Apps help keep your finances tuned up

Apps can help when it comes to managing our finances. Here are three apps to consider. One tracks your spending, another enables you to earn money when you shop and the third helps you keep track of your credit cards. » Spendings. With this simple app, you can record your day-to-day purchases, such as that iced latte or blueberry scone you got for breakfast, to help you stay within your spending limit. You could write all the information down in a notebook, but why do so when you can store it all on your phone?

The app, which is $1.99 (it has gone on sale for 99 cents) also allows you to capture images of your receipts and to record locations and stores you frequent (which makes it faster to enter the data). The app is optimized for iPhone 5 but is compatible with iPod touch, iPad and other iPhones.

Details: itunes.apple.com/ us/app/spendings/ id473857206?mt=8. » Ibotta. With this app, you can earn money or rewards for shopping. However, before you go shopping, you have to choose offers and complete certain tasks, such as watching a video, taking a poll or learning a fact.

After you’ve purchased the prescribed items, you take a photo of your receipt and barcode-scan your items. Once your purchases are verified, your account will be credited. (Money is loaded onto your PayPal account.) The amount you can earn depends on the tasks you completed beforehand. You can keep the money or donate it to your choice of school.

The app, which is free, works at 40 retailers, including Walgreen’s, Target, Walmart, CVS/pharmacy and Safeway. It’s compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Android.

Details: itunes.apple.com/ us/app/ibotta/id559887125, play.google.com/store/apps /details?id=com.ibotta .android. » Lemon Wallet. Ever had your wallet stolen or forgotten it at home? Even if you haven’t, you’ll want to take a look at Lemon. This app enables you to keep a copy of all your cards (credit cards, driver’s license, insurance, and grocery store and other loyalty cards) as a backup.

You can keep a copy on your phone and a copy in the cloud. Information is encrypted; you use a PIN to access it.

You also can keep copies of receipts for tracking or tax purposes and get personalized rewards based on your spending habits. If you lose your wallet, a Lemon agent will help you cancel all your credit cards.

The app, which is free, is available for iPhone, Android and Windows phones.

Details: lemon.com.