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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Couple honored for helping save drive-by victim's life ... Burn on Lower Table Rock will give native species a chance to return ... 'A kidney to spare' ... Couple honored for helping save drive-by victim's life ... Burn on Lower Table Rock will give native species a chance to return ... 'A kidney to spare' ... Right shopping apps can save money, consumer expert says More consumers are using their smartphones during their trips to the grocery store. The right apps can save time and money, experts say. Comment By Bill Gephardt, KSL MailTribune.com By Bill Gephardt, KSL Posted Apr. 14, 2015 at 2:05 PM By Bill Gephardt, KSL Posted Apr. 14, 2015 at 2:05 PM » Social News More consumers are using their smartphones during their trips to the grocery store. The right apps can save time and money, experts say. Some people consider grocery shopping a necessary evil, but the digital explosion of shopping apps is changing the process for millions of Americans. More than two-thirds of the 1,200 shoppers surveyed in the Ninth Decimal Mobile Audience Insight Report said they use their smartphones to find coupons. Additionally, 59 percent say they use their smartphone or tablet to create shopping lists. Theresa Hunsaker, a food economist, says using these apps absolutely can save money. "I have seen people save $75 to $100 a month on their grocery bill," she said. Hunsaker says the first thing she checks when looking into a shopping app is its cost to consumers. She warns some apps can get quite pricey for a budget-conscious shopper. "It can be as high at $20, $30 a month, depending on the different features. Bar code scanning, whether it's the use of leftovers, really whatever. It really adds up. We're talking from 99 cents to $21 and $25 add ons," she said. Hunsaker says many free apps will deliver the basics. However, they're usually limited in their scope. "So I might be able to get one that gives me my grocery list, that will plan my menus, but it won't lead me necessarily to the items on the shelves that are on sale that are on my list, or vice versa," she explained. The challenge for consumers is figuring out which apps will suit their needs, she said. To save money, she recommends consumers get serious about menu planning, shopping lists and checking out consistent ads. "They have to decide on what features are going to save them the most time and money," she said. "To me, it's no big deal to open up my iPad and move from one free app in menu and list-creating to what's on sale in my area off that." Hunsaker says fee apps like Food Planner add ingredients from downloaded recipes to your shopping lists. She then uses a coupon app like Flipp to find sales in this area. By Bill Gephardt, KSL MailTribune.com By Bill Gephardt, KSL Posted Apr. 14, 2015 at 2:05 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501