Gone are the days of standing in long queues at the bank or waiting endlessly for cash to be processed. Digital wallets & UPI have revolutionized how money moves, giving women more control, flexibility, and security in handling their finances.
Let’s understand in detail what is a digital wallet, the difference between UPI and digital wallets, and digital/ mobile wallet advantages.
What are Digital Wallets?
A digital wallet, also known as a mobile or e-wallet, is a mobile app that securely stores your financial information, enabling card-free and cashless payments. You can download a digital wallet app on your smartphone, load it with funds from your bank account, debit, or credit card, and use it as a digital alternative to a physical wallet.
Digital Wallet Benefits & Features for Money Transfers:
- Instant Money Transfers: With digital wallets, you can transfer money anywhere, anytime, whether you’re sending pocket money to your child at college or paying your grocery bill, it happens in seconds.
- User-Friendly and Accessible: Most digital wallets are designed to be easy to use, even for beginners. If you can operate a smartphone, you can use a digital wallet.
- Enhanced Security: Digital wallets use encryption and secure login methods like OTPs (one-time passwords) or biometric authentication. As a woman we are always concerned about safety, so, this ensures that your money is protected. Also, do your own research before uploading money to any wallet to be on the safer side.
- Helps in Budgeting: As there is a need to preload the digital wallet and you can use only that amount of money, helps you limit your expenses and manage your monthly budget, unlike UPI where there is a possibility of overspending as money gets deducted directly from your bank account.
- Record Keeping: Digital wallets keep a detailed record of all your transactions, offering a clear and organized history of your financial activities. This feature is perfect for tracking expenses, budgeting, and managing financial reports effortlessly.
Difference between UPI & Digital wallets
| Features | Digital Wallet | UPI |
| Money Storage | Stores money digitally in the wallet through the mobile app. | Doesn’t store money, directly accesses a bank account. |
| Preloading Funds | Preloading of funds is required into the wallet. | No need to preload, payments are made directly from your bank account |
| Bank Integration | Works independently of bank accounts. | Links directly to your bank account. |
| Transaction Process | Funds are deducted from the wallet balance. | Transfers happen in real time from the bank account. |
| Scope of Usage | Often limited to specific platforms or merchants. | Universally accepted across platforms and merchants. |
| Example | It is like the physical wallet/purse you carry where you have to put (preload) cash and you can use only that amount. | It is like a debit card where, where your money gets deducted directly from your bank account. Just it’s more convenient. |
There are various online money transfer benefits, but make sure to use them cautiously and wisely. In a tech-savvy world we are adopting new technologies, which is a good thing, however, managing the use is of utmost importance, so that you don’t end up overspending or exceeding your budget, so, digital wallet is one of the effective ways to manage your expenses.
Also, before spending money on your needs and wants it’s very important to first at least save & invest 20% for your future goals, and then the remaining 80% you can spend on your needs and wants. You can also start investing through Lxme’s well-researched and expert-curated portfolios.