Learning how to manage and save money can be a challenge for many college students. However, new technology is opening the door to endless opportunities for students to keep the money they have in their pockets.
With the majority of students using smart phones, it has become as easy as tapping a button to get great deals on events and products. Both Apple and the Android Market release thousands of free apps every year, and many of them deal with personal finance.
According to some students, like Oreofe Ogunkanmi, if students used these types of apps more often, it could help them keep money in their wallets.
“It would be helpful. You can download apps that give you coupons, or scan codes to get promotions,” Ogunkanmi said.
Some beneficial apps available are “Key Ring Reward Cards,” “I Love Free Things” and “Foodmatic.” Each have their own unique advantages and each allow students to “ball on a budget.”
Key Ring Rewards Cards is an app that allows people to keep up with all of their loyalty cards, membership cards, library cards and coupons. It eliminates the need to carry multiple plastic cards or papers by scanning the barcode on them and storing them into the smart phone. The app also allows users to join new loyalty programs and get exclusive coupons from top retailers.
Keeping up with multiple cards from different stores can be a hassle, so this app would be very good for students because they could access all of their discounts quickly from one place.
“I think I would use the Key Ring Rewards Card app the most because those [cards] are very hard to keep up with,” said Tia Jackson, a sophomore at Georgia State.
I Love Free Things is every student’s dream app. In Jackson’s words, “Who doesn’t like free stuff?”
This app helps people save money by giving them instant access to free samples and freebie offers. It works because companies are always trying to reach new people and they promote themselves by giving away free items.
“I would use the I Love Free Things app because, as a college student, it would be the best way to save money. Where ever you can save money is good,” said Christen Lott, a sophomore at Georgia State.
Foodmatic is a good app for students who may not have a meal plan in the dining hall. When it comes to the diet of a college kid, things can get pretty rough. College is probably the only time when Ramen noodles can be considered a gourmet meal. However, this app allows users to enter in random ingredients that they may have sitting around the kitchen and it will come up with a recipe for them.
Students normally just have odds and ends in their dorms, so this app could be good when you don’t have much to work with in the kitchen and you don’t know what to make.
Receiving and spending money are two of college kid’s favorite things to do, according to some students.
“It’s just fun to spend money. Something about money just makes you feel great,” Jackson said.
However, with these smartphone apps students can find alternative and cheaper ways to get the stuff that they need.
