Score the Best Deals: Put Your Smartphone to Work

Black Friday has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean you’ve missed all the good deals this season has to offer.  There are hundreds of deals to be found every week, and your smartphone can help you cash in on the best savings.

You may have heard it’s “all about the bass?” Well in this case, it’s all about the app.

Almost every major retailer has an exclusive app that will alert you to sales, send you coupons and exclusive offers for app users. If you are loyal to a few major retailers, it pays to have their apps, but beware of overloading your smart phone with store apps. You could get so swamped you won’t be able to find the best deals. Instead, look for apps that manage all those deals for you.

• RetailMeNot.com, the web’s best clearinghouse for coupons and deals at major retailers is now an app. Download it to check for coupons before you buy or browse for the best deals before you start out shopping for the day. Of course, RetailMeNot works for online shopping as well.
• Flipp is an app that provides users with the ability to browse sales flyers from hundreds of major retailers. Search by store, search by item, and create a shopping list by “clipping” items from the flyers. Alerts can let you know when your deal is about to expire.
• If you’re not just looking for a good deal, but you want to find the very best deal, then check out ShopSavvy. It’s a price comparison app that lets you scan the barcode of a particular item with your smartphone’s camera then compare the price with other local stores nearby and online. Works for everything from big ticket items to peppermint coffee creamer, and you’ll be sure you got the best deal in town.
• Toys on your list? Download the Shop for Kids app to find customer reviews on hundreds of popular toys with the kind of information parents need to know, including durability, time it takes to set up, and play-time staying power. Scan the barcode for price comparisons at major retailers and buy online if you can’t find it in the store. This app also gives you suggestions as to what’s trending in the toy industry.

If shopping local is your thing, be sure to “like” your favorite stores on Facebook or follow them on Twitter to cash in on their deals. Many local Billings retailers and restaurants post sales and special promotions on social media. If you’re on social media anyway, why not find a bargain?

The list of shopping apps is long, and these are just a few of our favorites. What are some of the best ways you have used your smart phone to snag a good deal?