16 money-saving apps for 2016

It's the beginning of a brand new year and you've probably created a list of resolutions, such as exercising more, eating out less and being a little thriftier with your money. Committing to even the smallest life changes can be a challenge, but there are a number of apps that save you money and time to make these changes less difficult.

These mobile apps can make cutting costs easier than you ever imagined and help you become more financially secure in 2016.

1. Expensify

Cost: Free

If you've ever created an expense report, you know how time consuming this process is. Expensify streamlines this activity, making it easier than ever to compile your expenses, so you can get reimbursed as quickly as possible. The app features a SmartScan button, so all you have to do is take a picture of your receipt and all of the details are automatically added to your report. Expensify allows you to add expense details on-the-go, attach expenses to a specific time period, create mileage expenses and allocate costs to specific trips.

2. HotelTonight

Cost: Free

There's no need to pay full price for a hotel room when you can get a great deal using the HotelTonight app. Hotels put their unsold rooms for tonight, tomorrow and next week in the app, allowing you to save big by booking last minute. HotelTonight carefully screens each hotel — and it's the highest-ranked hotel booking app — so you can be confident that you'll be staying somewhere that meets your standards.

3. Airbnb

Cost: Free

Airbnb is one of the most helpful money-saving apps for budget-friendly travel, as it allows you to cut costs on accommodations. People rent out rooms in their home or the entire space for less than what you would pay for a hotel room — and often offering more benefits, such as the use of a kitchen. You can find Airbnbs in more than 34,000 cities in 190 countries.

4. GasBuddy

Cost: Free

It's always frustrating to fill up your tank and quickly realize prices were cheaper at a gas station down the road. GasBuddy makes this problem a thing of the past by allowing you to find the cheapest gas near you or search for the lowest prices in a specific location. Plus, the app gives you the opportunity to win $100 in free gas everyday by participating in challenges, such as reporting low gas prices found in your local area.

5. 7 Minute Workout

Cost: Free

There's no need to spend time driving to the gym and money on a pricey gym membership, when you can make the 7 Minute Workout app your trainer instead. This Johnson & Johnson app offers 72 quick and easy exercises and 22 additional workouts you can do anytime, anywhere. The app features Smart Workout, which measures your motivation and fitness levels to recommend the best programs for you. The app also has a feature that allows you to track your progress and share results with friends.

6. Mint

Cost: Free

Mint is a money management app that gathers all your financial data in one place. It can be used to monitor your spending patterns, pay bills, keep track of your investments and find ways to help you save money. You can even set reminders to pay bills, so you're never penalized with another late fee again. If you're leery about inputting your personal financial information into an app, you can feel confident because Mint uses the same encryption and security as financial institutions.

7. Venmo

Cost: Free

If you have trouble getting people to pay up when they owe you money, Venmo could make a huge impact on your bank account. Simply link your bank account or debit card to the app and instantly send and receive money from your smartphone. This means you can stop picking up the entire tab for dinner or accepting IOUs for things like concert tickets. Venmo can be used by anyone who has a U.S. phone number or email and anyone can claim a payment — even those without the app — after creating a free account.

8. ShopKick

Cost: Free

Save money while shopping at your favorite stores — such as Macy's, Best Buy and Target — with ShopKick. The app shows you sales at the stores before you shop and gives you "kicks" or points for visiting the store, scanning items and making purchases. When you collect enough "kicks," you can redeem them for gift cards at major retailers, including Starbucks and Sephora.

9. Groupon

Cost: Free

The Groupon mobile app allows you to save 50 to 70 percent at local merchants. Get daily deals delivered straight to your phone and use the app to search for instant discounts at a variety of places, including restaurants, stores and attractions. Deals can easily be redeemed straight from your phone, so you don't have to worry about remembering to bring a paper coupon along.

10. RetailMeNot

Cost: Free

The RetailMeNot app makes clipping coupons — and remembering to bring them on your shopping trip — a thing of the past. Gain access to thousands of coupons at the country's largest retailers and bookmark those you want to save for later. When you're ready to use the deal, pull it up on your smartphone for the cashier to scan. That's how easy it is to save money with RetailMeNot.

11. BestParking

Cost: Free

If you think sky-high parking rates are unavoidable, prepare to be amazed by the BestParking app. Enjoy the ability to compare prices on the hourly, daily, weekly and monthly rates at more than 12,000 parking facilities throughout the country, so you're sure to always get the best deal. Many of the largest parking operators in the U.S. have even partnered with the app to offer coupons, guaranteed rates, reservations, monthly specials and exclusive offers.

12. Apps Gone Free

Cost: Free

Constantly paying money to download apps can really add up over time. But if you get the Apps Gone Free app you can enjoy complimentary access to apps you would normally have to pay to use on any iOS device. Each day the app provides a new list of ad-free apps with at least a three-star rating that normally cost money, but that the developers are offering for free for a limited time.

13. Food Network In the Kitchen

Cost: Free

If you're spending too much money eating out, download the Food Network In the Kitchen app to enjoy making restaurant-quality food at home. The app contains thousands of recipes from Food Network chefs, such as Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri and Giada De Laurentiis. You can save your favorite recipes, create a shopping list and even watch videos to help you create a flawless meal and save money by not dining out.

14. Cellfire

Cost: Free

Cellfire helps you find money-saving deals at supermarkets, restaurants and other retailers nationwide. Sync your loyalty cards to the app and find offers for all your favorite stores on one easy-to-use interface, instead of having to visit each retailer's website. You can also find and save mobile coupons to have the cashier scan at checkout.

15. ShopSavvy

Cost: Free

It's always frustrating to purchase an item and immediately find it cheaper at another store. In addition to offering daily and weekly deals from major retailers, the ShopSavvy app lets you scan product barcodes and instantly finds the lowest price online or in your local area. Plus, it also offers product reviews, so you can shop with confidence.

16. Hopper

Cost: Free

If you're planning to buy airplane tickets, don't make a purchase without consulting Hopper. The app uses data-driven research to help you save up to 40 percent on flights, by determining the best times to go on your trip and purchase your tickets. You'll receive a notification when prices drop and before they're about to rise, so you never pay more than necessary for your ticket.

Incorporating a few of these mobile apps into your daily routine can have a profound impact on your budget. After using these money-saving apps for a while, you'll probably wonder why it took you so long to download them.

From GoBankingRates.com: 16 money-saving apps for 2016