The power of technology puts the world’s information at your fingertips, and when you’re ready to create a budget or set a savings goal to get ahead, that means that you can turn to many great apps, devices, and online services to get the job done!
Here, we’ll run through several great ideas to help you save money.
Use a shopping companion app
When you’re out and hitting the grocery store, it can be tempting to buy things you may not especially need at the time, or you could even miss a great deal on an item that you need to buy regularly. That’s why a great idea is to use a shopping companion app, which can assist you on your next trip to the grocery store.
A shopping companion app not only helps you set up your grocery list, scan barcodes, or calculate what you’ll need to pay when you get to the till, but can also help you find great deals that you might otherwise miss in-store.
Some apps, such as Pick ‘n Pay’s, are even tied to a loyalty program – which can enable you to clock up redeemable points at the checkout aisle which you could use to either claim cash back or purchase additional groceries at no cost.
Use a budgeting app
Everyone needs a budget – but managing a spreadsheet or using pen and paper can make this important exercise feel like a chore.
If you own a smart device or computer, why not consider using a budgeting app to make this task easier? A good budgeting app can help you quickly calculate your income and expenses, and many modern services such as 22Seven can automatically categorize and sort your bank account’s cash flow when authorised to do so.
By using a budgeting app, you can easily explore your income and expenses – and you can see where you could save more money each month.
Use an online Credit Report tool like ClearScore
When managing your credit score, it’s important to stay in-the-know; and that’s what makes online credit report tools and services so useful.
When you take out a loan, you’ll want both a good understanding of what your credit score is, as well as how you’ll plan to pay off that debt over a certain amount of time. By using a service such as ClearScore, you can keep an eye on your credit score and ensure that you’re always up-to-date with your loan repayments. By doing so, you’ll avoid falling into arrears and needing to pay additional interest or fees on your loan.
Use Wi-Fi instead of mobile data
In South Africa, mobile data contracts and prepaid bundles can be expensive – especially when considering that internet access is needed to access our favourite online services, such as social networks or chat apps.
Using these services can mean that you might find yourself buying data bundles frequently. By monitoring your smartphone’s data consumption (usually found in your device’s Settings app) you can ensure that you don’t run out of data and turn off any services that you may not need.
When using apps such as WhatsApp or Facebook, try connecting to a free and reputable Wi-Fi network if at all possible – such as at a coffee shop or at your place of work. By doing so, you won’t deplete your mobile data bundle as quickly, and you can save money by only using it when it’s really necessary.
Use apps to save money on restaurants and experiences
If you love eating out or enjoying a fun activity with your friends and family, you might find these occasions become expensive over time. That’s why many new apps and online services enable you to buy vouchers, packages, or subscription services that offer large discounts – which can enable you to both save money and have a selection of fun activities to do whenever you prefer.
Some apps, such as The Entertainer, offer a yearly subscription fee – and in return, you’ll be provided with a number of discounts and free activities whenever you plan to dine out or spend quality time with your loved ones.
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