Category Archives: Iphone apps

I know that among the money-saving blog readers there are a lot of Dave Ramsey fans, so I was excited to find the free Ask Dave Ramsey app for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

You can peruse the most recent call-in topics. The app lets you both read a short summary of a listener’s question and Dave’s answer, as well as listen to the on-air exchange. You can also browse for advice from Dave by category, including The Basics (automobile, taxes, etc.), Handling Money, Lifestyles (career, college, etc.), Long Term and Fun Stuff.

Choose the Random button and you’ll see a listing of 10 or so topics that range from how to start an LLC to teaching kids about money at an early age. You can also search the free Ask Dave Ramsey app if you have a specific money-saving topic in mind for which you’d like Dave’s sage advice.

Be sure to check out all the posts in my 30 Days of Money-Saving Apps series.

If you’ve ever been in a situation where you’ve needed to figure out whether it’s cheaper to buy 24 cans of Pepsi or 30 cans of Coke, then the free app, The Better Buy, is for you.

Here’s how it works. If you have the prices for two comparable items, just enter the price and the quantity (e.g., 24 cans, 12 rolls, 14.5 oz, etc.) for the first item, then the same for the second item. In a flash, The Better Buy will tell you which is the better deal.

I especially like this app because many times I’ll be at the grocery store planning to buy the larger bottle of ketchup or dishwasher detergent but then will notice that the smaller bottle is marked down. No longer will I need to try to figure out the math in my head, The Better Buy will be able to tell me on the spot which one I should purchase.

Be sure to check out all the posts in my 30 Days of Money-Saving Apps series.

If you like Deal of the Day sites (be sure to also check out free apps from Groupon and LivingSocial), then you may want to check out the free WootWatch app for the iPhone and iPod Touch. While Groupon and LivingSocial specialize in dining and entertainment deals, WootWatch focuses on daily product deals, like laptops, cameras, t-shirts and toys.

From the free app, you can check out daily deals in five different categories, including wine, kids products, t-shirts and deals sure to sell out. It’s best to hop on these deals fast because once they’re gone, they’re gone. I was just checking out the sections last night and three of the five categories had sold out.

If you spot a deal you want, you can make your purchase right from your iPhone. Just like the other daily deal sites, I’ll be checking out WootWatch every day in search of some great discounts on gifts I can give for birthdays and over the holidays.

Have you checked out WootWatch or any of the other daily deal sites? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Be sure to also check out all the posts in my 30 Days of Money-Saving Apps series.

I stumbled upon the free RepairPal app the other day and wished I’d found it sooner considering my car has needed repairs several times in the last few months.

Here’s how it works. First, select the make, model and year of your car. Next, select the type of service you require, whether it’s scheduled maintenance (e.g., 30,000 mile service) or a replacement (e.g., new transmission, new fuel pump, etc.). You’ll also find various services listed like tire rotation and a check engine light diagnosis. Finally, enter your zip code and press the big orange “Get Estimate” button.

Once you enter your details, the RepairPal app will give you a price estimate broken out between parts and labor, which is nice. The app even finds repair shops close to your location and will email the price estimate to you to save for later. I can definitely see good use for this as a negotiating tool once at the repair shop and I’ve been given an estimate at the desk.

I can’t say I can’t wait to try out this app in a real scenario (it’s not like I want to be in a position to need car repairs done), but I know the RepairPal app will be a huge help. Be sure to check out all the posts in my 30 Days of Money-Saving Apps series.

The free Cellfire app for the iPhone and iPod Touch has been around for some time to enable you to save money with paperless grocery coupons that are linked to store loyalty cards, but before now I’d only tried out the service on the Cellfire website. If you’re not familiar with Cellfire, it’s a site that lets you select coupons that are saved on your store loyalty card and deducted when you swipe your card at check-out.

I really like the Cellfire app because I can check for manufacturers coupons while I’m in the grocery store right from my iPhone, select the ones I want, and then when I get to check-out the coupons are already loaded onto my store loyalty card. No need to print out or clip coupons.

It’s worth noting that Cellfire is only linked to a few grocery chains right now, including Safeway (Randall’s, Tom Thumb, Dominick’s, etc.) and Kroger (King Soopers, Ralphs, Dillons, etc.). Cellfire coupons also do not double the way paper coupons do. However, if you live in a market with these chains, Cellfire offers a convenient way to save on groceries.

Have you checked out the free Cellfire app or maybe tried out Shortcuts.com, which also enables you to grab paperless coupons from the web or your cell phone? I’d love to hear what you think. Be sure to check out all the posts in my 30 Days of Money-Saving Apps series.