While some of us might refuse to download banking apps to our phones (Me. Really.), smartphones have really allowed technology companies to come up with innovative ways to improve how we interact and transfer money. Whether you’re looking to share cash with friends or even just invest better, there are a host of tech innovations on your smartphone that make money sexy.
These are my 4 top picks:
1. Sending airtime to friends and colleagues
There is nothing more frustrating than needing an email or document from someone who is out of office and their response is “I don’t have data”. It’s a pet peeve of mine and that’s why I’m a big fan of FNB’s airtime and data purchasing option via SMS. All you need to do is activate cellphone banking with FNB and then dial *130*321# (and it works even when you don’t have airtime). You’re then able to purchase airtime, data or relevant bundles. You can choose to send these purchases to other numbers or your own. Pricing on the airtime and data is also pretty reasonable. Score! Once you’ve made a purchase your FNB account will be debited accordingly.
2. Send invoices without having to open your laptop
We’re all entrepreneurs. We’re all start ups. We’re all hustling to make a little extra on the side. Maybe you’re freelancing and haven’t got to the part where you’re buying accounting software yet. Maybe, like me, you’re on the go a lot and tend to be using your mobile to manage your life. No matter your situation you can use your smartphone to invoice clients and it is really easy. Forget about trying to fill in tiny excel spreadsheet blocks – PAYPAL does all the work for you! Once you have a PayPal account set up your invoicing can be done from your smartphone. You’re chasing money and the client asks for an invoice and they’ll “pay it today” – log in to your PayPal account and fill in a few client details (the amount they owe you and an email address) and then you just hit send. PayPal generates the invoice and emails it directly to the client who views the invoice and confirms the transaction on the PayPal website to pay the amount owing. You’ll also be notified when the invoice has been paid. It’s like having your own finance manager, but in your jeans pocket!
3. Pay for things online or send a payment via PAYPAL
PayPal is such a fantastic service to sign up to. For starters it links to your FNB account so you can top up your PayPal account reasonably easily (or out if you’re using it as a means to receive money). You can invoice overseas clients or use your account to buy goods online. Using PayPal to purchase items online is ideal because once you’ve registered and linked a card as a funding source, you don’t have to try remember any important information. PayPal records your financial information and keeps it more secure so when you use your account to pay for purchases there is no need to worry about credit card scams or your details being shared. Online stores utilising PayPal don’t even see your card details so your data is safe!
When I’m on my smartphone I actively search out online stores that have a “Pay with PayPal” button at their checkout points. Usually when you check out of an online store you need to confirm your shipping address, then your personal information, then you need to pay and the whole time you’re shouting profanities and your phone’s spell check and the tiny blocks filled with information (or not, because you’re 3 seconds from just ending the purchase). With PayPal’s Express Checkout the process is easier and shorter. All you need to do is to click the PayPal button. You’re then directed to log in to PayPal, confirm the transaction and then you’re taken straight back to the site you were on. Three actions as opposed to one million? So much better. I’m not sure why some online stores don’t incorporate PayPal. I just stay away from them. Ease of use is number one priority for all of us considering our busy lives!
4. Save some money!
This is a biggie for me. I’m the worst when it comes to budgeting and saving. However, there are a host of finance apps that can help you make ends meet come month end. My favourite so far is Level Money, available for free on Android and iOS. It syncs with your bank accounts and then by analysing your income, bill expenses and the like it then lets you know how much money you can afford to spend today, this week or for the month. Level Money works really well if you feed in the right information. I let it estimate my expenses and bills but then have also ear marked a set amount of money that goes into my PayPal account each month. I call it my “reward” money, because my PayPal cash is usually spent on stuff I really want as opposed to the day to day expenses I need to meet.
Have any questions? Contact PayPal – HERE