Shopping is an art, and mastering it can lead to significant savings without sacrificing the quality of the products you buy. Whether you are shopping for groceries, clothes or electronics, you can implement strategies to shop smart and save. Here's a guide to help you become a savvy shopper.
Understanding smart shopping
Smart shopping is about more than just finding the lowest price. It's about understanding the value of a product and making informed decisions to get the most out of your money.
It involves the following -
- researching products
- reading reviews
- comparing prices across different retailers
- considering the longevity and utility of the product
It's not just about buying the cheapest items but finding quality products at the best prices.
Leveraging Credit and Debit Cards
Credit cards and Debit Cards can be powerful tools for smart shopping. Many banks offer cards with reward programs that grant you points for every purchase you make. These points are redeemable for a diverse array of rewards, such as cashback, gift cards and air miles.
Axis Bank offers a range of Credit and Debit Cards with the Edge Rewards program. Every time you purchase using your card, you earn Edge Reward points. These points are redeemable for over 500 rewards and offers that range from shopping vouchers to travel bookings. This makes every purchase more rewarding.
Maximising rewards and offers: making the most of reward points
By understanding the reward system and strategically making purchases that maximise your rewards, you can optimise the benefits of your Credit or Debit Card.
Look for cards that provide extra reward points or cashback specifically designed for your common spending categories.
For example, Axis Bank's Rewards Credit Card and Rewards Debit Card offer accelerated reward points on online and in-store purchases, making them ideal for regular shoppers.
Moreover, with Axis Bank's Grab Deals, you can avail of exciting offers and discounts on your Credit and Debit Card purchases. These offers are available across a wide range of categories, including dining, shopping, travel, etc., ensuring that you can save money on almost every purchase.
To maximise your reward points, consider using your card for everyday purchases. Even small transactions can add up over time, leading to a substantial amount of reward points.
Utilising online shopping platforms
In the era of digital shopping, online platforms can be a treasure trove for smart shoppers. They often offer competitive prices, exclusive online discounts, and the convenience of comparing products from different brands in a single place.
Planning your purchases
Planning your purchases can lead to significant savings. By keeping track of upcoming sales and discounts, you can time your purchases to get the best deals.
Many retailers offer seasonal sales, end-of-season sales and festival sales - you can get quality products at discounted prices.
Consider using your Credit Card for big-ticket items. It allows you to spread the cost over some time, making it more manageable. Remember to pay off your Credit Card bill in full each month to avoid interest charges.
Paying your Credit Card bill on time
When you shop regularly with your Credit Card, ensure you pay your bill in full and on time each month. It helps you avoid interest charges and maintain a good credit score. Late payments can lead to additional charges and negatively impact your credit score, making it tougher to get credit in the future.
Axis Bank provides convenient options for Credit Card bill payment, including online payment, mobile banking and auto-debit. This ensures you never miss a payment.
By setting up an auto-debit instruction, your Credit Card bill will be automatically paid from your Axis Bank account each month, ensuring timely payment and helping you avoid late payment fees.
[Also Read: Why Shopping Online Is Better For Your Budget]
Conclusion
Smart shopping is all about making your money work harder for you. By understanding the value of products, leveraging the benefits of Credit and Debit Cards, maximising rewards and offers, and maintaining good credit habits, you can save money without sacrificing quality.
Disclaimer: This article is for information purpose only. The views expressed in this article are personal and do not necessarily constitute the views of Axis Bank Ltd. and its employees. Axis Bank Ltd. and/or the author shall not be responsible for any direct / indirect loss or liability incurred by the reader for taking any financial decisions based on the contents and information. Please consult your financial advisor before making any financial decision
