What’s the Deal: Make That Cell Phone Save You Money (For Once)

We’re sorry, but sometimes we resent the reality that, like, ev-uh-ry second, our cell phones are costing us money. It’s high time they did something to save us a buck. On that front, a new weapon we’re wielding this week turns our cellies into deal-hunters, but stops short of scaring us with the kind of spammy grossness we abhor.

Mobile Spinach, a serviced launched in March by Artificial Flavor founder John Vitti and others, is impressing us with the much-more-than-decent deals good at local shops, restaurants, spas, hotels and other Bay Area businesses it's been sending to registered users lately. Every deal is exclusive to Mobile Spinach, so you won’t find it offered anywhere else. We were trying the service out this week and found sweet savings from International Orange (50 percent off any spa service Monday through Friday), Tobi (25 percent off), Azalea ($50 gift cards when you send $250), Villain’s Vault, My Roommate’s Closet, Simply Chic and more.

Users choose what deals they want to receive and how often they want to receive them from a well-designed list of options that can easily be switched up whenever your shopper’s heart desires.

“It’s not spam, members control everything,” Vitti assures us.

When a deal arrives, show the message to the merchant to score the savings.

More deals on our radar this week:

doe: Children’s clothing is 25 percent off through July 31. If you’re buying online, mention the 25 percent discount in the comments section at checkout. 

Behind the Post Office: This Upper Haight mainstay is offering 30 percent off summer merch and Orla Kiely wallets and bags this weekend.

Jacks on Chestnut: We hear men’s apparel is 50 to 75 percent off at this Marina go-to for coveted cool dude labels.