While I don't think the coupon matchups are a comprehensive list, I still find some coupons and sales that I may have missed otherwise!
Something I haven't used, but the Flipp app allows you to save your loyalty cards so you have them all in one place. (and maybe not taking up room in your wallet!)
So there you have it, my three favourite money saving apps for smartphones!
Are there any apps that you use to save money that I missed? Let us know in the comments!
Grocery shopping on a budget doesn't have to mean you only eat rice and beans each day. You can have a wonderful well rounded diet of fruits, vegetables, meats and great sides when you plan accordingly. While I always recommend you menu plan to help stay on top of your pantry and freezer supplies as well as your shopping list, these tips are really where the savings come into play.
1. Make a list before you shop.
Going into a grocery store without a list is setting yourself up for failure in the biggest way. A list is vital to making sure you are grocery shopping within your budget. Divide your list by aisles and categories. If you know approximate or sale prices on items, list those to the side so you can easily track your expenses while you shop and verify prices are as stated in sale advertisements.
2. Use Cash
It's so incredibly easy to go over budget at the grocery store when you're paying with a debit or credit card! When you are forced to use cash, it's harder to justify buying items that aren't on your grocery list. You know, that last second bag of chips or the candle that's on sale. Having your grocery money in a cash envelope is a fantastic way to stay on budget.
3. Keep a calculator on hand while you shop.
As mentioned before, sale prices are important when grocery shopping on a budget. Make note of what is suppose to be on sale and watch not only for that price to be reflected on store shelves, but also at the checkout counter. For all other items on your list, use the calculator you have on hand to make sure you aren't going over budget. Make notes as you add things to your cart and add up your purchases as you go so you know when you may need to choose a different size or brand because you are nearing your budget limits.
4. Utilize coupons as much as possible.
Using coupons is a pretty obvious suggestion coming from Simply Frugal. But while using coupons is a great way to save money, it can also cause you to spend more when you are buying things you don't need or won't use. Use coupons only on items you would normally buy, and always verify pricing on generic equivalents to make sure you are getting the ultimate best deal possible.
Sales are a great way to save money on big purchases like meats and of course, produce. There are things called loss leaders often in these sales. These items are usually far below regular price and are designed to entice you to come into the store and make a purchase. They believe if they entice you with a low price on one item you are more likely to purchase additional items. These can often be great prices to stock up your pantry for things like pasta, sauces, soups and other pantry staples. Also consider stocking up on seasonal sale prices of meat and produce to freeze or can for off seasons.
6. Sign up for reward clubs and programs.
Many grocery stores offer reward programs. These can give you high value coupons specifically for their store, points that you can redeem for free products, great VIP day discounts and insight on upcoming sales. They are a great way to be in the know and get rewarded for shopping at a favorite store.
7. Buy in bulk when possible.
Bulk purchases are often a great way to manage grocery shopping on a budget. Just make sure to check the unit prices to make sure they really are cheaper to buy in large quantities versus individual packages. Read here to learn how to buy in bulk toactually save money.
These tips for grocery shopping on a budget are great reminders for how to make the most of your money in the grocery store.
I'd love to hear your biggest tip for saving money at the grocery store. Let us know in the comments below!
Finding free grocery coupons can be tough in Canada, but not impossible. While pricing and coupon values are all vastly different in Canada versus the US, it isn't impossible to save. In fact, it is easy to find great deals and save money using coupons on a regular basis. You simply have to know where to find the coupons. This list of ways to get free grocery coupons is just the beginning. Think outside the box to find great coupons available for everything from restaurants to your cat food purchases.
5 Easy Ways To Get Free Grocery Coupons
Contact the manufacturer. Most brands are more than happy to send you coupons when you send them a letter or email them about their products. It's never a waste of your time to send a simple note to Canadian companies telling them why you like their product and asking if they distribute coupons to Canadian residents. You can check the back of packages for mailing addresses, or websites for a contact form or email.
Print coupons online. There are many coupons available to print online. As soon as I discover a new coupon of any sort, I post about it here on Simply Frugal. Printing coupons is a great option that can easily give you significant savings on your purchases. Just make sure to know your store coupon policy since many don't accept all printed coupons.
Ask grocery stores and markets. Many chain grocery stores provide you with coupons or digital coupons when you sign up for their reward programs or email programs. You may also ask at their customer service desk to see if they have extra coupons on hand. You would be surprised at how many coupons are left behind by manufacturers for customers to use.
Newspaper coupon inserts. While this isn't totally free if you are paying for the newspaper, it is a great way to get coupons. To get them for free, ask friends, neighbors and family members who already receive the newspaper to save you the Smartsource and Redplum inserts that come out regularly.
Watch on social media. Facebook has become one of the best places to grab coupons from brands. Follow your favorite brands on social media, and double check to see if they have a Canadian specific page. This is often a great way to grab free grocery coupons with little to no effort. A simple like of a page and email address on a form can often leave you with some high value printable coupons from brands you love.
If you're looking for free grocery coupons, this list is a great place to start for Canadian residents. You can also consider asking your friends and family, checking with local store bulletin boards or joining online coupon groups that offer coupon swaps to help increase the number of free grocery coupons you are able to acquire.
There are some expenses that just aren't going to go away, and food is one of them. This list of ideas will help make your grocery budget go further.
Produce your own food.
This can be growing a vegetable garden or even raising chickens in your back yard for eggs. Producing your own food sources is a great answer to how to save money on food. This usually takes a small up front investment and some time to make work, but is well worth it in the long run for a better grocery budget.
Shop with coupons and sales.
This obvious answer has to be on the list because one of the best tips for how to save money on food is to clip coupons and shop sales at your market or grocery store.
Stockpile seasonal items.
When you find a fruit or vegetable you love and know is only available during a specific time period, stocking up and freezing or canning for future use is a great way to save money in your food budget.
Menu plan consistently.
Nothing kills your grocery budget like take out or last minute ingredients for a fast meal. Take the time to menu plan consistently utilizing what you already have on hand and sales at the time to build a low-cost menu everyone will enjoy.
Make more vegetarian meals.
For most meals, the meat is the highest priced item by far. Make more vegetarian meals and skip the meat in your menu plan at least 2-3 days each week.
Use low-cost staple items as a base.
Don't forget about things like dry beans, brown rice, potatoes and pasta as the base for many hearty and healthy meals that are full of nutrient-dense vegetables, healthy fats,and the occasional lean meat.
Make your own and avoid processed foods.
Instead of buying cake mixes, ready-made bread or even cookies make your own. Avoid all of the nutritional bombs in processed foods and save money by making your own.
Barter with friends and neighbors.
If you don't have time for a garden but have a friend or neighbor that does, it's time to barter. Offer cleaning, babysitting, mending or other services in exchange for fresh produce from their garden.
Plan for leftovers.
Make your menu in a way that each meal always has enough leftovers for two meals or at least, a smaller lunch portion the next day for every family member.
Avoid food waste.
If you have just a bit of vegetable or roast left that isn't enough for a meal, toss it into a freezer bag and save for future stews or soups. Use the chicken bones from a roasted chicken to simmer and create your own chicken stock. Toss vegetable peels and bits of vegetables into a stockpot and simmer for a practically free vegetable stock.
These tips for how to save money on food are easy, practical things anyone can do on a regular basis to keep their food budget low.
What are some things that you do to save money on food? Let us know in the comments below!
It doesn't matter what time of year it is, there always seems to be gifts to wrap for one occasion or another! I know that I happen to enjoy when I'm given a gift and I can tell the gift giver spent a little bit of time making the wrapped gift look beautiful. Interesting wrap does two things:
It gives the recipient of a gift the feeling that the giver went the extra mile.
Even though wrapping paper generally gets ripped to shreds, it add more suspense to the surprise.
So when it comes to your loved ones, friends, or even business associates on any special occasion throughout the year, think twice before you settle for some cheap wrap from the dollar store. Think outside the box!
The truth is, there are plenty of recyclable materials around that make crafting your own wrap easy with barely any cost. Wrapping can even become great projects for kids. Take a look at these recyclable ways to wrap gifts:
Flowers or flower petals. How awesome and sweet smelling would this be!
Old family photos you don't want anymore.
Photos printed out from a digital camera.
Old posters are great for wrapping.
Leaves. New or just fallen there’s no cost, no problem finding them (depending on the time of year), and they are biodegradable.
Old mail: Most of it goes into the recycling bin but there could be some great pieces to cover a gift. For example, make an envelope for a check out of old bills!
A collage from newspapers and magazines.
Cereal boxes: remember the prize in the box when you were a kid!
Old fabrics, cloths or clothes the recipient of the gift can reuse or donate.
Toilet and paper towel rolls. Cut up and paint them creating an unusual texture with their cylindrical shape.
Tea bag wrappers. Tape them over the box of a new kettle.
Carpet samples or leftovers from an installation make a furrier presentation.
Old cassettes: stack and glue them together making a box for a gift.
Reuse old greeting cards.
Egg cartons. Need I say more? Paint them, glitter them, just go wild with them.
Old sheet music for a musical surprise. You could even write out a song as part of the gift.
Paper bags can go a long way when wrapping.
Milk or juice cartons: wash out, decorate and use them as a gift box.
Maps. These can be great for travel related gifts like a new bike helmet or backpack.
Scraps from a wood shop, metal shop, or printing company. There’s usually a lot of waste at these venues that can easily be converted into something useful like wrapping up a gift.
While some items listed above are simple to use as the main wrapping material others may need some help being attached. If you’ve chosen one of the latter here’s a suggestion:
First use newsprint or other recyclable material to encase a gift. Older used wrapping paper will also do and it’s the perfect time to recycle it.
Apply the chosen material such as flower petals, leaves, or photos with, glue, tape, or string, as you see fit.
Good luck gifting, wrapping, and making others happy! Do you have any other creative wrapping ideas to share?
How to create a simple budget plan for debt repayment
A budget plan can easily help you to overcome past debt issues and pay down debt so you can become financially free. There are many ways to accomplish this, but a simple and straight forward budget plan will help make it even easier to manage. These tips for how to create a simple budget plan specifically for debt repayment will help you to get out of debt easier and faster than ever before.
Take a serious look at all expenses.
The best and most simple budget plans begin when you get serious about what you have coming in and going out each month. It's time to get serious and focus not only on your expenses but also on what you can do to increase your income.
If you see that you are living outside your means no matter how you arrange your budget, it's time to start downsizing or making major changes. Unfortunately, this can mean a second job for some people. For others it may mean cutting out a gym membership, special events, eating out or even selling the second family car. Whatever you do, you need to look at each and every expense and evaluate the necessity and ability to change it to improve your budget plan for debt repayment.
Make savings a major priority.
A savings account cannot be an option. It has to be a must-have and a priority on your list. For most people, the lack of savings is what has resulted in higher debt. If there was more money in savings, many expenses would not have occurred and would have easily been provided for. A savings account should be set up to create an emergency fund and backup plan should anything happen where you have unexpected expenses.
You can easily set this up by having funds direct depositedout of your paycheck. If you feel there is no room in your budget for savings, look to some of the things mentioned above to eliminate some expenses to create a savings budget. Even if you can only save $25 a week or even a month, this is a great beginning to a savings account that can help save the day when something unexpected occurs.
Set aside 5% toward debt repayment to begin and move upwards.
It seems like a small amount, but if you make $3000 per month that is still $150. That amount can easily be set aside to pay off debt once you've assessed your necessary expenses. Over the course of one year, you can pay off $1800 in debt. That is a significant amount for many families.
As you are able, you can increase that monthly percentage in 5% increments. A 15% - 20% debt repayment plan can make a huge difference in no time toward your family being debt free.
Building a functional but simple budget plan is easy. You truly only need to know what your income and expenses are, then work those numbers until you are able to also make room for savings and debt repayment. The difficult part comes in ridding yourself of unnecessary expenses. Because really, that's not fun, but I'm positive you will feel so happy once you get your debt payments rolling and knocked off!
