Three free apps that could cut your everyday costs

More Australians are looking for ways to cut costs, without cutting back on the things they actually use.

From subscriptions to petrol and everyday spending, household budgets are under pressure. But saving money doesn't always mean cancelling everything.

In many cases, it comes down to using what's already available, just more effectively.

Free apps are increasingly helping Australians cut costs or earn extra income.

Some can wipe out monthly subscriptions entirely. Others can cut the cost of getting around, or help you earn money from things you already own.

One app gives you free access to books, audiobooks and magazines you might otherwise be paying for.

Another can dramatically reduce parking costs, or turn an empty driveway into extra income.

And one navigation app helps drivers save fuel, avoid delays and make smarter decisions on the road.

Here are three apps Australians are using right now to spend less, and in some cases, earn more.

The free app replacing paid subscriptions

Libby: Free on iOS, Google Play

Paying for books, audiobooks or magazines can quietly add up. But with Libby, you may not need to.

Why it matters

• Access thousands of books, audiobooks and magazines for free
• Replace paid subscriptions like Audible or digital magazines
• Save $20-$50 a month

The app connects with "virtually every library in Australia", says Malcolm O'Brien, regional manager of Overdrive Australia, the company behind Libby.

The app allows readers to access e-books, listen to audiobooks, and browse digitised magazines and newspapers.

Some libraries also offer free access to films and documentaries through a separate app called Kanopy.

O'Brien says Libby has reignited a love of reading in its members, who borrow an average of six items a month.

To sign up, simply download the free Libby app, search for your local library and enter your membership number.

If you're not already a library member, some libraries will allow you to join online, or you may have to visit in person to register.

Libby works on Apple, Android, Kobo and most e-readers except Kindle.

The app offers a range of accessibility features, including adjustable fonts, dyslexic font, and text-to-speech.

The app that can cut parking costs or earn you cash

Parkhound: Free on iOS, Google Play

Struggling with the cost of parking, or sitting on an unused driveway? Parkhound could be the answer.

Why it matters

• Cut parking costs, especially in inner-city areas
• Some hosts can earn more than $100 a week in high-demand areas

This app lets you find and rent private parking spaces with a few taps of your phone.

If the thought of paying $50 per week instead of $50 per day for inner-city parking sounds good, download the app and take a look.

You can filter by car size - handy for folks with oversized utes or four-wheel-drives - and the type of parking required, whether it's a secure underground garage, a lock-up shed or even a driveway space on the street.

Better still, the app lets you make cash on the side by renting out unused parking spaces at home.

Prices vary according to demand and the scarcity of parking in the area - if you're close to the city, airport or beach, it could be a gold mine.

The navigation app that can save fuel and time

Waze: Free on iOS, Google Play

With petrol prices still biting, spending less time in traffic can mean real savings. Enter the Waze app.

Why it matters

• Save fuel by avoiding traffic and stop-start driving
• Find faster routes in real time, even mid-journey

It gives you turn-by-turn voice navigation guidance and a live traffic map, but its real value comes in the form of road alerts.

You can receive notifications of moving or stationary police cars, mobile speed cameras, traffic jams, road closures and accidents, so you can adjust your trip accordingly.

You can also be notified of hazards on or near the road, helping you avoid a costly repair bill.

And the free app comes with a digital speedo which will sound an alert when you exceed the speed limit.

The downside? Waze data is crowd-sourced, meaning it relies on other motorists to notify you of traffic congestion, police, speed cameras and accident scenes.

This means the app is likely to be more useful driving around Woollahra than Wongarbon.

Don't forget that using the app while driving is prohibited, so make sure you download the app and plan your trip before hitting the road.

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