Seven apps to save you money on daily life in Italy
Whether you're enjoying a cappuccino in a piazza or tackling your grocery list, everyday costs in Italy can quickly add up.
Thankfully, technology can make managing your finances simpler, and there are a number of apps around which are designed specifically to help you save.
Some of these suggestions are specific to Italy, while others may also be used internationally.
From tracking your expenses to finding discounts, these seven apps can help make life in Italy a little more affordable.
Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP
Even small savings at the pump can make a big difference over time. The Prezzi Benzina app helps you locate the cheapest prices at gas stations nearby.
Based on real-time user reports, the app displays updated prices for petrol, LPG and methane. Just enter your location and compare stations nearby to get the best deal before you fill up.
DoveConviene
For anyone looking to cut down on grocery bills, DoveConviene can be used to scout the best deals in your area.
The app uses geolocation to show you current flyers and offers from local supermarkets and retail chains.
You can create a digital shopping list that calculates how much you'll save based on active promotions. It's a simple but powerful way to plan ahead and avoid overspending at the store.
The Fork
You might already be familiar with The Fork, a restaurant reservation app that offers discounts of 20 to 50 percent at participating eateries. It is widely used in Italy.
You can browse menus, reserve a table directly and pay your bill through the app, plus, every booking earns you 'yums', a rewards system that turns into vouchers worth €20 or €50 at selected restaurants.
Too Good To Go
Too Good To Go is designed to fight food waste while saving money, by allowing you to buy unsold food from bakeries, restaurants, supermarkets and cafés at a reduced price.
Participating businesses offer 'magic bags' of food that would otherwise be thrown away, and users can reserve and pay directly through the app.
HYPE HYPE is an all-in-one online account that acts as both a payment method and a personal finance manager.
The app offers a built-in IBAN, virtual and physical cards and compatibility with online and in-store payments, as well as cashback at over 900 online stores and includes goal-setting features that let you save specific amounts over time, turning your smartphone into a digital piggy bank.
You can also monitor your income and spending, send and receive money, pay bills and more, all from the same platform.
Monefy
For those who like a hands-on approach to budgeting, Monefy is an easy-to-use expense tracking app that helps you categorise your purchases and monitor where your money goes.
Whether it's groceries, rent, transportation or entertainment, Monefy lets you customise expense categories and payment methods for a clear picture of your financial habits.
It generates useful reports based on the data you enter, making it easier to plan your budget and stick to it.
Tricount
If you're sharing expenses with friends or housemates, Tricount is a practical solution for managing group spending, especially during trips or shared living situations.
Users can create a shared expense list where each participant logs what they've paid for, and the app automatically calculates how much everyone owes.
It also offers a free credit card option, with purchases tracked directly in the app.
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