Five apps to think about deleting if you want to save money

Smartphone apps drain cash from Aussie households. If you’re losing money like this, don’t get mad - get rid of them, experts say.

Smartphones have quickly become extensions of ourselves, but some apps on them are extending Australians too far financially.

Money specialists say often people don’t realise how their small regular purchases on apps add up to become a lot of lost money.

Financial services firm LCI Partners managing director Gerry Incollingo says there has been a rise in the number of apps draining bank balances as they tempt people to spend.

“People are definitely spending more money on things they don’t necessarily need just because it is so easy to do via your phone,” he says.

“Deleting them means that you need to actually re-download the app and re-sign up in order to make the purchase.”

Here are five types of apps to consider ditching if you want to save money.

FOOD DELIVERY SERVICES

Incollingo says higher-end services such as Deliveroo and Uber Eats charge between $1 and $6 for delivery fees and can take up to 35 per cent from the restaurant, which may charge more for their food.

“The apps then encourage you to tip the drivers, which adds to the overall expense of using a service like this,” he says.

If an app costs you too much money, don’t get angry - get rid of it.

IN-APP PURCHASES

Gaming apps often require players to spend money to get ahead quickly in the game. “All of a sudden your Candy Crush or Clash of the Clans habit could be costing you $300 a month,” Incollingo says.

ONLINE SHOPPING

Incollingo says Amazon’s famous one-click purchase function makes it too easy to buy things you don’t need, and consumers should delete the app and instead buy off the website.

Money coach Karen Eley says shopping apps such as Catch.com.au or Kogan often send sales and bargains that can increase the temptation to spend.

“These notifications really play into our neurobiology and feed our desire for a shopping-inspired dopamine hit,” she says.

AUTOMATIC SUBSCRIPTIONS

From music apps to meditation, beware of anything your regularly pay for but no longer regularly use.

“People can get caught out with automatic subscriptions when they charge your credit card for the next annual subscription automatically, rather than you actually remembering to cancel it when you’re no longer using it,” Eley says.

DATING APPS

Some dating apps offer “premium” subscriptions that cost more. “But they really don’t provide any extra value and you’d be better off sticking with the basic free membership,” Eley says.