I expect my credit card bills every third week of the month.  A CityBank bill, an HSBC Classic Mastercard bill, an HSBC Mabuhay Miles Mastercard bill and a Diners club bill.  Why do I have four?  Well, hmmm… that’s another story, but at the end of it I completely pay it all off every month.  In summary though, I use one for the 0% interest deals, one to earn extra plane miles, one for all office expenses and one for loyalty reasons.  It was the first card I owned, the first who trusted me to have one! :)

So anyway, at the end of every month I pay all off right.  Three of them I pay online and one I write a check for.  This story is about my personal experiences of having to pay online and offline. 

Not sure if it’s just me, but somehow it seemed far more painful to write a check than to merely fill in numbers and hit send.  I don’t really know why. I think the convenience/danger of online banking is you do not really have a firm grasp that it is your money that’s being taken in and out of your account.  If you write a check… ah you feel it (at least I do).  It is harder to physically see something parting from you.  Ah, maybe that’s why!

If you’re frequently paying online (like me), it wouldn’t hurt to realize the following reminders to keep you aware that even if it’s a cyber-transaction, somewhere down the business transaction you made is an actual exchange of physical money for services/products.

Check out these tips, and have a safe online payment adventure:

1.  Always use a secure Internet connection when making a purchase.
2.  Shop with businesses you already know and trust.
3.  Look for coupons and other discounts.
4.  Comparison shop
5.  Be skeptical.
6.  Check the shipping costs
7.  Protect private information.
8.  Review the return and refund policies.
9.  Pay with plastic.
10. Print a copy of your order for your records.
 

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