Want to save on gas and hotels this holiday season? You might want to try these apps

Here’s the thing about the holidays: If you could save some cash, wouldn’t you?

Whether you’re traveling over the winter break or planning a “staycation,” there are several apps that can help keep your hard-earned cash in your pocket.

After all, you probably racked up a couple of credit cards to buy gifts for family and friends, so the last thing you want is to spend more, am I right?

All you need is your trusty smartphone and tablet, and a few good apps, to provide a bit of a financial reprieve this time of year.

Not including shopping apps – as we’ve covered those here and here – be sure to load up your device with these following five freebies.

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1. Save on hotels (after you book)

Get a better price on your hotel – after you’ve booked it. This is the simple premise behind Pruvo.

Here’s how it works: Reserve your hotel room however you like – such as Hotels.com, Expedia or Trivago – and then forward to confirmation email to save@pruvo.net. If the hotel drops the rate on the room before your stay, which happens more often than not, you’ll be notified on your phone about how much you’ll save by canceling the original reservation and rebooking at the lower rate.

(And don’t worry, the app walks you through the entire process.)

The only catch is you need to have the ability to cancel your room to begin with.

2. Borrow e-books, audiobooks

Of course, you’re aware you can buy e-books and audiobooks for your smartphone or tablet, but did you know you can also borrow them from your local library? Yes, for free. You don’t need to drive to the library, nor are there late fees to worry about.

So long as you have your library card and the Libby app installed on your device, there are tens of thousands of supported libraries worldwide. On the day it expires, it won’t be accessible on your device – unless you extend the loan period.

And no, it’s not just old classics available, but many of the newer New York Times bestsellers, too. Libby also boasts an impressive built-in e-book reader, graphic novel viewer and audiobook player.

On a related note, also the Internet Archive (archive.org), a nonprofit resource with millions of free books, movies, music, old radio plays and more.

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3. Trade in your old gadgets

Perhaps you treated yourself to a new smartphone this season or simply want to declutter ahead of 2020.

Whatever the reason, you can get rid of your old tech and earn some cash in the process.

With Gazelle.com, answer a few questions about your “previously enjoyed” device, ship it for free and get money fast. And yes, if you decide to buy something from Gazelle, all products are certified pre-owned, which means they are “like new,” says Gazelle, at a fraction of the cost of retail.

Those who want cash even faster can use Gazelle’s ecoATM app, which shows you where the closest ecoATM kiosks are. It’s a nationwide network of over 4,000 automated kiosks, found in many malls, supermarkets, department stores and other retail spaces. Put in your device, answer some questions on the touchscreen, and the machine will provide instant cash right then and there.

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4. Save money on calls, texts

With the free TextNow app for iOS and Android, not only can you make free phone calls and texts, but you also get your own incoming number at no charge.

Make unlimited calls to any 10-digit number in the U.S. and Canada, even on an iPad (or other tablet) or iPod touch, over Wi-Fi. The app will first ask what city you’d like your number to be from, such as Chicago, and will find a local area code for you to use. Some people like having a second number on their existing smartphone – like a “burner phone” – to use for things like online dating, selling items over online classifieds and other instances where you might not want to give our your real phone number.

And if you want to call around the world, TextNow offers low-cost international rates, or you can watch ads or install other apps to earn credits. It’s free because the app has some ads, but there’s an optional in-app purchase ($2.99) to remove them.

5. Save on gas

If you’re planning a road trip this holiday season, GasBuddy helps sniff out deals on gasoline and diesel in the U.S. and Canada.

Using your phone’s GPS, the app shows you which nearby stations have the lowest prices – for regular, midgrade and premium fuel – and provides maps if you don’t know the area.

View gas stations by distance, price, company or amenities (like car washes, restaurants and washrooms).

It’s optional, but paying with a free GasBuddy card saves 5 cents per gallon on every fill-up, nationwide, plus you’ll get access to special offers and access to giveaway to win free gas.

According to the company, GasBuddy has saved users nearly $3 billion in fuel over the past 15 years.

Follow Marc on Twitter: @marc_saltzman. Email him or subscribe to his Tech It Out podcast at www.marcsaltzman.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Book a hotel room and get great deals on gas with these five apps