Money Saving Apps: Super Store Edition

Jun 01, 2016

Wouldn’t it be great if we could all get the best possible deal on what we’re buying WITHOUT having to remember, first, to bring along coupons and, second, which stores will price match or accept competitor coupons? Most of us are busy and have it hard enough trying to find the time to just go to the store, let alone searching the ads, planning out coupons and making the trip to multiple stores!

Luckily, a few of the larger retailers are helping us save – even when we don’t have time to coupon shop. Here are my favorite ways to save:

Target:

  • Cartwheel App: Available on most Android and Apple phones, this app is pretty simple to use. Once you set up an account, you can hop on Target’s guest Wi-Fi (so you’re not racking up your cell phone data bill). As you shop, use the app to scan the barcode of everything before you put it in the cart (or sometime before you get up to the checkout counter). The app will tell you if there’s a coupon for that item and allows you to add it to your personal barcode. Bonus: If a similar brand is on sale, you’ll see that as well, so you can see whether you’re getting the best deal. Double Bonus: Use a Target Redcard to get an additional 5% off your purchase. I hook mine up to my debit card so I don’t have to worry about unexpected credit card bills every month. Here’s more info on the Cartwheel App.

Walmart:

  • Walmart is great for price matching. All you have to do is bring in the competitor’s ad and they’ll roll back the price right at the register. If that’s even too much work, they have the Savings Catcher built in to the Walmart app. Simply scan your receipt after you shop and the savings catcher will look for a better price at top competitors in your area. If they find a better deal, they’ll credit you the amount to your Walmart account – which you can redeem for Walmart gift cards. Find out more info here.

Other Ways to Save:

  • Another great way to save as a member is Purchase Rewards. These are rewards you can get just for using your Arizona Federal debit card. Simply log in to the mobile app  (I use my fingerprint as my password to save me time) and click Purchase Rewards, found under the “More” menu. You’ll see a bunch of deals that are customized to you and where you shop. Me? I see deals on things like coffee or other convenience items. Once you add the deal to your card, you’re all set!

There are so many great ways to save out there that don’t require a lot of time or effort. What are some of your favorite savings tools?