Best Apps for Back-to-School Shopping
By Tracey Dowdy
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – back-to-school! Whether you loved having your kiddos home for the summer or whether you think the most beautiful sight in the world is that big yellow bus, kids are headed back to school.
That means it’s time for back-to-school shopping. These apps can help you stock up without breaking the bank, a promise that’s sure to make everyone happy.
Retail Me Not promises “500,000+ Coupons for 50,000 Stores” on their site. By aggregating sales and coupons from major retailers like Nike, JC Penney, Target, Payless, as well as smaller, local retailers, this app has the potential to save you a lot of money by dropping exclusive deals, discounted gift cards, and cash-back offers into the palm of your hand. Plus, the app is available in Canada as well, so it works great for cross-border shopping. (Free – iOS/Android)
Key Ring is a life saver – well, maybe a wallet saver. Instead of jamming all your store loyalty cards in your wallet, Key Ring stores them for you. Then, just enter your zip code and the app will upload local flyers so you can browse sales and coupons. Create a list, search for the items across circulars, find the best deals and save both time and money. (Free – iOS/Android)
FLOK doesn’t tell you where to get the lowest prices but it will tell you where you can earn rewards. The app matches you with local retailers offering loyalty reward programs, many who award points just for signing up. Start earning points and redeem them at any time. (Free – iOS/Android)
Ebates will be your go-to deal shopping app by promising as much as 40% back on your purchase at over 2000 retailers and wholesalers. Download the app, pick your favorite retailers and save money through rebates, coupons and cash back rewards from big names like Macy’s, Kohl’s, Sephora, Target, or even Groupon and eBay. (Free – iOS/Android)
ShopSavvy saves you the hassle of scrolling through circulars and searching retailers online by doing the heavy lifting for you. Simply use your smartphone camera to scan the barcode for any item you’re considering purchasing and ShopSavvy runs through a database of over 40,000 stores to see if anyone has a lower price. The app is constantly updated in real-time, so if the deal is better elsewhere, you’ll know before you get to the checkout. (Free – iOS/Android)
Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.
