Thu. Nov 21st, 2024
digital wallets

Discover how e-wallets have been changing our lives left and right and what the future holds when it comes to finance technological advancements.

The Influence of Digital Wallets on Everyday Life

Remember when we carried cash with us all the time? We thought cards made a revolution in the world of finance, but digital wallets have taken the game to the next level.

The days of moving money in our pockets around are long gone. Even if you want to have fun at your favorite online casino, you can do it in a pure Internet format. Platforms like Hit’n’spin allow you to play without ever having to leave your home or hassle about getting real money.

This is just one of the changes eWallets have brought into our lives, and below we’re exploring all the other aspects of this magnificent improvement.

What Is a Digital Wallet?

First and foremost, what should a “digital wallet” mean to one?

In its most simplified definition, it is a type of application or software on your phone or tablet, or even a computer that stores your payment information securely. It can store your credit cards, debit cards, and even loyalty cards, all in one place.

But these wallets are not just about paying. They’re increasingly becoming fully capable financial tools. You can store virtual tickets, boarding passes, gift cards, and in some, even cryptocurrency. The likes of Apple Pay, Google Wallet, PayPal, and Samsung Pay among others have led the charge, and now there are countless others jumping on board.

Convenience at Your Fingertips

Probably the biggest ways eWallets are changing everyday life revolve around pure convenience.

How many of us have stood in a line at the grocery store, struggling to find the right card, only to drop the wallet and spill coins everywhere? With a digital wallet, those days are over. Just tap your phone at checkout, and you’re good.

It’s quick, it’s easy, and you aren’t even concerned that you may have left your wallet at home because who forgets their phone?

And it is not only about in-store payments. Digital wallets make online shopping pretty easy, too. No more typing in your card details every time you want to buy something. Just select yours at checkout, confirm the purchase, and voilа – you are good to go! It’s like having your very own personal cashier who remembers all your details.

Your Money’s Safety – Peace of Mind

Now you are probably thinking: “Okay, but what about security?” After all, a wallet used to be something you kept close to you literally. The idea of storing all your financial info on a phone actually might sound quite risky. But here is the thing: digital wallets are often more secure than traditional ones.

First of all, eWallets adopt encryption and tokenization. What it means is that your actual card number is never pulled out and shared with the merchant every time you make a purchase. That being said, it is swapped out for a unique token, one that is used in the purchase and quite meaningless to anyone who may steal it.

In addition, most wallets require some type of authentication, like fingerprint or facial recognition capability, or a PIN, before they will let you make any sort of payment.

Think of it like this: the wallet thief has all they need to begin his shopping spree on you; the cell phone thief, though, has a tough time getting his hands on your money due to these extra layers of security.

Managing Your Finances

Digital wallets help you manage your money smarter, rather than simply spend it.

Many of them already have built-in budgeting tools whereby spending is tracked; they can even go as far as to categorize purchases so you see exactly where the money goes. On top of that, it can warn you if you’re overspending in some areas.

And then, of course, there’s the issue of peer-to-peer. The likes of Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App have made it so easy to split bills, pay your friend back for dinner, or even send it as a gift.

No need for any more awkward “I’ll pay you back” moments or dealing with having cash, which nobody seems to carry anymore. You can send money instantly from a phone number and/or email address quite often.

The Future of Digital Wallets?

So, what does the future hold for digital wallets? Well, they can only keep burrowing deeper into our lives. We’re already seeing an increase in further uses in areas, such as digital IDs and even, in some locales, a driver’s license.

Can you envision not carrying any cards at all since your phone does it all?

The same potentially applies to digital wallets that become central with a wide selection of cryptocurrencies. As internet forms of money begin to create some traction, a secure, accessible means of storage and portability is viewed as a central factor in management and spending.

And as technology keeps on upgrading, so will it ensure that these wallets take space in human life. With that in mind, if you haven’t joined the digital wallet trend, this may be the perfect time. After all, who does not want to make life a little easier?

By Dipo Olowookere

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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