5 things to consider before applying for an education loan

Getting a higher education is a privilege. Even with the increasing costs of education, both in India and abroad, a significant number of students opt in for higher education. Taking a student education loan is one of the ways to meet the education costs.

A large number of lenders provide student education loans, for both education in India and abroad. Most of these loans provide loans for tuition and some also provide for living expenses.

5 things to consider before applying for a student education loan are:

1.Total cost of education:
By total cost of education, it is not only the cost of tuition, but living costs such as accommodation, food, local transport, that needs to be considered. If you take a student education loan only for the amount of tuition, you will have to pay living expenses and food expenses out of your own pocket. Along with this, another important point to consider is whether the lender will lend for the course you would like to study. Most lenders cover a wide variety of courses, but still, before you apply for the loan, it is better to check it once.

2. Rate of Interest and Loan sanctioned on education loan:
One of the most important considerations for an education loan is the education loan interest. The standard education loan interest varies between 8.5% to 15%. Different lenders have different rates. It is best to take one with a reasonable interest rate.

Not all banks give out loans for the entire tuition cost or cost of education. While finding a lender, it is important to check the loan amount they usually disburse for a student education loan. That way, if one lender provides a loan for partial amount, it means you need to raise the balance funds through a second education loan.

3. Repayment period:
Most education loans have a concept of moratorium, which means a certain amount of time before which repayment starts. For example, if you avail a student education loan and the moratorium is 36 months, it means repayments will not start for 36 months after the loan is disbursed.

4. Scholarships and other benefits from the University:
Most foreign Universities have provisions for scholarships. There are a lot of such scholarship programs which meet a part or full tuition cost. While applying for a student education loan, it is important to see if you qualify for a scholarship.

5. Government schemes and loans:
The Central Government provides a subsidy scheme where students who are from poorer backgrounds get subsidy on education loan interest. This scheme is only open for student whose parents have a gross income of less than Rs. 4.5 lakhs.

5 reasons to opt for apps for booking movie tickets

With the advent of online shopping, the movie ticket shop has also gone online. With various movie tickets booking apps, it has become very simple to book movie tickets online. There are a number of apps that provide booking facility for movie tickets. Most payment apps have the facility to book tickets.

But why should one opt for a movie tickets booking app? There are a few reasons why a movie tickets booking app trumps going to the theatre to book tickets.

Here are 5 reasons to opt for apps for booking movie tickets:

1. Convenient:
Booking a movie ticket online is very convenient. It is a matter of a few clicks and a ticket can be booked. It is not necessary to physically visit the theatre and get a ticket. It can be done through the app. It saves effort and time. It can even be done on the way to the theatre, thus ensuring confirmed tickets. Most apps also have the facility to book tickets and pay at the theatre.

2. Provides information about all movie theatres at once:
The best reason for using a movie tickets booking app is that it provides all information about theatres and shows at once. There is no need to visit the theatres or find incomplete or incorrect information in newspapers. A movie tickets booking app provides information all at once, which makes it easy to take a decision on the movie.

3. Cashback and other offers:
Different apps frequently run offers on movie tickets. Sometimes apps combine with credit and debit cards to provide special discounts. There may be cash backs, or offers such as buy one ticket get another free. These are app specific and are given to attract people to booking movie tickets online. But as a user, making use of these offers can reduce the overall cost of tickets.

4. Possible to select seats:
One of the drawbacks of going to the theatre is not having the liberty to select seats. It is possible to view seats per screen per show on an online movie ticket booking app.  Depending on the show and the availability, it is possible to select seats. Most apps allow for booking multiple tickets in each transaction.

5. Wide range of movies:
Newspapers and other media display information only about a select few movies, whereas there are a whole range of movies that release every week. Using a movie tickets booking app, you can see movies from all languages, which makes it easier to take a decision. Having movies from different languages on one platform ensures every movie gets an equal chance of being booked, which is beneficial for the movie too.

5 best money transfer apps

Using money transfer apps has become second nature for mobile users. With the increase in digital connectivity and online transactions, using a mobile money transfer app to make payments and transfer money to people is becoming widely accepted. There are a number of apps that have popped up to help people transfer money. But not all apps are created equal. Some mobile money transfer apps are much ahead when it comes to ease of use, safety, and consumer experience. 

These are the 5 best money transfer apps:

1. BHIM UPI:
The Unified Payments Interface or UPI created ripples in the money transfer apps environment because of the ease and convenience. Sharing private bank account details is no more a necessity, because with UPI, it is possible to transfer money to anyone with a UPI ID. Each transaction is validated with a security code that the user decides. Several private and public sector banks have their own apps tied up with UPI to allow seamless transfer of money from one account to the other. BHIM is one of the best UPI apps because of its simple interface, bill payment and money transfer options.

2. HDFC’s PayZapp:
This is one of the best mobile money transfer apps offered by a bank. It allows bill payments to multiple vendors, both online and offline. It is possible to pay vendors by scanning a QR code. The app allows for mobile money transfer using just the mobile number. This makes it very easy to send money. The app has an inbuilt feature of online bill payments such as DTH, mobile recharge etc. It is possible to shop online, order food and groceries through the app as well.

3. PayTM:
PayTM is the biggest mobile wallet player in India. From transferring payments to other wallets to converting itself into a while online payment ecosystem, PayTM has come a long way. It is possible to shop on PayTM, pay bills, order food, book travel tickets. Payments are possible through a mobile number or via scanning the QR code.

4. PhonePe:
PhonePe is one of the biggest UPI apps in the country. It has integrated itself with many online vendors making it simple to process payments through this platform. You can link multiple bank accounts on PhonePe which makes it easier to send and receive multiple payments. The interface is one of the friendliest among mobile money transfer apps.

5. Mobikwik:
Mobikwik has a strong and clean interface. It is the second largest wallet player in India. Transferring money from one person to another is possible in just a few steps, which make it one of the easiest money transfer apps in India. It has merchant integrations too.

5 best international money transfer apps

With an increase in the number of students travelling abroad, there has been a steady increase in the foreign exchange remitted over the years. Earlier, foreign exchange used to be remitted via cheques and demand drafts. With the advent of internet and mobile banking, cheques and drafts have been rendered obsolete.

There are a number of international money transfer apps which make it very convenient to transfer foreign exchange at a nominal cost. This makes it possible to send money in a matter of a few clicks.

The 5 best international money transfer apps are:

1. PayPal:
PayPal is a very convenient way to make international payments using your credit or debit card. It is also a popular way to receive foreign payments which are directly transferred to the customer’s bank account. PayPal is extremely simple to use. The charges for using PayPal for sending money are inbuilt in the exchange rate it charges. The credit or debit card company may charge additional charges. To make a payment, only the email ID of the receiver is needed. PayPal is one of the best money transfer apps. 

2. State Bank of India App:
The country’s largest banker offers international money transfers to 11 countries via Internet Banking. The beneficiary has to be added and after a cool time of 30 minutes, a transfer can be made. The transfers follow FEMA guidelines. SBI App offers the same facility to its customers. SBI also allows seamless inward remittances to be received in the account. SBI charges 0.125% subject to a minimum of Rs. 125 for individuals.

3. HDFC Mobile Banking App:
HDFC Bank’s mobile banking application is one of the best international money transfer apps. To make a foreign remittance, one just has to add a beneficiary and transfer money via the NEFT portal. There is a separate section for ‘foreign outward remittance’. This app allows 2 transactions every day.  HDFC Bank charges Rs. 500 for a transfer up to $1,000 and a charge of Rs. 1,000 for a transfer above $1,000

4. ICICI Bank’s Money2World App:
ICICI Bank’s Money2World app is a money transfer app for making foreign outward remittances. Transferring funds through this app is extremely simple. The app charges a flat fee of Rs. 750 per transfer for Net Banking.

5. Thomas Cook’s Foreign Exchange App:
Thomas Cook’s foreign exchange app makes it very convenient to buy and sell foreign exchange. For money transfers, you just need to put in your details in the App and Thomas Cook will contact you for further steps.

5 best gold loan apps in India

A gold loan is a really convenient way of raising funds in the time of need. Every Indian family has gold, and whenever they need money, a gold loan is a hassle-free way to get a funds. The major advantage of gold loans is that it does not depend on the credit score of the borrower. Since the loan is secured against gold, the credit worthiness of the borrower is not a major consideration in approving the loan.

It is now simple to get a gold loan online and even on an app. There is gold loan app that help people to get loans at the tip of their fingers. With speedy approval online, it is convenient, easy, and beneficial to use a gold loan app to take this type of loan.

Here is a list of 5 best gold loan app in India:

1.Mannapuram Finance OGL app:

Mannapuram Finance has a gold loan which allows the user to take a loan anytime through the app. To avail this facility, first calculate your monthly outgo through the gold loan calculator. The gold has to be secured in a Mannapuram Finance branch, after which loan can be taken anytime through the app.

2. HDFC Loan Assist:
This is one of the most user-friendly gold loan apps. It includes a gold loan calculator so that you can calculate the EMI before you apply for the loan. This app disbursed money as quick as 45 minutes after the loan is approved. The minimum loan amount is Rs. 50,000.

3. Muthoot Finance Loan App:
The Muthoot Finance Online Gold Loan app is a convenient way for customers to get their loans. The loan allows them to make periodic interest and principal repayments through the gold loan app, check their payouts through a gold loan calculator, withdraw loan amounts and renew loans. it provides an easy way to raise funds in case of need.

4. India Info line Lending App:
IIFL provides gold loans on gold above 18 carats. It is possible to apply for the loan on their app, and get approval done online. The only time the customer has to visit the branch is to deposit the gold. The app also has a gold loan calculator for finding out the repayments.

5. Bajaj Fingers App:
The Bajaj Finserv app is one of the most popular gold loan apps. The app offers conveniences such as payments of installments, application for loans, instant application for pre-approved loans. This gold loan has no pre-payment or foreclosure charges.

5 best apps for travel offers in 2018

Travel has become the new buzzword. It is not something that people used to do once in a few years. With the whole world becoming accessible to Indians, travel is no longer an indulgence, but is considered a necessity.

With the increase in travel, there is an increase in the number of websites, apps and companies giving out travel offers. A large number of people scout for the best travel deals while booking their vacations. Whether it is discounted airfare, or the cheapest yet most memorable accommodation, finding best travel offers has become the way India travels. 

There are a number of apps that can be used to find the best travel offers.

Following are the 5 best apps for travel offers in 2018:

1. PayTM:
PayTM’s easy to use interface, best travel offers with cashbacks and discounts make it a great app to book travel. It is possible to book flights, bus and even train tickets. The app offers frequent discounts especially in the times of airline sales. There are cashbacks for first time users.

2. HDFC’s PayZapp:
PayZapp app provides a variety of travel booking options. They provide the best travel deals among apps and also provide 10% cash back on every transaction along with reward points. The app has tied up with Jet Airways, Indigo and Yatra for better travel deals for customers. Payment through the PayZapp app is very convenient. It can link multiple debit and credit cards which makes it easy to avail travel offers.

3. IRCTC:
Many people use the IRCTC app to book train tickets. But IRCTC has a robust system for booking air tickets and also for booking hotels and other travel requirements such as taxis. IRCTC does not advertise itself as being a travel portal but it has the least amount of service fees per transaction. Booking through IRCTC is convenient and can be used to avail of travel deals. IRCTC has recently revamped its website and mobile app which has made booking through this portal even easier.

4. MakeMyTrip:
This app is one of the biggest apps for travel deals in India. It is possible to book air tickets, hotels, tour packages, bus tickets from this portal. It also has a wallet facility for users to earn reward points to be redeemed in future transactions. MakeMyTrip also offers travel insurance along with bookings.

5. Cleartrip:
Cleartrip is an extremely popular app for travel offers. It provides a seamless booking experience and is very easy to use. Cleartrip provides a range of travel deals in flights, local trains, buses, hotels, and tour packages.

5 apps to transfer money from bank to bank

Phone banking is now a reality. Transferring money from bank to bank is no longer something that requires a lot of effort. It is not required to visit a bank or issue a cheque. Nowadays, it is possible to transfer money from bank to bank using different mobile apps.

There are several different bank money transfer apps that can be used to transfer money from one bank account to the other. Almost every bank has its own mobile banking app that helps to transfer funds. Apart from this, because of Unified Payments Interface, it is also possible to directly transfer money to a bank account even without having a particular bank’s app.

Following are 5 bank to bank money transfer apps:

1. BHIM UPI:
BHIM is the app launched by the National Payments Council of India (NPCI). The UPI system to transfer money has completely changed the payment ecosystem. It is no longer necessary to send bank account numbers to receive payments. It can all be done with the help of a UPI ID. BHIM is one of the best bank to bank money transfer apps. Each bank has its own version of the UPI app, but the best ones are ICICI, HDFC and SBI.

2. HDFC Mobile Banking App:
HDFC’s mobile banking app is one of the most seamless and convenient apps for transferring money. It has a user-friendly interface and its own secure login checks to ensure each transaction is valid. The app also has an extension called HDFC Chillr which is a bank money transfer app.

3. PhonePe:
PhonePe is one of the biggest UPI apps in the country. Transferring funds from one bank account to the other is very convenient with PhonePe. The user interface has been designed in such a way that even a layman can use it. The funds directly get credited to the bank account. It is possible to connect different bank accounts to one PhonePe account.

4. SBI Buddy:
SBI Buddy is SBI’s bank to bank money transfer app. It is not required to be an SBI customer for creating a Buddy account. The money transfer process is convenient, quick, and seamless.

5. Oxigen:
Oxigen is an RBI certified bank money transfer app. It was India’s first non-bank wallet which tied up with the NPCI for its operations. The bank to bank transfer is done via IMPS (Immediate Payment Service) or NEFT. It can also be used to make bill payments and for online shopping.