People are relying on their cell phones more and more these days. In addition to phone calls, text messages, and emailing, cell phones can now do everything from games, maps and navigation, streaming movies, and surfing the Internet. Why not use it for couponing and price checking, as well? Here's a quick list of some of the most popular apps available for Android and iPhone in the world of shopping and saving.

1. Barcode Scanner – free for Android This app allows users to scan UPCs and QR codes and then use Google's product search to check prices, user reviews, and more. It's billed as a very straightforward app that doesn't feature bells and whistles, but gets the job done.

2. Consumer Reports Mobile Shopper 2012 - $4.99, available for iPhone and Android While this app won't help you find good deals and cheap prices, per se, it will, ideally, help you avoid wasting money. The $4.99 price tag gives shoppers one year of access to the Consumer Reports site. While out shopping, scan an item's barcode to instantly check ratings, reviews, and buying advice for thousands of products.

3. Google Shopper – free for iPhone and Android This comprehensive app allows you to scan the barcode of virtually any product, but you can also use it to scan the covers of books, CDs, DVDs, and video games using your phone's camera. For hands-free searching, you can say the name of the product using the Google voice search option. After the item has been located within the app, you can search for sellers online, check ratings and reviews. The app also has an option to keep a list of scanned products to create a shopping list.

4. Coupon Sherpa – free for Android and Apple devices

This free app accesses thousands of coupons on a huge variety of products, which can then be scanned directly from your phone. Coupons and discounts can also be added to your store loyalty cards if you add the numbers to your account on the Sherpa site. The app will also utilize your phone's GPS to help you locate the nearest store that stocks a particular item. Coupon Sherpa also has a web site that users can access from their computers to print coupons directly.

5. Shopper - $.99 for iPhone This 99 cent app is one of the most popular shopping apps in the iTunes store. Use it to make shopping lists, check prices, and find coupons. Buyer beware, though, some users are complaining that the newest version of this one is getting clogged too heavily with ads. You be the judge, and please feel free to report back!