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5 Ways to Save Money Using Your Smartphone

By WTOP Staff

We all want to save a little money, but sometimes our busy schedules get in the way of our budgets. However, there’s no excuse for overspending when most of us have a great money-saving tool in our purses and pockets. Here are five ways to save a ton using your smartphone:

Compare Prices

It’s easy to spot a good deal, but wouldn’t you rather have the best deal? Apps like RedLaser allow you to scan the barcode on an item to see if it’s offered for less at another retailer. It’s as easy as taking a picture with your smartphone, and it can save you a ton.

Park for Less

If you live in a city, you know parking can add up quickly. When I made the move from a small town to a big city, I was completely unprepared for parking expenses. The obvious way to cut down on parking costs is to carpool and split the cost. But another great way to save is to use apps like SpotHero to find cheap parking spots around your city. I used this app while vacationing in Chicago and parked for $5. Most of the garages charged $25 at the very least, so I saved $20 by parking in a spot only a few blocks from the expensive lots. Most people use apps like this when they’re on vacation, but why not try it in your city? It could end up saving you hundreds of dollars on your work-week and recreational parking.

Be Loyal to Your Favorite Retailers

If you find yourself shopping at the same stores over and over again, your loyalty can save you money. All you have to do is add your favorite store to the pile of social media apps and games on your smartphone. Many stores have their own apps that help you save time and money while shopping. For example, Target’s Cartwheel app allows you to shop sales and coupons and add them to a shopping list. It then creates one barcode hosting all your coupons to scan at checkout. If you ask me, that sounds much more appealing than cutting coupons, bringing them to the store and rummaging through the bag to figure out which ones you need.

Another way to stay loyal is to follow your favorite brands on social media. Most of us use our smartphones to check social media throughout the day anyway. If you’re following your favorite stores and brands, you’ll be included in chances to save. Many companies host special coupons and savings opportunities for their social media followers.

Save on Gas

We all know that saving a little can go a long way. Every cent counts when it comes to buying gas. You can save $500 or more every year simply by choosing the lowest gas prices in your area when you fill up. I don’t know about you, but I’m a bit lazy when it comes to filling the gas tank. Sometimes it’s easiest to use a convenient gas station on my way home from work, but the convenience ends up costing a bundle. The good news is there are other, convenient options that don’t waste your money.

You can download apps like GasBuddy to find the best prices on gas near you. It’s as easy as opening the app and typing in your zip code. Take the extra two minutes and check your fuel app before filling up. Just think of all the things you could buy with that $500.

Use the Calculator

The calculator on your smartphone might not seem too significant, but it can save you a bundle at the grocery store. We all know that products are packaged in different quantities for our convenience, but we don’t always think about the cost. Buying pre-packaged produce can be the biggest reason you waste money at the grocery store. It looks easy and convenient, but most of the time your wallet suffers the consequences. Whip out the calculator on your smartphone, and see if the price of pre-packaged fruits and vegetables are really worth the convenience. All you have to do is figure out how much each option costs per pound. This works for shelved items too. You’ll be surprised at how much you’ll save by checking the price per unit.

Smartphones make our lives easier in so many ways and saving money is no exception. With all of these apps at your fingertips, there’s no reason to pay full price for anything.

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5 Ways to Save Money Using Your Smartphone originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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