If you think healthy eating has to be expensive, try these apps on for size.

You may be a pro-coupon clipper, a sale-watcher and a penny saver. But for the rest of us, it can be frustrating to constantly clip coupons. The moment we discover we've forgotten them at home can make us throw in the scissors for good. Luckily, there is a device we always carry with us. If you are among the growing number of Americans who have a smart phone you won't want to miss these great new ways to save money on foods you already are buying at the grocery store. Just download these money saving apps to use next time you shop for groceries.

There are ways to actually make money right from your smart phone that you can use to buy healthy groceries, or whatever you please. You don't have to spend the money you earn on groceries, either.

Ibotta

Several apps will provide "cash back" once you take a photo of your receipt after purchasing the item. One such app is Ibotta. Just open the app, select the store that you're interested in and find all the items listed along with the amount of cash back they are offering.

For example, at times you can receive a rebate of 25 cents for bananas, and $1.50 back on certain brands of cereal. Just snap a photo of your receipt, and the app tracks your total cash back. Once you have received $20 or more back, you can "cash out" and either send that money to your PayPal account, or trade it in for a gift card. Small, one-question marketing surveys and occasional videos are the only participation the user must perform to receive the cash back, with most apps you use when shopping for groceries will require from its users.

Another great feature about this app showcases your social side with the more friends you invite, the more cash back you can earn. For each friend that signs up, you can pocket $5. Another way to make money on this app is by completing bonuses if you have purchased a certain amount of products for the month.

Our staff has used Ibotta for about six months, and earned $105. If you combine these offers with other digital coupons, you can potentially save more on the same items, too. Three other very similar apps are Checkout 51, Shrink and MobiSave. These apps uses the same concept- look at what items they offer cash back for, scan your receipt and once you reach $20, they will refund you with a check or credit your PayPal account.

Shopkick

Another money saving app to use the next time you shop for groceries is Shopkick. This app allows users to earn points for visiting certain stores, scanning items, and if connected to a credit card account, users will get points with every grocery purchase at certain stores using that card. Once you have a certain amount of points, you can trade in for a gift cards from major chain stores such as Starbucks, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Yankee Candle and more.

Publix

Several stores also offer money saving features on their apps. At Publix, download their app to virtually clip coupons, plan your grocery list and see what is on sale for the week. It couldn't be easier to redeem your coupons. At the checkout, simply enter the phone number, and the coupons are automatically applied, so you don't even need a money saving app at this stage of grocery shopping.

Cartwheel

Target stores have a similar app called Cartwheel, in which they list their sale items. After selecting the item you want to have discounted and at checkout, you'll pull up a barcode on the app. The cashier will scan the barcode and you will automatically be provided the discount.

Savings Catcher

Walmart also has a feature in their app that can also save you a lot of money over time called Savings Catcher. They will compare the price you spent on your visit to prices offered at similar stores. If they find that there was a lower price offered somewhere else, you will be refunded the difference in the form of a Walmart gift card.

Saving money using these apps in your spare time can be fun and rewarding. By participating with and for these companies, you will become a smarter shopper and reward the companies willing to offer these incentives. Happy shopping everyone!