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Can I Pay All My Bills and Recharges with a Credit Card Without Fees?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Mar 18, 2025

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more
Satyanarayan Question by Satyanarayan on Mar 17, 2025Hindi
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Money

Is there way I can pay all bills,recharegs by credit card without any fees or charges

Ans: Yes, you can pay bills and recharges using a credit card without any extra fees by following these methods:

1. Use Payment Apps That Do Not Charge Fees
Many apps allow bill payments via credit cards without extra charges:

Amazon Pay
PhonePe
Paytm (for selected payments)
Google Pay (for certain services)
Before paying, check if they charge any convenience fees.

2. Use Your Bank’s Bill Payment Facility
Most banks provide bill payment options via credit cards without charges.

Check your bank’s net banking or mobile app for bill payments.

Some banks have offers or cashback on bill payments.

3. Pay Directly on Service Provider Websites
Some service providers accept credit cards directly without fees:

Electricity bills
Gas bills
Mobile and DTH recharges
Broadband payments
Go to the official website of your service provider and check.

4. Look for Credit Card Offers & Cashback
Some credit cards offer rewards, cashback, or discounts on bill payments.

Check your credit card issuer’s app for ongoing offers.

Some cards offer zero-fee auto-pay for bills.

5. Avoid Third-Party Payment Gateways
Many third-party payment sites charge 1%–2% extra for credit card payments.

Avoid platforms that add “convenience fees” at checkout.

Always compare fees before paying.

6. Use Reward Points for Bill Payments
Some credit cards allow you to redeem points for bill payments.

Check your card’s rewards portal to see if this option is available.

Final Tip
Always check transaction details before paying. If there is a fee, try another method or platform.

Let me know if you need specific platform recommendations!

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP
Chief Financial Planner
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 02, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 26, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi sir I am having credit card due of 6.5 lakh and 2 emi of 20000 and 33000,. Pls confirm how can I close my credit card bill in next 6-7 months. As now I am paying only minimum amt which causing high interest. Is there any option to convert the bal of credit card in EMI. My Salary is 175000 per month
Ans: You have already taken the first strong step—acknowledging the credit burden and actively seeking a structured way out. That shows your commitment.

With a salary of Rs 1.75 lakh per month and a credit card outstanding of Rs 6.5 lakh, it is absolutely possible to close this liability in 6–7 months. Let us look at the most practical path from a 360-degree financial planning lens.

» Understanding the Severity of Credit Card Dues

You are currently paying only the minimum due. This is not sustainable.

Interest on credit cards is usually around 36% to 42% annually.

This compounds rapidly and can almost double the principal in 2 years.

Even Rs 6.5 lakh today can easily grow to over Rs 9 lakh in just 12 months.

So, early action is not optional—it is absolutely necessary.

» Analyse Your Net Surplus Every Month

Your take-home is Rs 1.75 lakh monthly.

Your two EMIs take away Rs 53,000.

Assuming Rs 50,000 for household and lifestyle expenses.

You are left with about Rs 72,000 net surplus every month.

This will be your key tool to fight off the credit card debt.

» Step 1: Stop All Non-Essential Investments Temporarily

Pause SIPs, RDs, or other discretionary investments for 6–7 months.

You are not losing returns; you are avoiding huge interest outflow.

Reinvesting can resume once you are debt-free.

Financial freedom is the priority now.

» Step 2: Check with Credit Card Provider for EMI Conversion

Most banks allow credit card balances to be converted to EMIs.

Interest rates for such EMI conversions are between 12% to 18%.

Compare this to 36%–42% on unpaid credit card balance.

Approach your bank and request to convert Rs 6.5 lakh to 6-month EMI.

If EMI is too large, ask for 9 months, but repay in 6 using prepayment.

Ensure you are not taking a new loan, just restructuring the same amount.

Ask if there is a processing fee or foreclosure charge.

» Step 3: Use a Personal Loan Option (Only if Card EMI Not Available)

A clean personal loan can be cheaper than credit card rollover.

Banks and NBFCs may offer loans at 11% to 15% if your credit score is good.

Apply only if you get lower interest than credit card EMI conversion.

Make sure it’s not a top-up or secured loan.

Avoid peer-to-peer or loan apps due to hidden charges and harassment risk.

» Step 4: Aggressively Prioritise Debt Repayment

Use your Rs 72,000 monthly surplus entirely for repayment.

If card is converted to EMI, pay that and no fresh swiping.

If not converted, pay Rs 60,000 monthly toward principal.

Use snowball method: focus repayment on one card if there are multiple.

Make sure minimum due is paid for the second one to avoid penalty.

» Step 5: Restructure or Prepay High EMI Loans if Needed

If one of your EMIs (Rs 33,000 or Rs 20,000) is personal loan or vehicle loan,
ask bank if tenure can be extended to lower EMI temporarily.

This frees more cash flow monthly.

Rechannel this freed amount toward the card repayment.

You can again prepay EMI loan after credit card is closed.

» Step 6: Avoid Further Credit Card Usage Entirely

Stop using credit card for all types of purchases.

Switch to debit card or cash for 6 months.

Remove credit cards from e-commerce and subscription sites.

If needed, temporarily block the card to avoid temptation.

Use UPI or net banking for digital convenience without further debt.

» Step 7: Use Bonus, Arrears or One-Time Income as Lump Sum

If you receive bonus, incentives, or tax refund, allocate 100% toward repayment.

Every Rs 1 lakh lump sum will cut down interest and tenure.

Sell low-return assets if needed (e.g., jewellery or idle bank deposits).

But don’t touch emergency fund below 3 months’ expenses.

» Step 8: Track Your Progress Weekly

Maintain a Google Sheet or diary.

Record all payments, balances, and EMIs.

Seeing the reducing balance will keep you motivated.

Mark 15th of every month as repayment review day.

» Step 9: Get Guidance From a Certified Financial Planner If Needed

In case you feel overwhelmed, consult a qualified CFP.

They will prioritise your needs over commissions.

Avoid generic online calculators or agents pushing more loans.

Avoid app-based consolidation tools which come with hidden risks.

» Step 10: Plan to Rebuild Once Credit Card Is Closed

Rebuild your emergency fund to cover 6 months’ expenses.

Restart SIPs toward retirement, children’s education, or any goal.

Keep one credit card with low limit for convenience—not credit.

Enable SMS alerts for transactions above Rs 500 for awareness.

Schedule weekly review of credit report every quarter.

» Final Insights

You have strong earning potential with Rs 1.75 lakh salary.

With disciplined steps, credit card debt can be closed within 6–7 months.

Avoid rotating balance or refinancing with high-interest options.

Prefer EMI conversion or personal loan route if offered at lower rate.

Focus on cash flow, cut waste, and be emotionally detached from credit cards.

Once free from this, you'll feel mentally and financially lighter.

Rebuild wisely to ensure this situation doesn’t repeat again.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

..Read more

Samraat

Samraat Jadhav  |2499 Answers  |Ask -

Stock Market Expert - Answered on Aug 18, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 15, 2025Hindi
Money
I have debt of rs. 20lakhs which include pl and credit card bill payments and my monthly income is 28k only please suggest how to I am debt free
Ans: 1. Assess and List Out All Debts
List each loan and credit card with:
• Amount owed
• Monthly EMI or minimum payment
• Interest rate
This will help you understand which debts are costing you the most and need to be prioritized.

2. Create a Bare-bones Budget
• List your essential expenses only: rent, food, utilities, transportation.
• Allocate most of your income toward debt repayment: Many people use a “60-30-10” rule—spending 60% of income on debts, 30% on essentials, and 10% on minor needs or savings, if possible.
• Cut all non-essential expenses (entertainment, eating out, subscriptions).

3. Prioritize Payments
Pay expensive loans first: Focus on debts with the highest interest rate (usually credit cards)—this is called the Avalanche Method.
Always pay at least the minimum on all debts to avoid penalty charges or further damage to your credit score.

4. Talk to Your Lenders
Request lower interest rates or extended loan tenures. Some banks and NBFCs might offer hardship or restructuring programs.
Ask about converting credit card balances into loans with lower EMIs.
Check if you qualify for a debt consolidation loan to combine all debts into one EMI at a lower rate.

5. Explore Additional Income Sources
Take up a side job or gig: tutoring, food delivery, freelancing, weekend work, etc.
Sell unused items online.
Any extra amount should go directly to debt repayment.

6. Avoid Taking On New Debt
Don’t use credit cards or personal loans for discretionary spending.
Avoid “payday loans” or instant loans with high interest.

Sample Monthly Action Plan
Step Amount Allocated
Income (per month) ?28,000
Essentials (rent, food, etc.) ~?8,000-?10,000
Debt repayments ?16,800-?18,000+ (60%+)
Other (emergency savings) ?0-?2,000
If your current minimum payments are more than your income allows, you must negotiate with lenders, as defaulting will further hurt your financial health and credit score.

Mindset Tips
• Celebrate small wins; every rupee paid reduces your stress.
• Stick to your plan—discipline will help you get through this.
• Don’t lose hope—many have successfully cleared similar debts with patience and perseverance.

Final Note
Your current income is not sufficient to clear such a large debt in a short time. Becoming debt-free will require:
• Aggressively cutting expenses
• Increasing your income wherever possible
• Negotiating with lenders for the best possible repayment terms
Seek help when needed and stay disciplined throughout the journey.

..Read more

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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

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Asked by Anonymous - Dec 08, 2025Hindi
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Hi i am 40M. would request your help to understand what should be the corpus required for retirement as i want to get retired in next 3-5yrs. currently my take home is 2.3L monthly & my wife also works but leaving the job in next 2-3 months. we have a daughter 10yrs, currently i stay on rent and total monthly expense is 1.1L month. once i will retire we will shift in our own parental flat, where hopefully there will be no rent. current Investments 1. 50L in REC bonds getting matured in 2029 2. 42L in stocks 3. 17L in MF 4. 16L FD 5. 15L in PPF 6. 1.3L SIP monthly i do My Wife Investments 1. 30L corpus 2. flat with current value 40L and we get rental of 10K monthly. Please guide what should be the retirement corpus required combined to retire, assuming i need 75L for my daughter post grad and marriage and we would be requiring 75K monthly for our expenses after retiring
Ans: You have explained your income, goals, current assets, and future plans with great clarity. Your early planning spirit is strong. This gives a very good base. You can reach a peaceful retirement with smart steps in the next few years.

» Your Current Position

You are 40 years old. You plan to retire in 3 to 5 years. You earn Rs 2.3 lakh per month. Your wife also works but will stop working soon. You have one daughter aged 10. Your current monthly cost is around Rs 1.1 lakh. This cost will reduce after retirement because you will shift to your parental flat.

Your investment base is already good. You have saved in bonds, stocks, mutual funds, PPF, FD, and SIP. Your wife also has her own savings and rental income from a flat. All these create a good starting point.

This early base helps you plan stronger. It also gives room for more shaping. You are on the right road.

» Your Family Goals

You need Rs 75 lakh for your daughter’s higher education and marriage.

You want Rs 75,000 per month for family living after retirement.

You want to retire in 3 to 5 years.

You will shift to your parental flat after retirement.

You will have rental income of Rs 10,000 from your wife’s flat.

These goals are clear. They give direction. They allow a strong plan.

» Your Present Investments

Your investments include:

Rs 50 lakh in REC bonds maturing in 2029.

Rs 42 lakh in stocks.

Rs 17 lakh in mutual funds.

Rs 16 lakh in fixed deposits.

Rs 15 lakh in PPF.

Rs 1.3 lakh as monthly SIP.

Your wife holds:

Rs 30 lakh corpus.

A flat worth Rs 40 lakh with rent of Rs 10,000 each month.

Your combined net worth is healthy. This gives good power to build your retirement fund in the coming years.

» Understanding Your Expense Need After Retirement

You expect Rs 75,000 per month after retirement. This includes all basic needs. You will not have rent. That reduces cost. This assumption looks fair today.

Your cost will rise with inflation. So you must plan for rising needs. A strong retirement corpus must support rising cost for 40 to 45 years because you are retiring early.

An early retirement needs a large buffer. So you need safety along with growth. Your plan must include growth assets and safety assets.

» How Much Monthly Income You Will Need Later

Rs 75,000 per month is Rs 9 lakh per year. In future years, this cost can rise. If we assume steady rise, your future cost will be much higher.

So the retirement corpus must be designed to:

Give monthly income.

Beat inflation.

Support you for 40 to 45 years.

Protect your family even in market down cycles.

Allow flexibility if your needs change.

A strong retirement fund must support both safety and long-term growth.

» How Much Corpus You Should Target

A safe target is a large and flexible corpus that can support long years without running out of money. For early retirement, the usual thumb rule suggests a very high number. This is because you need income for many decades.

You need a corpus big enough to produce rising income. You also need a cushion for unexpected health costs, lifestyle shocks, and inflation changes.

Your target retirement corpus should be in a strong range. For your needs of Rs 75,000 per month and for goals like daughter’s education and marriage, you should aim for a combined retirement readiness corpus in the higher bracket.

A safe range for your family would be a very large number crossing multiple crores. This large range gives you:

Income safety.

Inflation protection.

Peace during market cycles.

Comfort in long life.

Room for daughter’s future.

Strong backup for health.

You are already on the way due to your existing assets. You will reach close to this range with systematic building over the next 3 to 5 years.

» Why You Need This Larger Corpus

You will retire early. That means more years of living from your corpus. Your corpus must not fall early. It must grow even after retirement. It must give monthly income and long-term family protection.

This is only possible when the corpus is strong and well-structured. A weak corpus creates stress. A strong corpus creates freedom.

Also, your daughter’s future cost must be kept aside. This must be parked in a separate fund. This must not touch your retirement money.

A strong corpus makes these two worlds separate and safe.

» Your Existing Assets and Their Strength

You already have good diversification:

Bonds give safety.

Stocks give growth.

Mutual funds give managed growth.

FD gives stability.

PPF gives tax-free long-term savings.

This blend is already a good start. But you need to make the blend more structured for early retirement.

Your Rs 1.3 lakh monthly SIP is also strong. It builds your future fast. You should continue.

Your wife’s rental income is small but steady. This adds strength.

Your combined financial base can reach your retirement target if you refine your allocation now.

» Your Daughter’s Future Fund Need

You need Rs 75 lakh for your daughter’s education and marriage. You should keep this goal separate from your retirement goal.

Your current SIP and future allocations should create a dedicated fund for this goal. A long-term fund can grow well when managed actively.

Do not mix this fund with your retirement needs. Mixing leads to shortage in old age. Always keep this corpus ring-fenced.

» A Strong Asset Mix For Your Retirement Path

A balanced mix is needed. You need growth assets to beat inflation. You also need stable assets for income.

You must avoid index funds because they do not give flexibility. Index funds follow a fixed index. They cannot make active changes in different markets. They cannot move to better stocks when markets change. They force you to stay in weak sectors for long. They also do not help you in down cycles because they cannot protect you by shifting to safer options. This can hurt retirement planning.

Actively managed funds are better because:

They give active asset selection.

They give scope for better returns.

They give flexibility to change sectors.

They give downside management.

They give access to a skilled fund manager.

They support long-term planning more safely.

Direct plans also carry risk. Direct plans do not give guidance. They do not give behavioural support. They do not give market timing help. They do not give portfolio shaping. They leave all the judgement to you. One mistake can cost years of wealth.

Regular plans with guidance from a Certified Financial Planner help you shape decisions. They help you remain disciplined. They help you avoid panic. They help you decide allocation changes at the right time. This saves wealth in long-term.

» How Your Investment Journey Should Grow in the Next 3–5 Years

Continue your SIP.

Increase SIP when your income rises.

Shift part of your stock holding into planned long-term mutual funds to reduce concentration risk.

Build a defined daughter’s education fund.

Keep a part of your REC bond maturity amount for long-term.

Avoid locking too much into fixed deposits for long periods.

Build a safety fund for one year of expenses.

This will create a full structure.

» Your Rental Income Role

Your rental income of Rs 10,000 per month is small but steady. Over time it will rise. This income will support your monthly cash flow after retirement.

You can use this for utilities or health insurance premiums. This gives a cushion.

» Your Emergency Buffer

You should keep at least one year of essential cost in a safe place. This can be in a liquid account or short-term fund. This protects you in shocks.

Since you plan early retirement, a strong buffer is important. It gives peace even in low months.

» A Structured Retirement Approach

A complete retirement plan for you should include:

A clear monthly income plan after retirement.

A corpus that can grow and protect.

A rising income system that matches inflation.

A separate daughter’s future fund.

A health cover plan for your family.

A tax-efficient withdrawal plan.

A market cycle plan to protect you in tough times.

This holistic approach keeps your family strong for decades.

» What You Should Build by Retirement Year

Your aim should be to reach a strong multi-crore range in investments before retirement. You already hold a large amount. You will add more in the next 3 to 5 years through SIP, stock growth, bond maturity, and disciplined saving.

Once you reach your target range, you can start the shifting process:

Move a part to stable assets.

Keep a part in long-term growth assets.

Create a monthly income strategy.

Keep a reserve bucket.

Keep a child future bucket.

Keep a long-term growth bucket.

This structure protects you in all market conditions.

» Final Insights

Your financial journey is already strong. You have a good income. You have saved well. You have multiple asset types. You have a clear timeline. And you have clear goals. This foundation is solid.

In the next 3 to 5 years, your focus should be on growing your combined corpus to a strong multi-crore range, keeping a separate fund for your daughter, reducing risk in unplanned assets, and building a stable long-term structure.

With the present path and a disciplined structure, you can retire peacefully and support your family with confidence for many decades.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...Read more

Samraat

Samraat Jadhav  |2499 Answers  |Ask -

Stock Market Expert - Answered on Dec 08, 2025

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 08, 2025

Money
Hello my name is saket, I monthly salary is 43k and my saving is zero. My Rent is 15 k and 10 k i send to my parents. How can i save money and investments.
Ans: 1. Your Current Monthly Numbers

Salary: Rs 43,000

Rent: Rs 15,000

Support to parents: Rs 10,000

Left with: Rs 18,000 for food, travel, bills, and savings

You have very little room, but saving is still possible if done smartly.

2. First Step: Build a Small Emergency Buffer

You must build Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 emergency money.
This protects you from taking loans for small issues.

How to build it:

Save Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 every month in a simple bank savings account

Do this for the next few months

Don’t touch it unless truly needed

3. Create a Mini Budget (Very Simple One)

Try this split from the remaining Rs 18,000:

Daily living (food + transport): Rs 10,000 – 11,000

Personal expenses (phone, internet, basics): Rs 3,000 – 4,000

Savings + investments: Rs 3,000 – 5,000

If this feels difficult, reduce food/transport costs by small adjustments.

4. Where to Invest Once You Have Emergency Money

(For minors: This is general education. For actual investing, get guidance from a trusted adult or family member.)

After you build emergency money, start small monthly investing.

You can begin with:

Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 SIP in a simple, diversified equity fund

Increase the SIP whenever salary increases or expenses reduce

Avoid complicated products.
Keep it simple.
Focus on consistency.

5. Easy Practical Ways to Increase Saving

These small moves help a lot:

Avoid food delivery

Use public transport as much as possible

Reduce subscriptions you don’t use

Fix a daily expense limit

Keep a separate bank account only for savings

Even Rs 200 saved daily = Rs 6,000 monthly.

6. Increase Income Slowly

Try small income boosters:

Weekend tutoring

Freelancing

Part-time projects

Selling old gadgets

Learning new skills for future salary growth

Even Rs 3,000 extra income changes your savings life.

7. Build the Habit First

The amount doesn’t matter in the beginning.
The habit matters more.

Even saving Rs 500 every month is better than zero.
Once salary grows, you will already know how to save.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...Read more

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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