Finances & Money • Frugality

10 Great iPhone Apps for the Fiscally Frugal

If you care about being financially frugal, then it was probably pretty difficult to justify to yourself the purchase of an iPhone in the first place. But with the number of great apps out there that can help you save money and budget your expenses, the iPhone may actually be able to pay for itself. Here is a list of ten great applications for the financially frugal:

1. My Budget

Most financial advisors will tell you that the first step in taking control of your finances is to set a budget and follow it. This application helps you track your budget with both ongoing and one-time expenses on a daily, monthly, and yearly timetable.

2. CompareMe

You know it’s important to compare prices, but it can be frustrating to spend hours in the grocery store checking for unit prices to find the best deal on your everyday purchases. This app does the math for you and compares items by size and value to help you make the best choice.

3. Fring

This is one of several available applications that let you make free local calls over a Wifi network. You can even make cheap international calls, which can help cut down on your monthly phone bills. Best of all, this app is currently free for download.

4. CheapGas

This app lets you search for the cheapest gas in the area and map your route to the closest gas station. Powered bygasbuddy.com, users can add and update their own locations.

5. KidsEatFree

You may be able to cut down on gas in a recession, but your family has to eat. This app finds restaurants near you where kids eat for free, usually with the purchase of an adult entrée.

6. Coupon Sherpa

This app saves you time and money by combing the Internet and organizing the best coupons for you based on you preferences. Plus, this app allows you to save all your coupons and present them electronically, saving you the hassle of carrying around a bulky coupon file.

7. QuickBooks Online

If your finances are bit more complicated than the typical person’s because of business operations or investments, it may be handy to have your full account information available on your iPhone. Using the same trusted and familiar QuickBooks software, you can store important financial information right on your phone.

8. Owed

It’s nice to let things slide with friend here and there, but all of the little expenses can add up. This app keeps tracked of what you are owed, be it from minor IOUs or more intensive business invoices.

9. RedLaser

Shopping around for the best price can save you money, but it can also cause a lot of frustration. This app actually scans barcodes right in the store and lets you know if you can get the same item cheaper elsewhere based on a Google Shopping and Amazon search.

10. Meter Readings

As utility rates rise, it can be incredibly important to track your energy usage and cut back. This app allows you to enter two meter readings and your utility rates, and it details your average use and patterns of consumption. Seeing it on your iPhone screen is a powerful motivator to turn off the lights!

When not pinching pennies, Louise Baker writes about online schools for Zen College Life. Her more recent article rates the best online schools across the USA.