Saving money toward your goals is a noble cause; you know you’ll have to make sacrifices. Cut a few lattes here; cook a few more meals there. Avoid the mall, even on payday. After a few weeks or if you’re really patient, months, staring at your four walls with nothing shiny and new to open you’re bored. Who says you have to cut out all of the fun to make it happen? These genius apps will help you continue the party while still saving some green. Of course, you’d save more if you didn’t go out at all, but that would make you extremely boring.
Get Ready
Level Money
You need to know how much money you have to work with in the first place. Level Money connects to your account and calculates how much you really have to spend on those extras. It records the percentage that you spend on necessities and calculates what you have for disposable income. Truth, brutal truth. Level Money also insists that you tap in an amount for savings, making this a mindful app for your savings goals and your party habits.
Retail me Not
Need something to wear on your epic nights out? If you really can’t resist the shopping bug, at least avoid paying full price. Retail Me Not has thousands of e coupons for the stores you shop at already. A simple Google search for your store in the search field can snag you 10-40 % off without clipping one piece of paper. Don’t pay retail if you don’t have to. It’s just a saving buster.
Get a Drink
Happy Hour Finder
Margaritas are not just for Cinco de Mayo. If you like to drink socially with friends or people you barely know, the prices can be really steep. Craft cocktails and specialty drink prices climb higher every year. The one saving grace for the social drinker’s wallet is happy hour. The glorious twilight between getting off of your 9-5 and prime time TV hour, happy hour is one tradition most people love. Don’t pay 30 bucks for drinks when you could pay 15 (plus tips of course) Squeeze in with the other social butterflies without feeling guilty about your nightcap.
Scoutmob
Drink specials are great, but you want even more. Food and drink specials. Find the best deals around your area or wherever you have the motivation to go that night. Scoutmob is your personal friend in the know that tells you where all of the best deals are and pictures can describe the vibe much better than your friend who never really explains anything well.
Go to an Event
GroupOn
Groupon delivers the deal smackdowns. The most well known of all savings apps, Groupon is still great for deep discounts on restaurants, spas, fun classes and just about anything you’d do for entertainment. Merchants line up to entice you into spending some of your money with them by giving you a discount. Decide what category you’d like to try before opening or you’ll get sidetracked by the sheer number of tempting deals on the popular site. Groupon is handy for trying out a new experience alone or with friends. I’ve been invited to some amazing Groupon deal activities. Take advantage of however Groupon negotiates its discounts and try something new this weekend.
TodayTix
Broadway bound? TodayTix has major deals for last minute ticket to live shows and concerts. See a play, catch your favorite pop star or check out a new band. Promoters use this site to offload their leftover tickets so its a win for you and them. The tickets aren’t just for NYC area urbanites. The company started in NYC and used Broadway and off Broadway as its guinea pig. Now, TodayTix has deals in major cities like Miami, Los Angeles and Chicago. If you like to see a live show, check if TodayTix has a local version for your area.
Getting There
Gas Buddy
Well, if you go out you have to get there. Even when gas prices fall we still want to pay as little as possible. Be sure you got the best price with your new friend, Gas Buddy. Gas Buddy will search and tell you who has the cheapest gas in your current area or the address you type in. Don’t pay 5 cent more per gallon because you didn’t drive down the street. How tragic would that be?
Best Parking
Parking may be the most expensive part of your night if you’re not careful. Garages and lots make a killing every weekend. There are slight variations in price but sometimes you can luck out. Best Parking finds the most economical parking wherever you are. You could save anywhere from $2-20 depending on ow crazy parking prices are in your area.
Uber
You want to drink a little more for happy hour? Then don’t drive yourself. Uber is almost everywhere. It;s a on call cab whenever you want one. Sure, that the concept of all cabs but for some reason Uber caught on. It may be the cheaper pricing and the apps ease of use. It’s now is a new verb. Just download the app and link up to your account if you haven’t already Really–Where have you been?
Get Out of Town
Hip Munk
While there’s plenty of fun to be had at home, you have to escape sometimes. Use Hipmunk to find super deals on flights, hotels and travel packages. Hipmunk lives up to its name and rates each service or product with a Hip Agony or Ecstasy rating. Stars are so outdated. Get with the hipsters and travel on a budget and in style.
Hotel Tonight
Last minute getaway fun requires a focused last minute effort to secure some type of plan. Hotel Tonight will find the best rates for your last minute fun. They understand you. You loathe planning or you put it off thinking that saving money was a better option. Then you got over it. You have to GET OUT NOW! Don’t despair Hotel Tonight will cater to your last minute planning needs.
These 11 apps will make the most of your money when you want to have fun and feel less guilty about dipping into your savings account. But don’t go too crazy. You still have some saving to do.
Photo by: Jason Howie, CC by 2.o via Flickr