Map your cash splash with apps

Increasingly, your fiscal future lies in the palm of your hand, in the shape of a glut of mobile money-management apps.

For your convenience, here are 10 cherry-picked saving apps that work in Australia and cost nothing. Use them wisely and your smartphone just might pay for itself.

1 Coles App If you're prone to splash cash at the supermarket and buy things you don't need, you might want to take Coles' money saving app for a spin - it allows you to browse and list weekly specials. Then you can easily pinpoint the bargains you want because the app sorts items by aisle.

2 Woolworths App Also in on the app act, rival retail giant Woolworths matches Coles' e-commerce effort feature for feature. Think aisle-ordered product listing, Caltex fuel-cost comparisons and specials on your favourite items.

3 Sniip Instead of tying your wallet to any particular retailer, price-comparison app Sniip invites you to shop around. In theory, thanks to the choice that Sniip provides, you need never again fret about whether you overpaid for a purchase.

4 ATM Hunter by MasterCard We've all resorted to using an out-of-network ATM and been stung. ATM Hunter kindly leads you to ATMs linked with your bank, potentially saving you from dreaded fees.

5 Australian Stock Manager Australian Stock Manager lets you track your ASX portfolio on the move. The app, armed with charts and "live news", taps sources including Google Finance.

6 MoneySmart Financial Calculator Federal fiscal app the MoneySmart Financial Calculator is a powerful tool that gives you the long view on your spending. The calculator predicts how fast you can save for your next big purchase - be it a holiday or a home deposit. The calculator also says how much super you will have on retirement.

7 Moneytribe Innovative shopping app Moneytribe lets you sit back while merchants - specifically health insurers and home-loan providers - fight for your dollar. You just anonymously submit your requirements and watch the offers roll in.

8 GasBag Australia If you are sick of overpaying for petrol, the user-driven app GasBag Australia could help. Reliant on public participation for leads, GasBag claims to be the fastest way to find the cheapest fuel near you.

9 Grocery Run Purpose-built for shopping on the go without a wonky trolley, the supermarket-style flash-sale app Grocery Run offers steep savings on a range of food - if you are quick. The app's clock is ticking.

10 CatchOfTheDay Flash-sale app CatchOfTheDay, which is modelled on a department store, also offers hefty discounts to snappy shoppers. Its goods run the gamut from toys and electronics to jewellery.

For links to all these apps, go to theage.com.au/money