Feed Your Family for Less: Top Loyalty Apps for Fast Food

Sure, we would all love to provide fresh, nutritious, home-cooked meals to our families every day of the week, but let's be real. Some days you're running straight from your job, to school pick-up, to chauffeuring between dance, karate, piano, and basketball. When you're parenting in the fast lane, sometimes it calls for fast food. And when it does, it's always a good idea to save some money while you're at it. So ditch the guilt, and check out this round up of the best food reward mobile apps to save money and get your hungry kids fed.

McDonald's App - We're Lovin' It

First up, download the McDonald's mobile app. They offer different deals every week, and sometimes even every day. The deals vary but you can always count on getting a pretty good discount on some of their most popular items. Last week, we were able to get 20 piece chicken McNuggets with two large fries for less than $8, which in NYC is practically unheard of. And let me tell you, those nuggets are a lifesaver when you've got a hungry and exhausted child in the backseat.

And here's another tip for all you busy parents out there. Did you know that you can actually pre-order your McDonald's meal using the app? Just punch in your order ahead of time, and the food won't be prepped until you arrive at your favorite McDonald's. This means that you'll be getting your food fresh and hot, without any of those cold, soggy french fries that nobody likes.

And the best part? At most locations, you can pick it up right from the drive-thru or curbside pick-up without having to unbuckle those car seat harnesses and deal with the whole production of getting kids safely buckled back in. Seconds and minutes matter when you've got a car full of hungry and impatient kids.

Eat Mor Chikin 4 Less

Next up, there's the Chick-fil-A app. Now, I know some of you might not have a Chick-fil-A nearby, but if you do, you've got to get this app. Not only do they offer free items every month, but you can also skip the line by ordering and paying ahead of time. Like many of these other programs, they reward frequent visitors, so the more often you visit, the more points each dollar spent is worth at the restaurant.

Subway Eat Free

Let's not forget the Subway app. With this app, you can earn rewards for every purchase, and you can also order and pay ahead of time. Bonus for introverts: you can customize your sandwich just the way you like it from inside the app, without having to worry about any misunderstandings with the person behind the counter. More eating, less socializing.

America Saves on Dunkin'

While you're at it, don't forget to download the Dunkin Donuts app as well. My 5-year-old daughter loves her egg and cheese wake up wraps, and we stack up points with the DD app every time we stop by. Like the McDonald's app, you can order ahead and skip the line of cranky morning commuters who haven't had their caffeine fix yet. After a couple of weeks, we've always got enough points for this tired momma to get a mega-sized iced macchiato for free. And who doesn't love free coffee?

Saving $$$ at Starbucks

Next, we've got the Starbucks app. We all know a Starbucks habit can quickly get expensive, but with the app, you can earn points for every purchase, which you can then redeem for free drinks and food items. Never miss out on your free birthday coffee again. Plus, you can order and pay ahead of time, so you can just grab your drink and go.

So there you have it, folks. These are just a few of my favorite loyalty apps that will help you save some money and avoid those hangry meltdowns from your kids. Download them, use them, and enjoy your savings. And who knows, maybe you'll even have enough cash left over to treat yourself to a well-deserved mommy (or daddy) treat.

What are some of your favorite loyalty apps? Let us know in the comments!