In an earlier post, I discussed some strategies for incorporating couponing into a budgeting and savings plan.  Saving money with coupons is a smart and satisfying way to reduce expenses and build wealth, but the process has changed significantly over the years! In the past, couponing meant searching newspapers for coupons to match your grocery list, spending hours cutting and sorting the slips of paper, and then trying to find the right one while pushing a cart down the supermarket aisles. Now, most coupons are available through smartphone apps. Two commonly downloaded apps are The Krazy Coupon Lady and Flipp.

The Krazy Coupon Lady

App basics: When first logging in the app, you are provided with a menu of stores, where you can select your favorites. Based on your selection and your phone’s location, the app will deliver the most relevant deals and coupons to you. Another cool feature the app provides is your ability to receive notifications for “special limited time deals.”

Using the app: On the app, you can make a shopping list and match it with available coupons. To access the manufacturers’ coupons, a second app, Coupons.com, needs to be installed. While some coupons are available through the app, others need to be printed out.  If you are new to this app, you might want to browse the 20 -page beginners’ guide.

Flipp

App basics:  Similar to “The Krazy Coupon Lady ” app you are provided with a menu of stores, where you can select your favorites. This app offers a large selection of grocery items and helps find weekly specials.

Using the app: The app displays local specials and has an easy-to-use search feature to help you get started on making a shopping list. You can search for general items, like chicken, or for specific brands. Another cool feature allows you to link your preferred shopper’s club card, which automatically finds coupons that match store specials for additional savings.

There are many other smartphone couponing apps besides the two discussed above available on both Android and iPhone.  Here are a few tips as you start on your couponing app adventure:

• Start small: Handling multiple apps can lead to confusion. Get comfortable making shopping lists, downloading coupons, and going through the checkout process with one app used for one store. When you feel ready, add more choices.
• Turn off app notifications, or at least mute the sound. Frequent deal notifications can be distracting and can lead to budget-busting impulse buying.
• Save money on gas, by combining shopping trips. You don’t want to spend $2 in gas to save $1 in groceries.
• If you are not comfortable sharing your location with the app, you can deny access, but some of the functionality will be lost. An alternative is to allow location access while you plan your shopping and use your coupons, and then turn it off again.

Start small and let the couponing fun begin! Do you have any couponing app tips?  Leave a comment!