We love holding money in our hands. It’s tangible and makes us feel we’re in control. But with the digital age racing ahead, it’s about time we caught up with the latest technology. By that I mean not only learning how to navigate better with our gadgets, but accepting that money is slowly becoming intangible – and that our society is going cashless.
The Covid-19 outbreak taught us one huge lesson, among other things – digitalize as many things as possible and throw them up into the “clouds”. We are familiar with online banking – but not so much cashless payments vis a vis buying groceries, commuting, leisure activities and others.
So I was being a snail when it came to using my e-wallet options, because, honestly, I dreaded topping-up from my bank account every single time. I thought it would be rather time-consuming, and furthermore, I’d have to take a snapshot of my IC, my face and whatnot. But then, with viruses potentially being anywhere and everywhere, even on money, I decided to eventually sign up to my e-wallet accounts and give them a go!
So the ones I avidly use are TnGo and Grab Pay. And oh my – I didn’t know I was in for a drastic change. And now, I highly encourage everyone to pick up the pace and digitalize their lifestyles, because e-wallets enhance life, they don’t impede it. So here’s what I feel after using e-wallet payments for some time now.
1. I barely carry along any cash
You’d be surprised when the last time was that I withdrew money from the ATM – months! I only carry some change for parking (in case their system is a little lembab and doesn’t have Touch ‘n Go) and… mainly that. I feel much safer when walking on the streets because I don’t have a stack of cash that I’m fretful about.
2. I get awesome rewards and discounts
When I order food delivery, it’s usually via Grab Food and therefore, I use Grab Pay as a convenient method of cashless payment. I also use it frequently as a main payment method for other purchases.
Reason being, they’d usually have additional discounts, or you reap a hell of a lot of points which you can convert to cash discounts when you have a bounty sitting in your account. If I used my credit card, nada! I wouldn’t be earning points which could be reflected as cash discounts.
3. Don’t have to worry about not having enough cash
Ok, so you’re at the payment counter and are short of RM5. E-wallet to the rescue, like duh! Many F&B outlets – big or small – already have the e-wallet system, because it was a major requirement by the government during the Covid-19 lockdown. Another reason why I’m so into e-wallet payments is that I can ditch conventional money transfer via online banking, and just transfer money easily via Touch ‘n Go or Grab Pay.
Simply key in the recipient’s handphone number, the amount and your pin code, and voila – it’s done! Breezy! You don’t have to crack your head remembering your bank account password when someone is standing right in front of you with a poker face – waiting for their money to be transferred. Even better – you have the option of Auto-Reload when your cash reaches a minimum amount. So you don’t have to worry about transferring money from your bank to your e-wallet account.
4. I feel ‘cleaner’
Not having to touch physical money for a long time now has become a habit, and honestly, I feel a little paranoid. You have no idea how filthy the surfaces of the bank notes and shillings are. Of course, ordinary germs (which we were least bothered with before Covid-19) are not the main concern here – it’s the coronavirus that we’re absolutely obsessed about. The anxiety is reduced drastically when e-wallet became my BFF. I’d happily greet the person at the counter, take my package and leave. In my mind, I was silently giving the grim reaper the slip, because I didn’t need to take any change!
5. I carry a much smaller handbag
I have been on the hunt on Lazada, searching for cute miniature Korean sling bags which are attractive and super convenient. That’s because my purse has also reduced substantially in size, making my life so much easier. I only carry essential cards like my ID, driving license, and ATM card (just in case some places don’t accept e-wallet payments!)
So there you have it. Switching to e-wallets have made my life simpler in many ways. If you want to completely move to e-wallet payments, be sure to KEEP TRACK of your transactions! Cashless payment have a way of making us spend lavishly because we don’t fork out tangible money. So it wouldn’t affect you as much. Be calculative, track payments and put your foot down before going bananas with cashless payments – splurging away to your heart’s content.
More on shopping? Read this:
Impulse-ible! Routine Impulse Buying Could Lead You To A WHOLE Lotta Trouble
