(HELENA BOLOGNA/The Daily Campus)

At some point or another everyone has been a victim of cellphone negligence. Just this week Ke$ha started blaring in the middle of my accounting class. The girl fumbled around and silenced the club mix about 15 seconds in to the song.

Cell phones – while they keep us connected 24/7 and distract us at times, they definitely have their perks. Now, smartphones can save you money.

With so many apps to choose from, it can be daunting to sift through all the noise. Find the right apps and they can be a powerful tool.The RedLaser app allows users to compare prices using a cell phone camera to scan a barcode and search.

Think about the concept of those scanners placed at the end of isles to look up prices on random items. Now put that technology in the hands of anyone with a smartphone. Add in the capability to search the web by an exact bar code. You end up with is the best deal for the item.

If you haven’t filled up the tank or turned on the news in a while, gas prices are up, a lot. One app that helps compare those extra pennies on the gallon is GasBuddy. It uses GPS technology to compare prices from gas stations nearby. You can sort by price, location and fuel type.

It’s no secret our campus is one of the best dressed around. Just take a look up from your phone screen next time you’re on the way to class, or don’t. Instead, browse Gilt, which offers luxury goods up to 70 percent off retail prices. There are new deals published every day at 11 a.m. on the app. The discounts are something to capitalize on. Quality designer items don’t have to be expensive, but don’t lollygag or someone else will snatch up your goods.

All of the apps mentioned are free, but availably varies by device. Fire up your app store and get to saving. Your home screen and wallet will never be the same.