The number of smartphone users has risen over the years and almost all can say that it has made their life effortless. What's more, smartphone apps can help you earn more.

Here are ways on how to maximize your smartphone and make money out of it:

1. Smartphones can connect you to your bank and help you handle your money anywhere at any time.

In a report by BT.com, all building societies and major banks including Lloyds Bank, HSBC, Santander, RBS, Halifax, NatWest, TSB, Nationwide and Barclays have a smartphone app that permits you to check transactions, make payments, oversee standing orders and direct debits and transfer money securely and quickly.

This fast access to information and bank transactions grants you better control over your assets. You can pay bills or merchants quickly monitor expenses and transfer money to your personal savings and most importantly, receive alerts for traces of identity-theft.

The Times of India revealed that your smartphone can also serve as your wallet. Thus, you can hav cashless transaction with retailers. There are four types of mobile wallets: open, closed, semi-open and semi-closed.

Furthermore, Apple has recently partnered with Amsterdam-based mobile phone company VimpelCom's domestic unit, Beeline, which allows users in Russia to charge their music, games, books and other apps to their monthly bill by keying in their phone number, as per CNBC.

A user who decides to pay by smartphone can see the following: "Mobile phone billing is available in Russia for Beeline mobile customers. A verification will be sent to you."

Now, isn't that easy and convenient?

2. Smartphone apps can help you keep track of your finances.

One popular smartphone app that can help you get a hold of where all your money goes is called Toshl. The free app which can be downloaded from Apple, Windows Phone, Android and Symbian handsets allows you to create a budget, be updated on bills payment and assist you in achieving saving goals.

3. Smartphone apps grant you access to international calls.

Communication, whether for personal enrichment or business, is essential. Aside from being able to make a call locally, your smartphone can help you reach out to friends, family and business associates all over the world without any extra costs.

An example would be WhatsApp Messenger, freely available for Blackberry OS, iOS, Symbian, Windows Phone and Android. This smartphone app allows you to send messages, unlimited images, create group chats and make calls to any location as long as you have access to an internet connection provided the other person has the same app.

Probably one of the most popular and widely used smartphone apps to make international calls for free is Skype. With the advent of online jobs, business interviews and conferences can be done via Skype.

4. Your smartphone can provide you with the best deals in town.

By downloading the free smartphone app, Vouchercodes.co.uk available for Android and Apple devices, it helps you locate where to get savings while you are out and about from codes for restaurants, shops and entertainment for use online and in-store.

The HotUKDeals app available for Android, Windows and Apple devices enables you to get your hands on all the voucher codes, latest deals, freebies, competitions and price glitches by HotUKDeals members.

5. Smartphone apps can help mobile users get freebies.

By using the free CheckoutSmartapp available for Android and Apple users, doing supermarket shopping gets more rewards. When you take a snap of the picture of the grocery receipt you can get cashback on certain items.

Make the most out of your smartphone and check out the apps which can help you save and make more money.