Money saving apps are worth it only if the money you are keeping in your wallet by using them amounts to more than what you paid for the app plus the effort of using it. Here are 4 tried and true apps that really help you keep your dollars and are easy to use during your shopping trips:

Grocery IQ

Grocery IQ is one hot app with a database of millions of items. It allows you to create shopping lists categorized by stores and further divided by aisle layout.

You can add items to your shopping lists via barcode scanning, voice or text. In addition, you can sync lists with other members of the family, so be ready to ditch the pen-and-paper “honey buy” list.

Grocery IQ is a great way to simplify your shopping, because you can add products to favorite lists and you’re able to access your shopping history at any time. However, the best feature of this app is that it gives you access to integrated coupons, which you can email to yourself or send directly to your printer through wi-fi.

Shopkick

Shopkick is an app that rewards you with “kicks”. It may sound weird, but think about the kick you get when you go shopping with a gift card in hand. What is innovative about Shopkick is that you don’t have to buy anything to get reward points.

All you have to do is visit participating locations (such as Target, Macy’s, Best Buy, Crate&Barrel, Old Navy, Exxon and Mobil convenience stores), and you get kicks that you can then redeem for gift cards. If you decide to buy something from one of the retailers, you can just link your credit or debit card to your app and you’ll collect more kicks for your purchases.

Mint

Personal finance bloggers have been singing praises to Mint.com for years, so it’s good to know that Mint is now an app. In true Mint fashion, this budgeting app is free and very easy to use. Mint allows you to see where your money is coming from and where it’s going, and it automatically updates and organizes your spending history.

You can also set financial goals and track your progress. Mint is safe to use because it only analyzes your information, and it’s not allowed to make any changes to your accounts. The Mint free budgeting app helps you stay on top of your finances, eliminating the need to resort to a payday loan when you’re strapped to cash.

RetailMeNot

RetailMeNot is a well-established and much-loved website in the frugal living community. The good news is that they now have an app that makes couponing even easier. You can browse coupons on-the-go, which eliminates the hassle of having to clip or print them before your shopping trip.

The app even sends notifications for coupons for nearby locations when you’re in a mall, so you don’t miss out on any good deals. If you choose not to use a coupon, you can always send it to a friend or save it for later.