Apps that make sense and save cents

From complimentary music to free calls and cheaper petrol, you can save a lot of money with your tablet or smartphone, writes CONOR POPE, Consumer Affairs Correspondent

WHAT’S ’APPENING

When we asked on Twitter last week for users’ favourite money-saving apps, Whatsapp was the one most frequently mentioned. And it is not hard to see why.

It is free, which we like, and allows you to message people anywhere in the world at absolutely no cost, which we like even more.

We are pretty sure the mobile-phone companies hate this as it allows people to circumvent the sometimes ridiculous prices they charge for sending texts and images, particularly when you are abroad.

HELLO HAILO

This is undoubtedly our new favourite app. Launched in Ireland last summer, it allows you to get a taxi using your smart phone.

It has five key advantages. When you order a cab using this you can track its progress as it heads towards you, which is nice. It also allows you to pay by credit card, which means you will never have to get your cab driver to stop at an ATM again.

You don’t have to pay the call-out charge, which currently stands at €2, and you are given five minutes from the moment the taxi arrives before the meter is started, so if you are running a little bit late you are not penalised for it.

You are also sent the name and a picture of your taxi driver, and you are emailed a receipt, which allows you to track just how much you are spending on cabs.

SPOT ON

The days of spending serious money on music look numbered. Spotify, which finally came to Ireland late last year, allows you to stream music on to your phone for nothing. You build playlists or allow Spotify to build them for you, hit play and away you go. It is quite brilliant. You can pay for a premium service but we would suggest you sign up for the free deal first to see if you like it.

PUMP IT UP

While the cost of petrol and diesel has fallen slightly in recent weeks it is still expensive, so anything that helps us cut the cost is to be welcomed.

The Pumps.ieapp uses GPS to work out where you are at any given moment and then gives you real-time information on the price of petrol and diesel at garages nearby.

The price difference between neighbouring garages can be more than 10 cent a litre – or €6 a fill-up – so the savings made by shopping smarter can add up.

TAX MASTERS

How many times have you visited you GP over the past 12 months? Or your dentist? The Anytime Health Expenses app will help you to remember all visits and claim the tax back, too.

You simply record all your medical, dental and nursing-home expenses in a “diary-like manner” and claim your refunds via this app. It is very handy if you want to ensure your tax affairs are in order and you get back what is due to you. Its creators deserve a whole lot of credit.