Free (or inexpensive) and frugal iPhone applications

photo by visual dichotomy

If you have an iPhone, you’ve looked over the iTunes.com app store. There are a lot of free and low-cost apps available — for the iPhone and other smart phones — to help you to save time and money.

What are your favorite apps that help you stay frugal?

Here are a few suggested applications that can help you with your frugality.

REDBOX: This app lets you search and reserve movies at local RedBox kiosks. And it’s free. Sign up at the Web site (www.redbox.com) to receive periodic e-mails, and they’ll send special offers and free promo codes, too.

FLIXTER: Watch movie trailers, find new DVD releases, check ratings and reviews, manage your Netflix queue, look up theater showtimes and order tickets, and buy or rent movies through iTunes. Free app (www.flixster.com).

CHEAP GAS: Find the cheapest gas in your area. It maps the location of stations, too. This free app is based on information from www.gasbuddy.com.

CARDSTAR: No need to carry all your loyalty, club and rewards cards. This application will store your information so it can be scanned directly from your screen. Download is free (www.mycardstar.com).

KIDS EAT FOR: Find restaurants where kids eat free or get discounted specials. You can search by location or restaurant name, read reviews, and see menus from many restaurants. It has a map that shows directions, too. Cost: $2.99 (www.kidseatfor.com).

MOBIQPONS: It shows coupons for stores, restaurants and services near you or deals at any location. Free to download (www.mobiqpons.com).

SHOPSHOP: Easy and practical grocery-list application to replace a paper list. You can create a list and e-mail it to someone else. Simply touch the screen to cross items off the list as you shop. It remembers previous entries. There are tons of grocery-shopping-list apps available, but this one keeps it basic and simple — and it’s free (www.nschum.de/apps/ShopShop).

SAVE BENJIS: While you shop in-store, check to see whether it’s cheaper online. It compares prices, and you can buy your item directly online if it’s the best price (www.savebenjis.com).

BIG OVEN: It features more than 170,000 recipes, finds ways to use up leftovers, and offers storage and substitution tips and ratings. Search by ingredients, title or keyword. Download for free (www.bigoven.com).

COMPAREME SHOPPING UTILITY: It compares products in different sizes and packages (unit price) to find the best price. Cost: $1.99 (www.codedifferent.com/compareme/iphone).

COUPON SHERPA: Get exclusive coupons and find in-store coupons on the Internet. This free app finds the nearest store and lets you e-mail coupons to friends. You can show coupons on your iPhone in-store or print at home and bring them in (www.couponsherpa.com).

MINT.COM PERSONAL FINANCE: Handle your budget anywhere you go. This app can see your income, budget, expenses, deposits, etc. Safe and secure, it alerts you when you’re spending activity is unusual, your cash or credit is low, or if you overspend. Free to download (www.mint.com).

CHECK PLEASE LITE TIP CALCULATOR: It calculates tips or splitting a bill among multiple people, and has the option not to tip on the tax. This simple and effective app is free to download (http://www.catamount.com/blog/?cat=28).

I like the job apps, too. Indeed.com and Careerbuilder.com both offer job apps.