“Penny saved, is a penny earned!” I cannot help but feel, how true this saying is today, when I try and calculate how much I am now saving each month, thanks to finally paying off my credit card debt (finally did that couple of months ago).
While the most apparent positive impact of completely paying off Credit Card Debt is the removal of high interest rate that one has to pay on the outstanding balance (constituted 7.14% of my total Credit Card Bill last fiscal), the other positive impact is in the reduction of Service Tax and Cess, we end up paying to the government, since it is also levied on the interest we have to pay to the credit card company!
Based on my calculation, on average I would be saving a whopping 40% in Service Tax and Cess each month, by not paying any interest to my credit card company and at the same time, spending much more than what I was, at the same time last year!
Another way I would be saving some money is by paying my Credit Card Bills Online, instead of paying cash at the bank branch, which I earlier used to do and it attracted a fixed cash processing fee of Rs. 50 per payment (Rs. 600 a year), not to mention cost of petrol to commute to the bank and the parking charges!
While all this might not seem like much, but when you are spending a good six figure amount each year through you credit card (mostly on business related activities) all these small charges can add up quickly and end up becoming a major invisible and useless expenditure and isn’t even deductible!
The next step I am planning to take is to apply for another Credit Card from a different bank, to not only serve as a backup in case of any issues with the current Credit Card or the Credit Card Company, but also one which gives cash back on online payment of Utility and Phone Bills (which I already do) and can thus be utilized to save a little more on these recurring, yet important expenses.
2 Comments
YS i have been paying my credit card due diligently for the past few years and that gives you total control over your financial planning..
Online payment facility is there for my credit card company which i use from the comforts of my home. (going to bank to pay the bill is not economical certainly and time wasting too)
I got another credit card apart from my primary card and i had to pay Rs.5000/- as penalty on non-payment of charges (there was some dispute with the bank). I cancelled that card and that certainly affected my credit rating..I am thinking of getting my credit report from CIBIL.
They say too many credit cards contribute to low CIBIL score…Don’t keep them if you don’t require them.
Thats small contribution from my side 🙂
Rahi, the reason I need a backup card is due to the fact that I need a secondary card for BCP (Business Continuity Plan). Today in case something goes wrong with my credit card, I wouldn’t be able to pay for some of the services I have to pay more regularly, since the service providers are located in other countries. Hence it is more of a need of business, hence needs to be addressed.