Iphone Applications for Saving {and Life}!

I have an iPhone for about two years now. I love it! I truly think it's an awesome time management tool since I can access everything I need at the drop of a button!

Obviously, I love a deal. I didn't get a deal on my phone or my plan (although, I did purchase my first one with Swag Bucks). But, have a having the phone facilitates saving with many great applications.

Apps to Help You Save

Here are a few of my faves that have truly saved me money, and don't cost a dime!

Coupon Sherpa

This application is my favorite with updated retail store coupons. Sometimes I run to the mall or a retail store unplanned. I don't always print out every single store coupon that I would potentially use on a shopping trip. So, having this application has helped me save time, trees and my money!

Many retailers have accepted the coupon just from my iPhone. I simply pull up the coupon, as found in coupon sherpa, show it to the cashier and they enter the code. I have not ONCE had an issue with a retailer not accepting this form of coupon. I have had to explain to a few that it's the same thing as the coupon since most of the coupons I use are not a one-time use coupon. But, even at the Gap Outlet, my one-time use coupon was taken with a little explanation.

MobiQpons

This is similar to Coupon Sherpa. I have this one loaded just in case there isn't a coupon in Coupon Sherpa (which happens rarely). You simply get the link to the printable store coupon and can show the cashier the code for a deduction.

Yowza

Suggestion from ShopSmart Magazine. I have not personally used this one yet.

Shooger

Suggestion from ShopSmart Magazine. I have not personally used this one yet either.

Cellfire

This one is familiar with many as I match to Cellfire coupons each week in my store matches. I actually used a Cellfire coupon last summer at the local Zoo. They took the deduction with no issues! There are many coupons on the mobile version of Cellfire to upload. I don't have the texting set up on my phone since I have an iPhone, but it is a good idea to do that if your phone doesn't have internet access.

Kroger Mobile Coupons

This is newer for Kroger, but it works just like Cellfire. Log into the app and find coupons that are available for products. Load them to your card right in the store and receive the discount. THe only drawback to having this in-store access is Kroger suggests loading the e-coupons to your card 24 hours prior to use so if you're in the store it's hit/miss if it will work for you.

Shop Savvy

I did a comprehensive review of this app when I was reviewing T-Mobile's G1 phone. It works the same way on the iPhone. You simply scan the bar code of an item in the store. I think it's meant for larger priced items (and not a of Kashi cereal, for example).

It does search online to give you the comparison prices for other retailers that have the item online. As I shared in the Shop Savvy review, I was able to save around $200 on a camera we purchased at Best Buy. This is particularly more useful when it's for larger priced items which makes it a bit less useful for me.

I tend to save more with larger ticket items by shopping online and getting cash back. Plus, I always do a price comparison if items are $50 or more so the need to use this is far less. But, if you happen to be out and see something you want to get a quick price comparison on, it works great. I wish they would group their comparisons a little better since it's basically a list of search results online that you have to wade through.

Groupon

I don't need to explain what Groupon is since you all surely know that by now. The thing I love about the app is that you can pull up your groupon at the time of using it. This is nice since you don't need to print off your groupons once you receive them. I've been out and about many times and have been able to use a Groupon thanks to  my app. If I had to plan and have the Groupons printed, I would have missed redeeming my Groupon.

There is also an app available for Living Social as well.

Erin of Coupon Cravings has a great list of apps for Saving as well!

Apps for Personal Productivity

There are also some applications worth the mention for personal productivity or for your kids to play with while you are saving (or shopping). My kids and my niece (who I believe only likes me now because of my phone :) love these applications:

Evernote

How do I explain Evernote? It's like a dream come true for a mom! If you're out and about and need to make a quick note, create a new “note” in Evernote. Want to record yourself a message? You can record a “message” note to play back later. How about a picture of something to capture the memory? It does that too!

It's great for me since my work and life go hand in hand. I might be at the store and see a price on something that I want to share here. I can create a quick note on the fly.

The other thing I love about Evernote is that there is a web-based version as well. So, if you have a lot of notes to take, you can take them in Evernote online. You can also download a software version for Macs.

Oh, and it's Free! What's not to love about that?! You can upgrade to the paid version for more space, but I haven't needed that yet and I have a LOT of notes!

Dropbox

If you use a Mac, you have likely heard of Dropbox. This is an amazing program that is sort of like your own personally network at home. If you have files to share, you simply put them in dropbox. I mainly use this one for my iPad, but I have it on my iPhone as well.

Instagram

Take pictures and have it go automatically to twitter or facebook (or email or nowhere). This is nice too because you can choose different styles for the picture (black/white, x-ray, etc).

Bump

I also love Bump. You can easily transfer your contact information with another iphone user who also has Bump. Mercedes told me about this one.

Chase Banking

While this is specific to Chase, since that is who I bank with, I know there are other banks offering apps too (US Bank does now too since we bank with them also). I can check our account balances and even make a deposit from my phone (it takes a picture of the front and back of the check)! It really does help me save money too since I don't have to drive to the bank to make my deposits!

Apps to Focus on Health & Fitness

Do you exercise? Well, I have these loaded on my phone and have used them:

SparkPeople

This is just the app version of the online site. It's nice to have it handy so I can track food without getting on the computer. If you haven't heard of Sparkpeople, I shared more about the site in my post.

Runkeeper FREE

You can go for a run and track your distance and time with this application. It's sometimes whacky with the distances since the last time I used it, I apparently went .5 miles in 40 minutes.

Nike + iPod

I don't use this one, but I would if I didn't use Runkeeper. It's still on my phone in the event I want to play :)

Dirty Dozen

This gives you a quick list of the Dirty Dozen fruits and vegetables. When you're in the grocery, you can pull it up to determine if that extra cost for organic is worth it.

ZipList

I did a comprehensive review on ZipList. This is great to have your recipes all in one place. I use this one more on my iPad when I'm cooking. It's so easy to pull up recipes and have them all in one place!

Apps to Occupy the Kidlets

MemBlock

Well, I say kids but it's actually fun for adults too! This is like a digital Simon Says. You keep hitting the lights in the correct order as the app told you to. You don't get anything when you win other than saying your mind is sharp as a tack ;)

Whiteboard

It's a fun application that allows you to draw with your finger. You can even choose different colors. It is very entertaining for the kids.

BubbleWrap

No explanation necessary. The kids love it, it's annoying (just like the real thing) but it's also a game. You see how many bubbles you pop in a certain time frame.

First Words Sampler

This is educational (score one for teaching them something!!). It has basic sight words with the image. The kids drag the letter to the appropriate spot in the sequence. It is interactive and makes noise. Kids like noise.

Ants Lite

Another educational app. This helps to teach number sequence. The kids touch the ants, a number pops up, they say the number, and then more ants come.

Kids Math Advantage

This helps to teach simple counting, addition, subtraction, division, multiplication. We haven't really used this one that much yet but we will be!

Speak Piggy and C is for Cow

Another one that teaches them something! I did a mini review of the Speak Piggy app. Seriously, Andon loves this app. It does cost, but it was worth it for us. I mean, who else's kid knows what an Urchin is? Well, those who have this app will!

Cowbell, Horn, SirenFXFree and Clapper

Are you a sports mom? Have you ever forgotten that cowbell and kicked yourself? Well, here are a few applications I have so I can get in the spirit, if you leave your bells and horns at home :) No explanation on these, they do what they say.

I Hear Ewe

Jessica told me about this one, and Andon really likes it too.

Angry Birds

Honestly, I do not understand the fascination with Angry Birds. I mean, I've played it but I just don't get it. You throw a bird from a sling and try to knock down stuff. My kids love it and it is clearly a popular app. That just goes to show you the most simple creation can be a smashing success!

Zippo Lighter, AtomicFart

The Zippo Lighter app is really cool. You basically can start a flame and blow it out with your phone! And, the AtomicFart…did I mention our oldest is an 11-year old boy? ‘Nough said!

Social Media Applications

Of course, as a social media person, you MUST have these applications:

Facebook, Echofon (twitter), Skype, WordPress, Google, Whrrl, Flickr

Of course, I also have a few that help soothe: BibleReader, Bible Study, Sleepmaker (great for having a sound machine during hotel/travel stays).

Another great place to stay updated on cool new apps is the Mac Life magazine. When Tanga had that deal a few weeks ago, I snatched it up. It's pretty expensive when you purchase outright in the store so definitely get a subscription to learn all about new apps.

You can also check out a site called AppShopper.com (and they have an app too). It will notify you when apps drop in price or come up free. I used this a while ago and got inundated with so many apps that were free that I unsubscribed to their RSS. I sneak in there occasionally to see a few things.

So, those are just *a few* of my apps :) What are some of your favorite iPhone apps?