Is a Smart Phone Worth It? How iPhones can Save You Money
By Tech Know Logic, June 10, 2011, Gadgets & Technology
At first glance, the iPhone or other smartphone you have your eye on might seem a little spendy, and you may be wondering if you really need all those fancy apps. But before you turn away and head to the bargain basement for your mobile phone needs, consider this. Installing and using the right iPhone apps can actually save you money.
Relief for the current gas price crisis may be nowhere in sight, but downloading the GasBuddy app can help you find the best deal possible. With GasBuddy, you can instantly see gas prices of all participating stations, and saving a few cents a gallon can really add up after a while.
Another great iphone app is Pennies. The genius of this is in its simplicity. Ever wonder how you could be out of cash when you just got paid? Pennies helps you track what you spend and how you spend it, on food, entertainment, or wherever. Used consistently it will give you the power to know yourself and your own spending trends which in turn will help you make smart decsions with your money.
Speaking on the power of knowledge, RepairPal is a smartphone app that will help keep you in the driver’s seat the next time your vehicle breaks down. RepairPal will give you estimates of how much it should cost to fix whatever is ailing your vehicle based on the make and model, the area you live in, and whatever needs to be fixed. Knowing the range where fair pricing falls will give you a lot more haggling room and make it far less likely that you’ll be swindled.
Amazon Price Check also employs price comparison as a powerful tool to save money. It allows you to scan barcodes of products when you’re out shopping, take a picture of an item, say it’s name and the app will search for all the best possible deals empowering you to decide whether to purchase the item where you are , or maybe take advantage of a better price somewhere else. Some stores may even match a lower advertised price, saving you from havung to drive to another store.
Cellfire Mobile Coupons takes clipping coupons to a whole new level — one that doesn’t include a scissors. Over a dozen major supermarket chains participate, chances are you shop at one or two of the stores. Just show the cashier the coupon on your phone and save.
Some of the best saving comes when you don’t even have to leave the house, and are just talking to friends and family. Skype iPhone apps let you save on phone calls around the world without having to use up your cell phone minutes. Depending on how often you call long distance, this app alone could pay for your iPhone in a matter of months.
Another way smartphones save money is by allowing you to read some of your books on Ereaders. There are a number available, from iBooks to Kindle and Nook apps that work not only for the iPhone but also Android based smartphones. Most of the classics are available free, as well as lots of contemporary books. Even at times when there is a charge for ebooks, it is usually much cheaper than it would be going out and buying the physical book.
These are only some of the ways you can use your iPhone to save you not only money, but also time. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even be able to spare a few minutes for a game of “Angry Birds” — if you’re into that sort of thing.
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