Of Credit Cards and the World

Having had worked with a financial services companies for most of my twenties, I had been trained early to know well enough how credit cards work. I know full well that even just one-day delay in payments can be a huge financial set back.

I didn’t have the most wonderful relationship with my credit cards back in the day. I would often swipe more than I should and promptly forget how I was going to make the payments. Needless to say, it was like Becky Bloomwood, but I had my parents help me out clear my debt.

Now that I’m in my late twenties, I’m proud to have a wonderful relationship with my credit card. I use it a lot – but only when I know I have the equivalent cash to pay for it. Credit cards are heaven sent for not needing physical cash where needed. When I think about it, life had been much better since I have been paying for things in advance online, for example. There are just some moments in life that comes once in a while and lining up for the bank, paying in sums of cash and all that is just unthinkable.

For example:

Travel is the only expense that makes us richer, is what I believe in.

More than anything, it affords me the privilege to be with my family.

How do I begin to explain Tokyo? | Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo

Investing on my own home office is one of the most exhilarating experiences in life.

Of course, such power comes with responsibility, especially that the world is more materialistic than ever. We’ve all heard of going beyond our cash limits, fraudulent transactions and all even a life lived through credit card theft. Don’t forget the following reminders to avoid unnecessary hassles, too:

• Retain your credit card within reasonable limits. Be honest with yourself and know up to which point your wallet can take.
• Go the extra mile. By this, I mean using extra precautionary measures such as using OTPs {One Time PINs} such as Maybank’s. It only requires your account to be linked to your mobile phone such that you get a one-time pin every time you use your Maybank Credit Card online. More info on how to use this feature can be found here.

Malaysian bank, Maybank, is a proud sponsor of Singapore Digital Fashion Week --- something I would’ve done myself! 

• Be rational. The truth about credit card shopping is that it is not free money. Always think hard if you can afford anything you buy with your plastic {I know this is hard!} but at least you don’t get to suffer the consequences of late payments. 

When done correctly, the credit card can be your best friend

. As long as you stay within your limits, impose upon yourself stricter measures {OTP!} and know fully well that you can afford it, then by all means, pursue that dream trip, that restaurant deal or that designer bag you’ve always dreamed of.

Good luck!
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xx

*This post is brought to you by Maybank Philippines.