10 Coupon Apps to Download ASAP If You Have Kids

Clipping coupons from newspapers or even printing them off from your email inbox used to be one of the best ways to save money on your family's essentials. And while plenty of us still use paper coupons that come in the mail on the reg (think Bed Bath & Beyond or Sephora) or the ones that trail your receipt at a drugstore (hey, CVS!), there are a bevy of coupon apps that make saving money even faster and easier. Here are some favorites for families that are definitely worth a download.

The CVS Mobile App

If you frequent the drugstore, you'll do well to download the CVS app, which features ExtraCare deals and rewards. Just link your ExtraCare account within the mobile app, and it displays a custom list of deals, rewards, and offers just for you, plus manufacturer coupons on hundreds of popular items. You can also opt in to receive one text message per week including either a reminder to use an expiring coupon or an exclusive personalized offer that can be sent directly to a connected ExtraCare card by simply tapping and visiting the link in message.

Honey

The time-saving Honey app allows you to shop at more than 400 stores online and will search through all the coupons available for that store before applying it at the end of your transaction. It'll also price compare on sites like Amazon, where it'll direct you to an item being sold at a lower price by a different seller.

Shopkick

Shopkick isn't a straightforward coupon app so much as it is a way to earn money back. The app allows you to choose a gift card you'd like to start earning toward; you can choose from options like Disney, Target, Walmart, GameStop, Fandango, and Barnes & Noble. Then, you start earning "kicks" (Shopkick's reward currency). Kicks can be earned by simply walking into participating retailers, scanning items in the aisles, scanning receipts after purchases, making online purchases, and watching online videos through the app. The hunt for kicks can even be turned into an exciting scavenger hunt for the kids as they scour the aisles for the right items to scan or purchase, making everyday shopping fun for everyone. An once you've racked up enough kicks, you earn your free gift card and can start earning toward your next.

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SavingStar

The go-to grocery coupon app, SavingStar, allows you to add the stores you frequent (and they cover a lot of ground with 70,000 locations on the app!), activate rebates before you shop, and then, every time you redeem a rebate or make an Always On purchase, you earn a SavingStar reward. Your cash rewards will be automatically sent to your SavingStar account. Once your SavingStar account balance reaches $20, you can cash out.

Dosh

If going into an app and activating offers before shopping feels like a hassle, or something you'll easily forget, Dosh might be a smart way to go. "Dosh is a cashback app that will give you money for shopping at partnered stores," explains Michael Outar, the owner of the personal finance website Savebly.com. "All you need to do is link your debit cards and credit cards to Dosh and just shop like you normally would. It's a true set it and forget it savings app that is perfect for the busy parent."

The Target App

If you're a fan of the big box store (and let's be real, who isn't?), you can use Target's app to scan items while shopping in the store and get the online (typically lower) price at checkout. If you're using the app to shop through their online stock, you'll get access to every offer and coupon applicable as well.

Ibotta

This coupon app allows you to scan item barcodes to find out if there are any rebates available on the item. After you check out, you upload a picture of your receipt into the app, and Ibotta will give you cash back. "They work with thousands of brands so you can be sure that you are always saving money," notes Outar. "Along with cash back, Ibotta has a lot of coupons right within the app that you can use to get discounts on your purchases."

Fetch Rewards

Another cashback style coupon app, Fetch Rewards doesn't pay out in cash; the app gives you points that can be redeemed for gift cards. "Fetch Rewards works with a few different brands than Ibotta does so it might be best to use both apps to maximize your savings," explains Outar. "You will get access to a lot of coupons as well as getting points for making purchases. Fetch Rewards also has this cool feature where you can build your grocery list within the app and they will find the best deals for you."

The Dollar General App

Talk about savings on savings. The Dollar General app allows you to scan items in the store to search for available coupons.

Coupons.com App

The Coupon.com app allows you to link your store loyalty cards to your Coupons.com account. You can browse through hundreds of free grocery coupons by store and add them. Then, you'll either save at checkout or get cash back with a receipt, and the money goes into your PayPal account ASAP.