Shopping apps to save money on back to school, groceries, Christmas and year-round

One of the biggest parental worries in fall is the cost of back to school supplies, school clothes, etc. And that's a legit fear: the average parent spent $650 per student on back to school shopping in 2014. Here are shopping apps to save money on back to school shopping. You can earn rewards on all your spending: groceries, clothing, school supplies, Christmas, etc., with these shopping apps. Make your money multitask!

Swagbucks is the best online rewards program ever. Download the app and start earning points doing things you already do online anyway. Why shop, play games, search, read articles and watch videos for free when you can get paid to?

Bing Rewards (or Microsoft Rewards) is another good search and earn app. Use points for gift cards to Amazon, Walmart, Target, Paypal or other places. Amazon gift cards snagged me a $129 Columbia backpack for $21 and free shipping.

Want to earn money back on stuff you already buy? Try Ibotta or Checkout 51. Save money on school lunch supplies, snack foods, groceries, school supplies, etc. Get apps at the Apple Store for iPhone or Google Play for Android. My oldest saves bank with stacking coupons, plus rewards!

Need an app to comparison shop for you? Try Walmart Savings Catcher. Get money back if Savings Catcher finds a cheaper deal on Walmart purchases elsewhere.

Get online coupon codes and printable coupons from Retail Me Not. Use this app to get coupon codes for restaurants, clothing stores, electronics, shoes, tools--anything you need! Don't shop before you check here! Retail Me Not saved $25 off the purchase of $80 Sperry school shoes.

Shopkick is the funnest (that's a word) shopping experience ever! Install the app on iPhone or Android. Earn points just for walking into stores! Scan product barcodes to earn more. Buy products and earn even more!

Customer loyalty card apps and credit card rewards programs. Most big box stores have some kind of store loyalty card. Target RedCard gets 5% back on purchases and Target Cartwheel offers perks and rewards.

Sears Shop Your Way earns cashback on purchases. Meijer mPerks saves by giving rewards and loading coupons. Discover offers high rewards on categories: September rewards are on back to school shopping. Do the math and pay with the card that gives you the highest cashback on specific purchases.