Believe it or not, I have a friend who is more money conscious than I am. Perhaps that is exactly why we’re the perfect shopping buddies. In high school we used to create havoc in the street malls and black markets of Shanghai. Even the toughest negotiator would have a nervous break down by the time my friend concluded her shopping. In fact, I’m certain she is Jack Donaghy’s original mentor.
In December of 2012 my friend still did not own a smart phone, mostly to avoid the her monthly bill increasing five fold. Earlier this year she caved and joined team iPhone. Her reasoning had nothing to do with needing constant email access, access to Instagram or planning to crush any bar debate with a simple Google search. No, no. A mere app convinced my friend to pay 60 extra bucks a month for a phone: ScoutMob.
ScoutMob is a pretty easy to use app. It’s free to download and you just pick your city, or plug in your area code, and let it “scout deals” for you in your area. The deals aren’t available to just anyone. They are specific to ScoutMob users.
Many of the deals feature a XX % off meals at local restaurants. However, you can also find local events and under-the-radar happenings in your city. They also offer Pop Up deals which are only available to app users and valid during specific days and times.
Unfortunately, ScoutMob does not work for any US city. Currently, the app is only available for those living in (or visiting) New York, Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Nashville, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington DC. In good news, it is iPhone, Android and Blackberry compatible.
If you don’t have a smartphone, but want to find some local, off-the-beaten-path events then the ScoutMob website can help. However, most deals are only available if you use the app to check in at the location where the deal is offered.
I just discovered S’MAC in Murray Hill is offering 50% off! Pardon me while I go binge eat some delicious Mac ‘N Cheese.
I feel like I enjoy negotiating overseas a little *too* much. The amount of negotiating and mind games I’ve put into saving what frequently turns out to be a few American cents is pretty embarrassing. I’m surprised I haven’t tried this savings app yet, given that I have all the other ones like groupon, livingsocial, retailmenot, and so forth… Thanks for the heads up
I need to get on my Groupon and LivingSocial game a bit more. People get some epic deals that way!
I don’t like these things as it gets you to buy things you wouldn’t have in the first place. But I did sign up for Scout Mob a while back (because I remember constantly deleting their emails) though I can’t remember what got me to sign up for it in the first place. I don’t remember using the app though but…I do like that it is geo-targeting. Pretty neat for when travelling and trying to find new places to try!
ps: your friend could have spent $100 on an iTouch and no monthly bill 🙂
I think you can download the app to your phone and unsubscribe from the emails. They have some pretty great deals, especially if you’re planning to go out to eat.
I should have recommended the iTouch! I think she was finally ready for a smartphone upgrade though. Plus, she’s in med school and needs pretty constant email access.
Sounds like a good idea – especially for expensive cities that might be harder to find good deals in. I know we want to plan a trip out to New York and it sounds like Scout Mob might be a good thing to check out before heading out that way. Thanks for the tip!
No worries! Definitely check it out for a trip to NYC.
Sounds like a great app but I think I would not like to have it in the hands of wifey. Sometimes a deal just pushes some people to be able to justify spending on something they would have never purchased in the first place. It seems like your friend is good with money and knows what she would rather spend her money on. I am horrible about haggling. I need to take your friend with me to make some purchases.
Yeah, the two of us were a pretty lethal combo in Shanghai. I’m a master of the “walk away” tactic.
I like ScoutMob for when I already have plans to go out for lunch or dinner. I don’t bother opening it otherwise, but it could encourage needless spending.
LOL, I agree with Thomas: Scout Mob sounds super cool but would NOT be good for me either, as I LOVE going out to eat. It’s reasons like this that make me happy I don’t have a Smartphone. 🙂
Finding people without smartphones is so rare these days! I forget how I functioned without one now. My best friend refuses to get one because her phone bill is only $15 a month. It seems that most careers have started requiring them though…
I am not familiar with ScoutMob but since I live in the one of the cities that can take advantage of it – I should probably download it! Who doesn’t love a good deal? 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Erin. Have a great week!
After I wrote this my Mom wrote an email to the company requesting they add Charlotte to their list of cities!
I’m always amazed at how many useful apps there are for finding deals. I have a list of about 10 that I have yet to check out; looks like I have another one to add to the list!
What are your recs for good apps?!
Hey thnaks BrokeMillennial, i am living in Austin and gonna to try “ScoutMob”…thanks once again for sharing such money saving tip
I love this SO much because (1) I am about to download this…thank you and (2) I totally know who you are talking about!