Bad credit history? Shop online with pre-paid cards!

• Online shopping with Freedom Prepaid Card

If you are one of those customers who has stayed away from making online purchases because you don’t have a debit or credit card, here’s some good news. Itz Cash Card in association with DCB and visa has launched a ‘Freedom Prepaid Card’ which can be used to make purchases in stores, pay bills and book tickets online reports Hindu Business Line on Sunday. An interesting feature of this card is that you do not require a bank account or a good credit history as the money is front loaded. However, you will be required to complete your KYC (know your client) if you want to avail all the benefits offered. For now, the card is only available in Mumbai. Pick it up for an inaugural price of Rs50 only. Read more here.

[caption id=“attachment_182689” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Source: Reuters”]  [/caption]

• Holding investments does not help

So what’s your investment risk appetite? Are you the one who buys and holds for a long period? If you are then you should read this article by Business Standard which has done a pros and cons evaluation of this method as the recent volatility in the stock markets and lack of directions has resulted in doubts of investors whether the buy and hold theory still works. For example, in a buy and hold investment strategy one does not trade around positions, regardless of the market fluctuations. To understand this further, click here.

More from Investing

MSMEs are breaking the traditional convention. Look who’s funding them Scale-up your startup without an investor! Here’s how

• Choosing from infra bonds

It’s raining bonds or so says this article by the Hindu Business Line as it refers to five different infrastructure bonds which are now open for subscription. Amongst them, one could lock into the infrastructure bonds as they offer a good deal among the various debt options. Also investments in bonds upto Rs20,000 are eligible for tax deductions under Section 80CCF. Click here to read more.

While your parents may not be very open in discussing money matters with you, its important to go that extra mile and talk about it. According to an article by Business Standard, almost 10 million adults over the age of 50 are now providing for their ageless parents when they should be planning for themselves, a recent study by Metlife says. A simple way to start would be to discuss your financials with your parents and take their opinions. This will help them get involved and make it easier to open up to you. One should also do away with unnecessary bank accounts as it makes the overall banking process easier. Click here to read the rest.