In the days past, buying something meant a trip to the store to browse through the products and then pay using physical cash. There were almost no alternatives. Now you can purchase nearly anything at the click of a button, and the payment mechanism, which makes it possible, is electronic money.
Be it online money transfer, instant money transfer apps, or what has now become old school debit or credit cards, you have a variety of choices available. Now, you can even avail EMI’s when using debit cards.
Yes, purchase anything with the debit card and you are good to go!
If you’re looking for debit card EMI’s, HDFC has a few good deals. Paying with the debit card is easy, and if you keep a few of these tips in mind, you can pay with the comfort of a swipe as well as save some money in the process.
Contents
1. Budget effectively:
One of the most significant ways to save money is to budget effectively. You can save a ton of money by just writing down your spending and tallying it at the end of the month. This is not a debit card tip per se but a general tip to learn to cut corners.
2. Cashbacks:
Many Debit cards offer cashback to customers. Check to see if your card has any cashback offers. Your bank can tell you what options you have for cash back when making purchases.
Many times, different websites offer cashback for particular types of cards. Scouting for offers can do you a world of good and save you cash in the process.
Not to discount physical stores, many stores provide additional benefits along with cash backs to people paying with debit cards from banks which have tied up with them. The main thing you have to keep in mind here is to do your research.
3. Cash In On Points:
Another great thing about debit cards is loyalty points or just points when you purchase something using the card. Most banks nowadays will have a points system where every rupee you spend will accrue points in your account.
It depends on the type of debit card you have as well as the account, but in general, banks do tend to provide loyalty points to their patrons. Once you have accrued enough points, you can then use it to purchase something you need, thereby saving some money.
Sometimes, if you plan in advance and collect enough points, you may be able to take vacations or buy flight tickets without paying anything.
4. EMI Options:
Many stores, as well as online shopping portals, now offer the chance to break up your payment into EMI, thereby relieving you of a load of full down payment. You can choose to purchase your product on loan.
Usually, EMI’s were given only on credit cards, but as the days passed, merchants have started offering the facility of EMI on debit cards as well. You should fully explore this option if you are purchasing a product or service where the price is high, for example, if you are buying a mobile phone or a laptop.
A lot of banks/merchants are offering debit card EMI’s, HDFC is one of the most popular banks.
Many banks are offering low to no interest EMI’s so that the cost of purchasing on loan is almost the same as buying with cash in one go. Again, researching your options and checking to see what options you have is the best way to achieve savings.
5. Monitor Spending And Set Limits:
This is another hack which is general in nature but will serve you well when using your debit card to purchase what you need. Most debit cards now come with spending trackers, in case your card doesn’t have one, have a mental limit to how much you will be spending using the card.
Many times we have a tendency to go overboard when we don’t use physical cash. Setting a budget limit will keep you within limits and will restrict the amount of money you spend on a thing you may or may not need.
If your bank offers analytics software, use that to see where your money is going and what you can cut out. Many times, frivolous purchases can set you back on your monthly budget goals. Analyzing trends can help you to identify areas which need cutbacks.
Conclusion:
Debit cards have revolutionized the world of shopping and payments. Now with just a swipe, you can pay for whatever you want. You don’t have to worry about keeping enough cash with you at all times, or even worry if the bank is closed on the weekends. But you need to follow these handy tips in mind so that you don’t end up splurging more than you want.