Credit Card at 9% p.a.?

IDFC First Bank is launching credit cards where the borrowers will have to pay only 9% p.a. as Annual percentage rate (APR) or the interest rate. This comes as a healthy surprise since we are used to 36%-40% p.a. APR on credit card debt. If you are new to this terminology, 36% p.a. APR means… Continue Reading

Why No-Cost EMI Can’t Be for Longer Tenure?

Loan interest rates have been going down over the past 18 months. It is also evident in the examples that we use for various illustrations in our posts. Earlier, we used 9-10% p.a. for long term loans. Now, we use 7-8% p.a. in the illustrations. If you use Amazon or Flipkart, you would have noticed… Continue Reading

How a Virtual Credit or Debit Card Can Help?

I am a bit paranoid about using credit cards online. Therefore, I prefer to use wallets (such as PayTM) or UPI on new sites or the sites I do not trust much. A problem with this approach is that you cannot use wallets or UPI on international websites. In addition, there are a few minor… Continue Reading

Credit Resolutions for 2021

It is a new year. And A new year brings new resolutions. Let us look at some of the credit resolutions for 2021 you can consider. # 1 Reduce Debt This applies to those who are currently struggling with credit burden. There are only two ways to reduce credit burden. Reduce the quantum of debt (Possible… Continue Reading

Instant Discount or No-Cost EMI: Which Is Better?

If you shop regularly from Flipkart or Amazon website/apps, you must already be aware of the instant discount and No-cost EMI offers. These e-tailers run such promotions regularly to attract buyers. In case of an instant discount, if you use a specific credit card or debit card for payment, you get an upfront discount. Suppose… Continue Reading

ICICI Bank PayLater Account: Combine UPI and Credit

UPI transactions have boomed over the last couple of years and are giving serious competition to credit/debit cards and net banking in online transactions. The only problem is that you cannot make UPI payments on credit. i.e., the money gets debited from your savings bank account. You must have the money in our bank account… Continue Reading

Merchant EMI vs. Credit Card EMI

You plan to buy an expensive phone from Flipkart or Amazon. You do not have the free cash to buy the phone outright or settle the credit card dues in a month’s time.  What can you do? You can buy the phone on EMIs. You have two options. You take the EMI offer available on… Continue Reading

ICICI Bank Insta Flexicash Facility

Old wine in a new bottle. That’s what I would call the new overdraft (OD) facility from ICICI Bank — ICICI Bank Insta FlexiCash facility. In this post, let’s find out about ICICI Insta FlexiCash facility in detail. Additionally, let’s see if there is merit in owning an OD facility. ICICI Bank Insta FlexiCash Overdraft… Continue Reading