Advantages of Online Mobile Recharge

A mobile phone has become a necessity as it helps us in many ways other than calling and receiving calls. You can avail offers on mobile recharge via online apps. Here, we list the advantages of online mobile recharge:

1. Do It At Home

You can recharge your phone from anywhere that has internet connectivity. You can choose your plan and pay for it via digital wallets or internet banking and start talking and surfing the internet again. It saves time and effort. It protects the cost of transportation that you might have to pay to visit the recharge outlet.

2. 24x7 Availability

You can recharge your phone anytime you wish to. There is no need to wait for your local shop to open and visit there to get your phone operational again. You will also get so many offers on mobile recharge as well.

3. Use Cards and Digital Wallets

You don’t need cash for an online mobile recharge. If you keep withdrawing money from ATMs, it will charge you after a certain number of transactions. So, in that way you save money by charging your phone online. There are many digital wallets with an easy user interface which can recharge your phone with just a couple of taps.  

4. Get Discount and Cashbacks

The government is promoting cashless economy in the country. This move by the government has given an opportunity to many private operators to offer digital payment services. Due to cut-throat competition in this sector, the brand offers a discount and cashback to stay afloat in the market. You can switch between different apps to avail their recharge offers.

5. Prepaid and Postpaid

You don't have the facility of paying your postpaid bill at your local vendor. You are required to visit the office of that operator to pay the bill or deposit a cheque in the bank. With online recharge, you can easily choose between services and recharge immediately.

6. Choose from Different Plans

Sometimes when you visit a vendor for recharge, the vendor decides the talk time plan for your phone. They don't have time to let you know different offers and talk time. In the case of online recharge, you can view all the plans and choose accordingly.

5 Tips to keep in mind before transferring money online

Here are five essential tips that you should keep in mind if you want to send money online instantly: 

1. Avoid using public WiFi

The unsecured connection exposes your privacy to the hackers. They keep waiting for such an opportunity and take no time to steal your private data and, eventually, your money. If you don't have any other option, then consider setting up a VPN software on your system to create a secure tunnel between the network and computer.

As for smartphone users, the public network always is a threat while making payments on e-commerce websites or transferring funds via a money transfer app.

2. Use genuine anti-virus software

A genuine antivirus safeguards your data from phishing malware. They detect and remove the spyware which is responsible for stealing your sensitive pieces of information. Make sure that the antivirus software is recently updated as the hackers always find the way to crack the system and enter to your computer. Avoid using the system, even if it is a secure connection, for money transfer and payments.

3. Keep updating your operating system

You should always prefer a genuine operating system (OS) on your computer if you are planning to undertake online financial transactions. The authentic OS regularly updates the system to add security features and patches to keep the hackers away. Same goes with the smartphones as they also keep fixing the security features time and again. Never remove the security control when prompted, not even at the time of regular surfing. You should make sure to download every app that sends money online instantly, from the official store only. 

4. Change passwords regularly

Never, under any circumstances, share your password and OTP with others. You might feel tough to remember the complicated passwords, but that can save you against a lot of trouble. Make sure that you change the password occasionally to eradicate any chance for troublemakers to intrude your privacy. Avoid noting down your passwords for internet banking and other mobile money transfer app, even if you do; save it on the computer or smartphone, keep it secure and away from the desktop.

5. Subscribe to mobile-notification

Mobile notifications help you to monitor your transactions to a great extent. You receive an SMS as soon as any transaction takes place. If you are not using this feature, do it now. It will also send you alerts in case of false login attempts in the ATM and internet banking. You can contact immediately to the bank in case you notice any suspicious activity.

5 Factors affecting your car loan application

If you are planning to apply for a Car Loan, make sure to compare different offers provided by various financial institutions and choose the most viable options. It is imperative to consider the Car Loan interest rate and understand terms and condition before applying. Here we are listing down five factors which will affect your loan application:

1. The Credit Score

When you apply for a loan, the financial institution will evaluate your credit score based on your payment history and income. If you already have the debt of any other loan, make sure that there is no lapse and you have got enough resources to pay for the new liability. The credit score plays the most critical part in securing a loan so, keep paying your instalment on time. Timely payment will increase your chances of getting the loan at once after completing the documentation formalities. 

2. Utilisation of Credit

When you apply for a loan, the financial institution evaluates your credit limit based on the assets and income that you generate. It is always advisable to credit utilisation as low as possible to minimize the risk of a lapse in repayments. For instance, if your credit limit is 20 lakh and you secure a loan worth 1 lakh, your credit utilization ratio will be 5%, which is reasonably low and worth a risk.

3. The History of Repayments

When you apply for a car finance, it is imperative to pay the EMI on time, this keeps your credit score healthy and allow the financial institution to trust your abilities in repayment. Payment on time will not mount unnecessary pressure and rate of interest, and it also facilitates in future. Any default in repayment will bring down your image, and financial institutions will be reluctant to lend you any financial help.

4. Tenure of Debt

Debt tenure is the duration for which you take the loan. The financial companies who offer the loans consider the period for which you require the amount. If you avail a long-term loan and paying the instalment on time, this will make a positive impact on your credit score.

5. Differentiation of Credit

The financial institutions prefer those clients who ask for secured loans such as a home or a car loan; it gives a positive impact on your credit score. A credit card or a personal loan is an unsecured loan, and they are not very healthy for the credit score.

5 Reasons To Pay Bills Online

Paying your monthly bills is a time-consuming exercise, if you physically go and pay. However, online payments make life easy, as the payment gateways are secure. Here are five reasons to pay bill online.

1. Easy To Use

If you want to pay your bills online, basic knowledge of operating a smartphone and availability of highspeed internet can accomplish your task. The interface is user-friendly, and developers have brought the application in local languages as well. 

2. Convenient

When you opt for online bill payment, you avoid standing in queues. There are several public services  such as piped gas, electricity and telephone. Each has separate offices and different procedure to collect the bill. You can avoid all such complications while paying online.   

3. Cost Saving

You can save the cost of transportation by paying the bill from your doorsteps. Paying bills on time helps you in avoiding the fine on late payments. Remember, you also save a lot of other resources like paper when you choose to pay online. Some telecom operators even offer discounts when you want to receive a soft copy of your bills. 

4. Discount and Cashbacks

There are so many utility bill payment apps that promote digital payments to expand their business. They offer a lot of vouchers and cashback to retain their customer base. They also collaborate with the bill receiving authorities to send you notifications about the pending bill. So, even if you join the bandwagon now, there will be no shortage of offers and gift vouchers.

5. Track of Transactions

When you pay bills online, the application through which you made the payment, keeps track of the transactions. You can always go to the app and view your bill pay history. It can help you in monitoring your monthly expenses and save your time by maintaining a log. Managing a book of accounts is not required now.

Different types of savings accounts

A savings account is the most basic bank accounts. The savings bank account provides a place for people to keep their funds, receive payments, and make payments. A savings bank account holder gets services such as cheque book, internet banking, ATM card, debit and credit cards, etc. A savings bank account also receives payments, and the holder can set up auto debits, ECS for payments.

Many banks provide a savings bank account. A savings bank account can be opened either at the bank branch or online. Most banks have account opening forms online. With the changing requirements of people, the simple savings bank account has evolved into different types to suit the needs of people. The best bank for savings account is the one that meets your requirements thoroughly and 

Here are different types of savings account:

1. SavingsMax accounts:
This is a type of savings bank account for people who maintain high balances in their savings account. These accounts earn a higher rate of interest as compared to a basic savings account.

2. Women’s savings account:
This savings bank account is specially created for women. The account holder can get a preferential rate while taking loans. Some banks give women a higher withdrawal limit. They may get better offers on other products like debit cards and other products.

3. Children’s savings account:
These are best for inculcating a savings habit among children. These accounts come with a debit card cum ATM card and all other facilities like a regular savings account. However, the account has limits on daily spends and is linked to the parent or legal guardian's account.

4. Senior citizen account:
A senior citizen bank account provides a preferential rate of interest to senior citizens. Along with that, it offers other benefits such as insurance cover and preferential rate and discounts on the bank's products.

5. Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account (BSBDA):
This is a basic savings account for people from economically poor sections of the society who can’t meet the minimum balance needs of a savings account. This account is a zero balance account. It comes with all the other features of a bank account such as cheque book facility, ATM card, Passbook etc.

6. BSBDA small account:
This savings bank account is the BSBDA account with a maximum cap of Rs. 50,000 on the account balance. This means the balance in the account cannot exceed Rs. 50,000 at any point.

7. Family or Group savings account:
These accounts provide savings bank account facility for the entire family. They come with benefits such as a higher interest rate and greater withdrawal limit depending on the bank.

8. Government/Institutional savings account:
This is a type of a zero balance account for institutions to receive payments and make payments.

9. Government scheme beneficiary account:
Sometimes, banks require individual accounts to be opened for people who have to receive any direct transfers from schemes by the Government.

How to calculate fixed deposit interest?

A fixed deposit is one of the most popular forms of investment today. It is easy to set up a fixed deposit both online as well as offline. Most people only find out the interest that they will earn on the fixed deposit once the fixed deposit has been created. Lenders indicate the maturity value of the fixed deposit on the FD advice.

There are two ways to calculate the fixed deposit interest:

• Use a fixed deposit calculator:
An FD calculator uses the following inputs to calculate the maturity value and the interest earned:

o Principal amount
o Rate of interest
o Tenure

Most fixed deposit calculators also consider other factors such as the interest payout on the fixed deposit. For example, if the depositor selects the reinvestment method for interest, then the interest is capitalised periodically, thus compounding the interest. On the other hand, for other interest options, i.e. monthly payout, quarterly payout, maturity payout, the interest is calculated using the simple interest formula. Typically, reinvestment of interest leads to a marginally higher interest earning as compared to other modes.

After you input these three values, the FD calculator gives you the maturity value of the fixed deposit along with the interest breakup. Some calculators even give you the financial year breakup of interest, clearly showing the interval at which the interest is capitalised.

• Manual calculations:
Fixed deposit interest can be calculated using the simple interest formula for every option except for reinvestment of interest. The simple interest formula is:

Interest = Principal x Rate of Interest x Tenure

Lenders generally calculate the interest on a fixed deposit on a daily or monthly basis. So, using this formula will lead to an approximate figure very close to the actual amount of interest earned on the fixed deposit.

For reinvestment of interest, manual calculations can get a little complicated since the reinvestment depends on the lender and business practices may change. However, unless the principal amount is enormous, using the simple interest formula gives an approximate value of the interest earned, even for the reinvestment option. 


However, using an FD interest calculator is very helpful since it can accurately tell you the interest earned. By using this tool, you can find out your earnings in advance and choose between investing in a fixed deposit or deploying funds elsewhere. An FD interest calculator is an extremely simple tool to use and is freely available online especially on lenders websites.

What is IMPS?

With the evolution of digital banking, newer modes of fund transfers have arisen. Using cheques for payments has almost become obsolete with the introduction of several different digital banking techniques. NEFT and RTGS are two common modes of transfer of funds from a bank account. However, NEFT and RTGS are handicapped by the fact that these transfers happen during banking hours and on days that banks are in operation. For 24x7 transfers, a newer way is to use IMPS.

IMPS or Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) is an instant payment method where funds are transferred between two bank accounts immediately. This service is available 24x7. But the best advantage of IMPS is that it is primarily available on mobile phones. This has made it very simple to transfer funds using mobile phones. IMPS can be used to transfer funds from person to person or from person to a bank account directly.

Procedure for using IMPS:

1. The first step is to register for Mobile Banking of the respective bank. This will help with IMPS transfer. The registration is done using the customer’s mobile number and MMID (Mobile Money Identification Number). The MMID is a 7 digit number that identifies the bank that is offering the IMPS transfer and the customer.
2. To make an IMPS transfer, you need to add an IMPS beneficiary. This can be added via NetBanking or Mobile Banking through the bank’s mobile banking application. The details required are:
• Bank account number
• IFSC code of the bank
• MMID of the beneficiary
• Mobile number of the recipient
3. The bank may send a One Time Password (OTP) to authenticate the addition of the beneficiary. The beneficiary usually gets added in 30 minutes to a couple of hours.
4. Each bank has their limits on transfers to the beneficiary after addition. Some banks have limits only for the first 24 hours, while others have limits for the first few days. Post that, third party transfer limits applicable to NEFT will apply to IMPS transfer.

IMPS is an affordable means of fund transfer. Different banks set their charges for IMPS, and in most cases, the IMPS charges depend on the value of the transaction. Before making an IMPS transfer, check the costs on the bank's website. Most banks display the charges on their IMPS web pages.

One of the best advantages of IMPS is that the funds get credited to the beneficiary immediately, regardless of it being a holiday for banks. However, for an IMPS transfer to go through, the person must have an adequate bank balance.