If you’re going to shell out the cash for a smart phone and data plan, you might as well harness some helpful personal finance applications to recoup some of that money! Google’s Android platform has produced some very handy & free personal finance apps. And with news that Android’s market share has passed the iPhone, and 100,000 Android phones are activated daily, there are certainly more strong apps on the way. For the time being, here’s a look at the best android personal finance apps.

Mint.com

By far the most heavily used personal finance smartphone app is the Mint.com mobile app. Also available for iPhones, this free-to-use application syncs with your mint.com account. With real time access to all of your financial account information in one place, it can prove very useful for on-the-spot budgeting decision making, date of purchase lookup, and alerts to pay your bills on time.

Gas Finder

Simply start the App, and Gas Finder will geo-locate you and sync up with a database that will spit out the gas prices of local gas stations. Select the one you like and use your phone as a GPS to be directed to the station. This app is especially handy when you don’t know where the next gas station is when traveling and trying to decide whether you should get off on this exit, or wait for the next.

ShopSavvy

ShopSavvy was the first bar code scanning app for the Android, and remains the most popular app to this day. You basically hold up a bar code, scan it, and then a list of local and online prices are used for comparison to find out whether or not you are getting a good deal. According to ShopSavvy developer Big in Japan, their app is used by more than 5.5 million users around the world providing access to more than 20,000 retailers and 20,0oo,000 products.

OurGroceries

This is no ordinary grocery list. You can sync lists with other users so that if, lets say, your husband or wife remembers while at work that you are out of Bell’s Oberon beer, they can add it to the list and it will auto-sync with your shared list (thus avoiding multiple trips to the store). But one of the best money-saving features is that you can save your list for different stores. I highlighted making unique lists for each store you visit as one of the 4 keys to saving money on food and groceries without sacrifice. This app can help you do just that.

Google Finance

From personal finance news, to real-time stock quotes, to personal portfolio tracking, the Google Finance Android App brings the best of Google Finance to your phone. It’s a one stop shop.

Honorable Mention:

KeyRing App:

This app lets you scan all of the bar codes on those rewards cards for the retailers you frequent, shows them on the screen, and the cashier can scan it off your phone. Reduce keychain clutter!

Mileage App:

This almost made my top 5. It allows you to track what you pay for gas, what kind of mileage you are getting. It’s an app that can serve as a real eye opener that you need to cut down on your commuting expenses (or improve your fuel efficiency).

Bank & ATM Finder App:

This app can give you turn-by-turn directions to the nearest bank or ATM.

TipCalculator App:

Have trouble calculating those pesky tips? Don’t fear if you have this app.

Groupon Android App:

This app uses the Groupon API and clicks over to the Groupon website if you decide to buy a deal. Use wisely.

Android Finance App Discussion:

• Which of these apps are you using for your Android, iPhone, or Blackberry?
• What are your favorite personal finance apps?
• What other apps would you add to this list?

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