Consumer finance expert shares 6 tips on how to save money with apps, including cutting up to £140 off your electricity bills

The average British adult relies on seven apps to streamline their daily lives and save time, money and energy, according to new research from Smart Energy GB.

In fact, these “life manager” apps are so crucial to some people that more than half (62 percent) say they would “struggle to go about their daily routines without them.”

Among technology users, 68 per cent of Britons use apps to manage personal finances, 35 per cent to plan their schedules and 25 per cent to keep track of fitness and wellbeing. And with the energy price cap rising again recently, one of the key areas where the most useful applications are found is when it comes to kmonitoring of energy use.

According to the research, 21% of Brits use apps to control appliances and 69% use energy management apps to check their smart meter and monitor their energy use. About two-thirds (65%) those who do believe that it has also helped them save money on their bills.

Now Smart Energy GB has teamed up with consumer finance expert Steph McGovern to offer her best tips and advice on getting the most out of life management apps, including how to use them to a monitoring of the expenditure and the use of energy.

Consumer finance expert Steph McGovern (pictured) has shared tips on how you can save money with apps

To help consumers get the most out of these apps, Smart Energy GB has partnered with consumer finance expert Steph McGovern to provide helpful advice including tracking spending, canceling unused.

According to research, the average adult uses seven life management apps to manage their daily routines, and half agree that their trusted apps are key to helping them stay productive.

More than three-quarters use smartphone apps to manage their homes, such as checking their energy bills, setting timers and controlling appliances.

Almost half (44%) admit that life management apps help them feel more in control and can even help them save money (65%).

Households with a smart meter believe they have saved an average of £140 a year by using it to help with energy management.

In addition, 22% say they use Life management apps on their devices to help them increase their productivity, and 46% say they help them save time.

Managing personal finances is also a useful feature for 68%, planning their schedules (35%) and keeping track of their fitness and wellbeing (25%).

Meanwhile, just over a fifth (21%) use apps to control appliances, and one in six (17%) to adjust thermostats remotely, while seven in 10 (69%) use apps of energy management to check your smart meter. and control its energy use.

A large number of Britons are using apps to help reduce their energy use, save time and keep track of their fitness and wellbeing.

Research shows that the benefits of using life-organization apps are clear, but those with a smart meter could reap even more benefits.

Three-quarters (77%) of smart meter owners say they use apps to receive alerts that their energy supplier is running an energy reward program, which offers financial rewards for using energy more flexibly.

A whopping 97 percent say this information allows them to plan their weekly schedules to take advantage of potential savings by using less energy when demand is high and using more when excess is available.

With 42 per cent of Brits saying they do their weekly food shop via a supermarket app, 32 per cent use them to book social occasions, it shows just how embedded these apps are in life British daily

Consumer finance expert Steph McGovern said: “Apps have turned mobile phones into pocket-sized personal assistants that have become indispensable tools for managing our lives.

“They really help to keep you on top of life management, especially finances, when it comes to energy use and bills. And, remember to keep an eye out for energy reward schemes that may be available for you, if you have a smart meter installed.

Victoria Bacon, director of Smart Energy GB, added: “We tend to feel much more in control when we have easy access and visibility into our bills, accounts and memberships. This is definitely the case when it comes to usage of energy.’

“Many people with a smart meter use their energy supplier’s app to manage their account, which means they can check their usage and account balance remotely at any time, so they advantages of smart meters already go beyond the screen at home.

“Having a smart meter also gives you access to schemes or tariffs that reward you for being more flexible in the way you use energy.”

Steph McGovern shared her top six tips for reaping the lifestyle and financial benefits of smartphone apps.

1. Make a spreadsheet of your life

It sounds boring, but the more you know about what goes in and out, the more control you have. There are tons of apps to make it easier for you. They’ll categorize your expenses in a simple way so you can see where you might be wasting money.

2. Monitor your energy use

Use your smart meter data to keep track of your home’s energy spending by regularly checking your usage and bills in your supplier’s app. It will help you avoid unexpected spikes in your bills.

3. Stay informed

If you have a smart meter, notifications from the Energy app will keep you up to date on any offers or programs that help you lower your bills.

4. Smart home heating

Many UK homes now have a smart thermostat. This allows you to remotely control your home’s heating so you can choose when to turn it on. Like when you get home after work or when one of the energy reward schemes is running.

5. Track unused subscriptions

There are apps that keep track of the subscriptions you’ve signed up for; they can be very helpful when it comes to canceling services you don’t need and may have forgotten about.

Don’t pay for things you don’t use. There are apps that will monitor your subscriptions and monthly payments and then cancel the ones you don’t use.

6. Get your money paid

Cash back, airline miles, and loyalty points are things you could collect every time you pay for something. Find apps with rewards that are right for you.

If you are interested in finding out more about how to install a smart meter, you can visit www.smartenergygb.org or search ‘get a smart meter’.

For more information on available energy reward programs, customers should visit their energy provider’s website and download their applications.