We exist in a world that thrives on ease and convenience, and credit cards bring that to the table. This is true for Atome, as well. If you don’t know already, Atome is an application that makes paying bills exponentially easy.
When almost every task has been reduced to a few taps on the smartphone, from getting groceries delivered to powering electronics, then why shouldn’t financial transactions be easy.
This article unveils the major pros and cons of owning a credit card and how alternatives like Atome are taking the buy now, pay later market in Singapore and elsewhere.
What are credit cards?
Having credit basically means you can purchase goods and acquire services without needing to pay for them immediately. Instead, you pay that money later, either in a lump sum or in installments.
Owning a bank’s credit card entails that you have the ability to buy anything – clothes, books, meals, shoes, and more – even when you don’t have cash in hand. Doesn’t that sound like a dream?
However, a not-so-dreamy aspect of using a credit card to pay your bills is the interest rate. When it is time to reimburse the bank for your haul, you are required to pay a certain percentage over the total expenditure. That percentage is the interest rate that is predetermined by the bank and varies for each one.
Every bank issues its credit cards, and while it is near impossible to crown one as the best, here are a few more commonly used in Singapore:
- DBS credit card
- UOB credit card
- Citibank credit card
- Maybank credit card
- CIMB Bank credit card
The advantages and disadvantages of having a credit card at your disposal
Have a look at both sides of the coin
Benefits:
- The freedom to splurge on whatever you want, whenever you want – more commonly known as greater purchasing power – as long as you stay within the credit limit.
- Not having to carry cash.
- There is room for your budget to expand.
- Credit card promotions and deals come in handy at several establishments as you end up saving a few bucks.
- You can amass miles and get cash-back opportunities.
- The mental peace of knowing that you have something to fall back on, on rainy days.
The downside
- The idea of having enough might cause you to overspend and rack up debt.
- You are always paying more than the amount spent because of interest rates.
- Credit cards come with a cut-off known as the credit limit, so there is an end to the fun.
- An inadequate credit score leads to the bank issuing you less credit.
Let’s talk about the credit limit
The total amount of money that one can charge to their credit card is the credit limit. This includes purchases and cash transfers. In no way can you go beyond the set limit.
You can find the credit limit mentioned on your credit card statement or by signing in to your account.
The amount of credit one can charge against credit cards is determined by different factors.
These are:
- The amount of money you bring in each month.
- Your monthly expenses.
- Your history with paying off debts, managing finances, and your credit score.
- Certain lenders have a limit set in advance.
How to increase your credit limit?
Do you find the cap off amount insufficient or maybe you feel like you can manage a higher credit line just as responsibly? Fortunately, there are ways to up the credit being lent to you!
- Be efficient with your credit. If you show the facilitator that you are using the issued credit responsibly, maintaining a good credit score, and making timely payments, there is a high chance that they will approach you with a better offer.
- On the contrary, poor credit practices can result in your line of credit being reduced. After all, the lender has to look out for themselves.
- Putting in a request yourself. Yes, this is an effective way of getting more credit. Make sure you have a solid credit score and well-managed finances before proceeding. Chances are the bank will grant your request; as long as you provide them with a satisfactory reason behind the decision.
- You probably already know this, but allow me to reiterate that due payments, a maxed-out credit limit, and income reduction are factors that will increase your odds of getting more credits.
Are credit cards worth the hassle?
The trick with these devices is to be great with your money. No matter how high or low the income is, if you know how to manage your needs, wants, miscellaneous expenses, payments, and savings within that amount, you are good to go. Get that credit card! Ask the bank for an increase in your line of credit.
As long as you can do this, keeping a credit card is going to be a walk in the park. Go buy that suit for the meeting. Get yourself that pair of heels. Take your family out to that 5-star restaurant.
Atome – the alternative
Behold Atome, a buy now pay later app. Enjoy the perks of a credit card without having to worry about interest rates or spending limits. I will tell you how but first, let’s look at the app’s background.
The name takes its origin from the phrase “Available-to-Me,” as the application dedicates itself to making a host of lifestyle brands and services more accessible to its customers. Since its establishment in 2019, Atome has taken Asia’s buy now, pay later scene by storm!
Headquartered in Singapore with over 10,000 partnered merchants and available in 8 markets, Atome offers its users the choice and convenience of flexible payment options for a variety of products and services. The app allows shoppers to split their purchases over three interest-free monthly payments by scanning a partner retailer’s in-store QR code or upon website checkout. By splitting their payments, Atome users will be able to better manage their budget while making quality products and services more reachable.
What makes paying with Atome unique?
- When one pays with Atome, their total bill is split into three more affordable payments.
- While the first one is made immediately, the remaining two are paid at intervals.
- These intervals are spaced apart to not burden you financially.
- The payments are free of interest.
- There are no hidden charges.
- The only prerequisite to using Atome is downloading the application (get it here) and signing up on it. The process is free of cost.
- You get a $10 signup reward.
- The Atome application has a user-friendly interface which makes it extremely easy to navigate.
- The Atome app can be used to pay for online and in-store shopping.
- Partnerned brands have a myriad of deals and discounts for Atome users.
Partner brands
While I cannot mention all 10,000 of them, here are a few that might tempt you into downloading the app:
- Nike
- Moschino
- JBL
- Dyson
- Universal Studios Singapore
- Klook travels
- Lenovo
- OPPO
- Lenskart
- iShopChangi
- Lovet
- G2000
How to use the Atome app?
Online purchase
- At checkout, select Atome to pay for your goods.
- Sign in to your account or create a new one.
- Apply vouchers, if any.
- Pay one-third of your bill upfront, which the remaining two payments will be charged automatically to your linked card.
In-store purchase
- Look for the brand’s QR code, open the Atome app on your phone and scan it.
- Enter the total amount.
- Avail yourself of the current discounts, if any.
- Pay one-third of your bill upfront, which the remaining two payments will be charged automatically to your linked card.
Conclusion
We all wish for financial freedom and no limit to our expenses, but alas, that’s quite impossible unless you have a genie hidden somewhere. While that sounds unattainable, facilities like credit cards and applications like Atome make spending a little less stressful and a lot more fun. The smaller payments make staying within budget less challenging.
