Five apps to delete if you want to save money by cutting spending

Technology saves consumers a lot of time but can also cost them a small fortune. These apps can be among the biggest culprits.

Apps do a great job of organising Aussies’ lives – from banking and budgeting to transport and fitness – but some are potentially dangerous money-suckers that can put a big dent in people’s wealth.

Sometimes pressing the delete button, even if only temporarily, can produce big savings, finance specialists say.

“What apps have done in our lives is make things easy,” says Sort My Money founder David Rankin.

“In this economic climate you can argue they’re making it too easy – to buy food, to buy now and pay later, to access payday lending,” he says.

“Take them away and give some thought to what you really need.

“Carrying the world around in your pocket is convenient, but the temptation to spend money is never far away.”

Here are five types of apps where deleting can deliver savings.

1. GAMES THAT DRAIN

LCI Partners managing partner Gerry Incollingo says ask yourself who is really being gamed by online games that require in-app purchases.

Gerry Incollingo says watch out for apps that charge extra fees.

“Think Candy Crush and other gaming apps that encourage you to pay for upgrades or more points,” he says.

“They become addictive and it is best to keep anything like that off your phone to keep you away from temptation.”

2. GAMBLING APPS

Gambling boomed during the pandemic, and gambling app advertisements often dominate our TV screens – even with their “gamble responsibly” disclaimers.

“Having a gambling app on your phone can lead to you spending way more than you intend to,” Incollingo says.

3. FOOD DELIVERY

Watch out for apps that add their own delivery fees, says Incollingo.

“It’s so much cheaper to just walk down and pick up your food if you want takeaway,” he says.

4. DUPLICATES

Are you doubling up on dating apps, face-tuning apps or other services?

Don’t, says Incollingo, who adds that people should check their credit card statements to ensure they are not signed up to apps they have forgotten.

5. LENDING

Short-term lending and buy now, pay later apps make spending money easier then ever, making them potentially dangerous.

Rankin says consumers should “know their own limits”.

“The trouble with apps is it’s all too instant and buyers’ remorse comes too late,” he says.

“It’s like a cooling off clause in a contract – there’s no cooling off with an app.”

Originally published as Five apps to delete if you want to save money by cutting spending