Whether you love or loathe grocery store visits, they’re a necessity that can quickly bust your budget if you arrive unprepared. Even sales can be the cause of overspending. Do you really need six boxes of Wheat Thins just because they’re discounted?
Instead of aimlessly wandering and impulsively filling your cart with unnecessary items, use these free grocery shopping apps to change your habits and keep more cash in your wallet.
Big Oven : This app isn’t just a grocery list – Big Oven gives you access to more than 350,000 recipes as well as a menu planner and list. It’s like carrying my grandmother’s cookbook collection with you to the grocery store.The free option is limited, or you can sign up for a broader application for $2.99. Compare the two here.
Grocery Pal : Grocery Pal works with iOS and Androids. It takes a look at your grocery list, and helps you find sales and specials at local groceries, allowing you to spend less and save money.
Out of Milk: Simplify your shopping with this intuitive grocery list builder that syncs lists between loved ones or roommates so all of you don’t replace the toilet paper when it runs out. In addition to preventing duplicate purchases, you can also use it to create lists to keep your grocery gathering on track. Out of Milk also tracks coupons and prices to help you stay within your budget.
Cellfire: If you’re like me, you clip coupons with the intention of using them, but between forgetting them at home or missing the expiration date, I rarely save money by couponing. Cellfire is made for people like me. It sends coupons directly to your grocery store loyalty card so you can redeem them by scanning your card at the checkout. Plus, there’s an optional store alert function to remind you of deals you have when you walk into a store. This app works at 7,500 grocery stores across the nation. 
Our Groceries : This app is a simple list-building application that is shareable and easy to edit. It is free, if you don’t mind the ads at the top of the screen – or you can opt into the fee-based application.
Ibotta: To use Ibotta, you just download the app or install the browser extension. Once you’ve created an account, search for your favorite retailers and to find offers you want to redeem. Claim that offer and add it to your shopping list. Once you’ve made the purchase online or in person, you can claim the cash back with Ibotta by providing proof of purchase. (The browser extension is the best choice for online shopping; the mobile app is what you’ll want to use in person.) After your account reaches $20 in cash-back earnings, you can transfer it to your bank account.
The cash adds up fast, especially when you begin receiving frequent-use bonuses!
For more articles on shopping:
Save on groceries with senior discount days
Free produce for low-income seniors, moms and kids
Hacks to cut your grocery bill in half
