The Hidden Money in Your Apps

Why It’s Important to Check Regularly

Losing a job can be an incredibly stressful experience, but it can also serve as a reminder of the importance of keeping track of every dollar you have—whether it’s in your bank account or hidden away in various apps. A recent discovery I made while scrolling through my phone highlights the often-overlooked value of checking your app accounts. After losing my job, I decided to take a moment to review all the apps I use on a daily basis. To my surprise, I found over $600 in various accounts. Here’s what I discovered, and why you should make it a habit to check your apps regularly.

1. Acorns: $600+ in Spare Change

One of the first apps I checked was Acorns, a platform that automatically rounds up your transactions to the nearest dollar and invests the difference. It may seem like small change, but over time, those rounded-up amounts add up. I had over $600 sitting there, unclaimed. This reminder of how the “spare change” can accumulate into a solid investment is a powerful incentive to use apps like Acorns more strategically. If you’re not already using a round-up app, consider starting—it’s an easy way to save and invest without even thinking about it. Click here to check it out.

2. Dunkin’ Donuts: $21 in Store Credit

Next, I checked my Dunkin’ Donuts app, which I use to grab coffee during my morning routine. To my surprise, I had $21 in store credit that I hadn’t realized was sitting unused. While it may not seem like a huge amount, it’s a great reminder of how loyalty apps often accumulate credits without you noticing. If you regularly shop at a particular store or coffee shop, make sure to check your app balances—it might be more than you think.

3. FanDuel: $120 in My Sports Betting Account

As I continued scrolling, I remembered that I had placed a few bets on FanDuel over the past year. To my surprise, I found $120 just sitting there waiting to be used. Sports betting apps often encourage you to deposit funds and place bets, but those winnings or leftover balances can easily be forgotten. If you have any accounts with online betting services, it’s worth checking them to make sure you’re not missing out on unused funds. While much of this money could be spent on essentials like food or groceries, I reserved the FanDuel money as part of my entertainment spending. I didn’t go out much even before I lost my job, but now that I’m not going out as much, I saved this for my entertainment budget. I would bet $5 on a game to keep me entertained and ultimately would lose one, win one, or win two and lose two, so my balance stayed around the same—but I enjoyed the experience.

4. DoorDash: $20 for Food Delivery

I checked my DoorDash account next, where I had a $20 balance. While it’s not uncommon to forget about a store credit or gift card after a busy day, this balance could cover a meal or two if I’m ever in need of a quick dinner. With so many people turning to food delivery apps for convenience, it’s easy to forget about credits or discounts you’ve accumulated over time. Make it a habit to check these accounts regularly to maximize your benefits.

5. Uber/UberEats: $44.73 Waiting to Be Used

Lastly, I checked my Uber and UberEats accounts, where I had $44.73 in credits. Whether it’s from promotions or past rides and meals, these credits can easily go unnoticed until you need them. Similar to DoorDash, Uber has various ways to accumulate credit, and it can be a welcome surprise when you realize you have funds waiting to be used.

6. Audible: 10 Unused Credits

I also took a moment to check my Audible account, where I found 10 unused credits. For audiobook lovers, this can be a hidden treasure trove. Whether you’re stocking up on books for your commute or future listening sessions, those unused credits could be used for some great listens. It’s easy to forget about them, so checking your Audible balance can be an unexpected benefit. Since I enjoy audiobooks, especially when driving or winding down before bed, having 10 Audible credits meant I could purchase more books without it costing me anything at the moment.

7. Shopify: $3.78 in Credit

Finally, I checked my Shopify account, where I had a modest $3.78 sitting unused. While it’s not a large sum, it’s still money that could be put toward a future purchase, subscription, or service. Shopify, like many platforms, accumulates credits or offers, so it’s worth revisiting to see if you have any funds waiting.

8. Venmo: $65 Waiting for You

While browsing further, I also discovered $65 in my Venmo account. It’s easy to forget about funds sitting in Venmo, especially if you use it for personal transactions or occasional payments. This balance could come in handy for future purchases or even a small financial cushion during tight times. It’s important to check apps like Venmo to ensure that any credits or transfers are accounted for and used.

9. PayPal: $30 Available

Lastly, I found $30 sitting unused in my PayPal account. Much like Venmo, PayPal is a popular platform for transferring money or making purchases, and it can sometimes accumulate small amounts from past transactions. Checking your PayPal balance is a great way to ensure you’re not leaving any funds on the table—especially if you need them for future online purchases.

Why You Should Regularly Check Your Apps

From my experience, it’s clear that a quick check of your phone’s apps can reveal more money than you might expect. Whether it’s savings in Acorns, credits in your favorite store or food delivery app, unused funds in betting and rideshare apps, or leftover credits in Audible, Shopify, Venmo, and PayPal, regularly reviewing your accounts ensures you’re not leaving money on the table. Plus, it can help you identify potential unused subscriptions or memberships that are eating into your budget.

It only takes a few minutes, but those few minutes could uncover a surprising amount of money. So, the next time you have a moment, scroll through your apps and see what you might have forgotten about. You never know what you might find.

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