Most people would like to save more money, but it’s easier said than done. Sure, you can adjust your budget and slash your expenses, but sometimes that just isn’t enough. What if there was a way to put more money in your pocket without doing any work? Would you be interested? Of course you would, because who doesn’t want more money?
The trick here is to use apps. By using apps that relate to banking, saving, and shopping, you can start saving right away. While it may just be small amounts that you’re setting aside at the start, you’ll quickly notice your accounts growing over time. Here are 5 apps that will help you save money.
Reebee
As grocery prices continue to rise, more people are aware of how much they’re spending on food. Cutting back on your grocery bill sometimes seems impossible, but with Reebee, it’s easy. Reebee allows you to see all the flyers of nearby grocery stores so you can see what’s on sale at any given time. With this information, you can be strategic about where you shop, so you’re not spending more than you have to.
If you really want to turbocharge your savings, consider planning your meals around what’s on sale. By doing so, you can eliminate impulse shopping and food waste. Here’s another pro-tip. Some grocery stores price match, so there’s no need to go to multiple stores for the lowest prices.
KOHO
KOHO is a no fee, prepaid credit card that gives you 0.5% cash back on every purchase. What really makes them attractive is that you can round up your purchases to the nearest $1, $5, or $10. These round ups are a way to encourage you to save. Let’s say you’re making a purchase for $12; you could set KOHO to round up to the nearest $5. You would be charged $15 for your purchase, but the extra $3 would be set aside and put towards one of your savings goals. The money sitting in your account earns you some interest, so it’s a win-win solution.
Although KOHO isn’t a traditional credit card, it acts like one since you can make purchases wherever Visa is accepted. This is beneficial to people who may not qualify for a conventional credit card or just don’t want one. It’s also worth noting that KOHO has a premium membership that gives you a higher cash back rate and additional benefits, but it comes with an annual fee.
PC Optimum
For those unfamiliar with PC Optimum, it’s the loyalty program of Loblaw’s owned grocery stores and Shoppers Drug Mart. You can also earn PC Optimum points at Esso/Mobil gas stations. That means you can earn the same loyalty points at major grocery, pharmacy, and gas station chains. If you get a PC Financial credit card, you can increase your earn rate and earn points on all your purchases. With so many ways to earn points, it won’t take long for you to start redeeming your points for free groceries or merchandise.
What really makes PC Optimum appealing is that there are multiple ways to get even more value for your points. Shoppers Drug Mart has 10X the points events and extra redemption points days, which can be incredibly valuable. If you sign up for PC Optimum Insiders, you can extra points on select products and get free click and collect groceries. Once you understand how to maximize your points, you can save big.
Rakuten
If you do a lot of shopping online, you need to sign up for Rakuten. Rakuten is a cash back, coupon, and promotions site that has partnerships with many of the top retailers across the country. This allows you to earn cash back or save money on every purchase you make. The concept is simple, log in to Rakuten, and then click one of the partner retailers. The purchases you make will be credited back to your Rakuten account.
Every retailer offers a different cash back amount and Rakuten often has promotions where you can earn additional cash back. Some partners include Dyson, Old Navy, Indigo, Sephora, Gap, Walmart, Hudson’s Bay and more. It’s also worth mentioning that Rakuten has a gift card shop where you can earn cash back at even more retailers.
EQ Bank
Banking in Canada is an interesting thing. Even though you’re leaving your money with them, it feels like you need to pay for everything. There are monthly account fees, ATM fees, transaction fees, e-transfer fees, and more. Those fees can add up to quite a bit and really eats into your bottom line. However, if you switch to a digital bank, you can instantly reduce your costs.
Take a look at EQ Bank. They have no fees for daily banking, no minimum balance requirement, and unlimited free e-transfers. Also, they pay a decent interest rate on any money you have deposited with them. Many people are hesitant to switch banks since they’ve been with them for a long time, but aren’t you tired of paying excessive fees?
Final thoughts
Saving money doesn’t always come naturally to people, but it can become automatic with the right apps. You may need to adjust your spending habits and how you do your banking, but it’ll be worth it. Any extra money you save can be used to pay down any debt or used for any saving goals that you may have.