In the UK, where the cost of living continues to rise despite what our inept leaders may claim, finding ways to stretch your budget without compromising on quality is more important than ever.
Fortunately, technology offers a helping hand in the form of money-saving apps designed to cut down your weekly shopping bills and help you find deals and discounts. Here’s a roundup of nine apps that can genuinely help you save money, ensuring you remain a smart shopper amidst fluctuating prices.
Trolley.co.uk
Established in 2021, Trolley.co.uk emerged as a free online price comparison website with a clear mission: to assist shoppers in saving money on their everyday grocery purchases.
Trolley.co.uk stands out as the UK’s largest online supermarket comparison app, comparing groceries across over 16 superstores. This app is a game-changer for shoppers looking to – in their own words – save up to 30% on their grocery shopping. By providing real-time price comparisons, Trolley.co.uk ensures you always get the best deal available, making it an essential tool for every savvy shopper.
Through functionalities such as Saveable Lists, Barcode Scanning, and Supermarket List Comparison, Trolley.co.uk simplifies the process of identifying where favourite products are stocked at the lowest prices. Shoppers can create personalised shopping lists within the app and then effortlessly discover which supermarkets offer the best value for those specific items.
Moreover, Trolley.co.uk enhances the shopping experience by providing price alerts and enabling users to see at a glance which supermarket will render their shopping list the cheapest. This proactive approach to saving not only helps users stick to their household budgets but also minimises the time spent on planning and executing grocery runs.
Despite its comprehensive services, Trolley.co.uk remains a free app, accessible to all with iOS and Android devices.
Shopmium
Shopmium is a leading supermarket cashback app in the UK, offering users the chance to save an impressive £50 on their weekly food shop. With exclusive supermarket offers, half-price discounts, and the opportunity to win vouchers, Shopmium transforms the way you shop by putting money back into your pocket.
The process is straightforward:
- Download and Sign Up: First, you download the app and create an account. During the sign-up process, you might be able to enter a referral code for an additional welcome offer.
- Browse Offers: Shopmium regularly updates its list of offers, which can range from discounts on new products to 100% cashback deals on familiar brands. You can browse these deals before you go shopping or even while you’re in the store.
- Shop as Usual: Purchase the featured products at any store where they are available. There’s no need to change your shopping habits or go out of your way to specific retailers.
- Scan and Snap: After purchasing, you’ll need to scan the product’s barcode and take a photo of your receipt using the app. This proves that you’ve bought the item(s) eligible for cashback.
- Get Cashback: Once your purchase is verified, Shopmium will refund the offer amount directly to your PayPal or bank account. The time it takes for the cashback to be processed can vary, but it’s usually quite prompt.
Flipp
Flipp revolutionises the way you access weekly ads and deals from your favourite stores. This app aggregates all the latest offers on groceries, pharmacy items, and household essentials, eliminating the need for paper ads. With Flipp, you’re always in the loop with the best sales near you, ensuring you never miss out on a saving opportunity.
Moreover, Flipp takes saving money to a new level by offering a dynamic search function that lets you compare prices across multiple flyers according to your postcode, helping you ensure you’re getting the lowest location-specific price on your purchases.
The app also sends reminders for expiring deals, so you never miss out on a saving opportunity. With the ability to sync shopping lists and deals across devices, Flipp is perfect for coordinating shopping plans with family members or roommates, ensuring everyone is on the same page and no deal goes unnoticed.
Moneybox
As one of the most highly-recommended savings apps in the UK for 2024, Moneybox simplifies your savings journey. It helps you reach your financial goals by rounding up your purchases to the nearest pound and investing the spare change. While not a direct way to cut costs on your shopping, Moneybox encourages a culture of saving that can positively impact your overall financial health. You can also earn rewards on your shopping via the app.
And hey, if you spend those extra pounds saved on some delicious coffee or, whisper it, an avocado or two, well, we’re not judging you!
Stocard
Stocard is a nifty app that can genuinely help you save money on your weekly shop by transforming your phone into a digital wallet for all your loyalty cards. Just scan your cards using your phone’s camera, and voilà, you have them all in one place, ready to be scanned at checkout, ensuring you never miss out on savings.
Not only does Stocard store your cards, but it also keeps you in the loop with the latest deals from your favorite retailers. For instance, adding your Costa Club card will allow you to receive rewards every time you grab a coffee. No more forgotten cards—your phone now holds the key to all your rewards, making every purchase count towards savings.
In short, Stocard streamlines your shopping experience, making it easier to collect points and save money without the extra bulk in your wallet.
GreenJinn
GreenJinn provides personalised cashback offers on groceries from major UK supermarkets like Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose. By selecting the products you plan to buy and submitting your receipt through the app, you can earn cashback directly to your bank account. GreenJinn’s user-friendly interface and tailored offers make it a must-have for anyone looking to save on everyday essentials.
The app is incredibly user-friendly; shoppers simply select the coupons they wish to use, purchase the items, and then snap a photo of their receipt through the app to claim their cashback. The cashback is then credited directly to the user’s bank or PayPal account, streamlining the process of saving money without the need for collecting points or waiting for long periods to reap the benefits.
What sets GreenJinn apart is its commitment to personalisation. The app uses an intelligent algorithm to recommend offers that are relevant to the user’s shopping habits, thereby ensuring that the deals presented are likely to be used, reducing waste and increasing savings. Moreover, GreenJinn frequently updates its offers, encouraging users to check in weekly to take advantage of the latest deals.
CheckoutSmart
CheckoutSmart offers a similar proposition to GreenJinn, giving you money off household and food items at a wide range of retailers, including Morrisons. The app frequently updates its offers, providing discounts on everything from breakfast cereals to desserts. By uploading your receipt, you can claim cashback rewards, which accumulate in your account until you’re ready to withdraw them.
Too Good To Go
Too Good To Go fights food waste while saving you money by connecting you with local businesses that have surplus food. For a fraction of the original price, you can rescue food that would otherwise go to waste. From bakery goods to restaurant meals, Too Good To Go offers an eco-friendly way to enjoy delicious food at lower prices.
Rather than seeing perfectly good food go to waste, establishments list ‘Magic Bags’ on the app, which users can purchase at a significantly reduced price. These bags are often filled with a variety of items—from bakery goods to fresh produce and ready-to-eat meals—providing a surprise element while saving money and reducing food waste.
The app is a beacon of sustainability, championing the cause of eco-conscious consumption. Users simply browse the app for nearby participating businesses, reserve their Magic Bag, and collect it at the designated time, usually after the lunch rush or just before closing. Too Good To Go has garnered a community of users who not only enjoy the thrill of the ‘lucky dip’ aspect but also take pride in making an environmentally responsible choice.
Honey
A browser extension rather than an app, but too good not to mention nonetheless, Honey automatically searches for and applies discount codes at checkout when you shop online. Whether you’re buying groceries or household items, Honey ensures you never miss out on a discount, making it an invaluable tool for online shoppers.
The Bottom Line
These nine apps offer a variety of ways to save money on your weekly shop in the UK. From cashback and comparison tools to fighting food waste, there’s an app for every type of shopper. By incorporating these tools into your shopping routine, you can become a smarter shopper, saving money without sacrificing the quality of your purchases.