We can confidently say that we might survive without cash at hand but not without Internet connectivity. So, if you are using your Internet connection to crib about the recent demonetisation drive on social media platforms and wondering how to pay for an Ola or Uber trip or dinner, then it is something laughable.
The new currency regime is surely causing a big headache for the poor daily wage earner, the disenfranchised, small business and the ones who are faceless and now are actually cashless as well.
But if you are able to read this article, then it is seriously time to rethink whether you actually need to lineup in fronts of banks immediately. At least, enjoy the fact that you are privileged and try going cashless for everyday needs for some time.
Going cashless is easy. Just keep your debit or credit card and a smartphone with Internet connectivity handy.
Travel
For long distance trains and flights, you can obviously use your debit or credit card to buy tickets online. You can also use digital wallets. To travel within the city, you can use Ola or Uber and pay digitally. You can also recharge Metro cards by using any of your cards. Interestingly, some autorickshaws are now accepting Paytm transactions. However, without cash, you will not be able to travel on local buses, trains and other cheaper modes of public transport. If you are going on a vacation, you can even book a hotel, digitally.
Food
In most restaurants, small or big, you can pay with your card. You can also opt for food delivery apps like Zomato, Swiggy and others to get food delivered at your location while paying digitally. The problem is in paying roadside food vendors serving delicious fast food or tea. If they use a smartphone, you might try to convince them to accept digital wallet money transfers.
Groceries/Daily items
There are apps like Groffers, Big Basket and others. If you are not sure of the service, you can obviously opt for a supermarket chain like Big Bazaar, Reliance Fresh, Safal or others to pay via cards. You can even buy alcohol and cigarettes by swiping your card. Of course, not to forget e-commerce websites where you can buy anything from dinner plates to furniture to even flats online and pay digitally.
Utility bills
Almost all bills including electricity, water, cooking gas, DTH and telephone can be paid online.
The list goes on
While most digital wallets still need to expand their reach, there are not many places where you can’t swipe your card. Feel lucky that you have an alternative option to cash.
The mind frame needs to change. You can start by using your cards to make payments only and slowly migrate to digital wallets going forward.
For most office-goers, the liquid cash at hand is very less. We have a mixed usage pattern for daily transactions and the new currency regime overs the right time to migrate to digital.
Don’t forget to share your cashless experience in the comment section below.
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