Using coupons is a great way to save money -- that is, if you have time to clip them or search for them on the Web. But a lot of us don't, or we accidentally leave the coupons at home when we go to the store. That's what makes Coupon Sherpa, a relatively new iPhone and iPod Touch application, appealing.
Launched in March by Luke Knowles, the free app -- yes, FREE -- lets you download in-store coupons for retailers, restaurants and services. You can search by store or category, and the coupons appear as barcodes on your iPod or iPhone screen. Some reviewers of the app complain that the codes don't always scan. Knowles says they work only at stores with optical barcode scanners (most still don't use this technology), but the cashier can type in the code. Besides, he adds, a lot of printable coupons don't scan either.
Most days, Coupon Sherpa has at least 100 coupons from well-known stores that you could find in any major city. And some of the coupons are exclusive to Coupon Sherpa. Unfortunately, it doesn't have grocery coupons -- but that's because the technology isn't there yet from the manufacturers, which want the paper trail of print coupons, Knowles says.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
However, Coupon Sherpa now has a Web site (launched the beginning of September) that has hundreds of grocery coupons -- as well as coupon codes for online retailers and printable coupons.
A couple other mobile coupon apps you might want to check out: MobiQpons and Yowza.
-
What Is a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)?Tax Breaks A QCD can lower your tax bill while meeting your charitable giving goals in retirement. Here’s how.
-
Embracing Generative AI for Financial SuccessGenerative AI has the potential to reshape how we approach learning about and managing our personal finances.
-
Five Reasons You Shouldn't Shop on Amazon Prime DaySmart Buying Think twice before getting lured into buying a bunch of stuff you don't need just because it's on sale.
-
Five Ways to Save on Vacation Rental PropertiesTravel Use these strategies to pay less for an apartment, condo or house when you travel.
-
How to Avoid Annoying Hotel Fees: Per Person, Parking and MoreTravel Here's how to avoid extra charges and make sure you don't get stuck paying for amenities that you don't use.
-
Best Cash Back Credit Cards December 2024Smart Buying Trying to compare the best cash back credit cards? Unlike most reviewers, we include cards from small banks and credit unions, as well as from large issuers.
-
How to Spend $1,000: Find Cheap (or Free) Online Courses to Build Career SkillsSmart Buying There's a huge array of skill-building online courses that can level up your career for under $1,000.
-
MoviePass is Relaunching. Should You Sign Up?Smart Buying The subscription discount movie card company has a checkered past and an army of disillusioned former cardholders. If you want to try the reboot, you’ll need to hurry.
-
HBO Max Is Offering Huge DiscountsSmart Buying Looking for a streaming service deal? Warner Bros. Discovery is cutting the price of HBO Max.
-
Are You Streaming Too Much? What the Discovery+/HBO Max Mashup MeansSmart Buying Fewer original scripted series? Maybe. And maybe it’s time to unsubscribe.
