With the exception of a couple of items, I was not inspired by any of the deals this week. I hope CVS has some great deals next week because I’ll need to use some of my ECB’s (a lot of them expire at the end of the month). This week, I did purchase a CFL lightbulb priced at $2.99 which offered $2.00 in ECB’s. I also purchased two $15 iTunes gift cards. Currently, CVS is offering $5.00 in ECB’s with the purchase of two iTunes gift cards. Even though they often offer ECB’s for purchasing gift cards, CVS does not allow you to use ECB’s to purchase gift cards. So the $30 was out of pocket. Since I frequent iTunes, I think it was worth it.
I thought today I’d share a few of my favorite iPhone apps. Most of these apps help me save time and money.
- Notes – This app comes loaded on your phone. I use this a lot to make lists of things I want to remember. I don’t always have a pen and paper, but I usually have my phone. I also use this app to keep a running list of supplies that periodically need to be replaced. For example, I keep my printer model number here, in case I run across a deal on printer cartridges.
- Calculator – I know this is a basic one, but I find myself using it a lot. This also comes loaded on your phone. It’s perfect for calculating the unit price on an item, so you know whether you’re getting a good deal or not. And, did you know if you turn your phone sideways it turns into a scientific calculator?
- TeuxDeux – I’ve been using the TeuxDeux website for awhile. I was really excited when it became available as an iPhone app. This app lets you keep a to-do list which will sync between the website and the app. You can make a list by date, move items around from day to day, and cross them off.
- Time Flies – I just started using this one, but I think it’s really going to be useful. This app lets you keep track of all those chores that you should be doing periodically, like changing the air filters in your house. You enter the task in the app, and then it keeps track of when you completed it. Then as you do it again you go into the event and update it. It will keep a history for you.
- RedLaser – I also just started using this one. This app lets you scan the barcode of an item and then it will give you a list of pricing at various stores. I don’t think it’s meant for groceries because most of the info it provides is online pricing. I envision using it when I’m at a store, thinking about buying an item, but wonder if I can get a better deal online.
- MPG – When I got my first car, my Dad taught me to keep a mileage log every time I filled the tank. Although, I rarely actually calculated my gas mileage, I knew I could and had the information for the life of my care. I became a bit compulsive about it and cannot fill the tank without writing down the mileage. The great thing about this app is that it calculates the MPG for you. If my gas mileage goes down, I know I should probably check my tire pressure. And it’s become a game to see how high I can get it.
- i.TV – Whenever I hear about a movie that I want to add to my Netflix queue, I pull out my phone and enter it into this app. It will add it to my queue for me.
- WiFi Photo Transfer – I just discovered this app this week. I love it! It allows you to transfer you photos from you iPhone to your computer over your WiFi network. No more cords!
- Byline – If you subscribe to a lot of RSS feeds (aka blogs like this one) this app will sync with Google Reader and download your unread feeds to your phone, perfect for letting you catch up while your stuck waiting somewhere.
I have a lot of apps on my phone but I think these are among the most useful. What are your favorite apps?
