Category: Finance

With so many UPI apps and RuPay credit cards available today, figuring out which one offers the best benefits can be confusing. I already had an ICICI Rupay credit card, and was looking for better alternative, when someone from the community suggested Supermoney UPI App has good cashback.

So, I decided to test this out myself over the last two months by tracking my daily expenses using two tools:

• The SuperMoney UPI app

• My ICICI RuPay credit card

Here’s what I found.

1. My Spending & Rewards Breakdown

SuperMoney UPI App

• Total Amount spent: ₹20,380

• Cashback earned: ₹98

• Effective cashback rate: ~0.5%

I used SuperMoney for all types of payments: to individuals, small businesses, and merchants. The cashback varies depending on the recipient:

• Lower cashback on transfers to savings accounts

• Higher cashback on payments to businesses—especially those that support credit card payments

💳 RuPay Credit Card (ICICI)

• Total spent: ₹49,992

• Rewards earned: ~1,000 points ≈ ₹250

• Effective reward rate: ~0.5%

The RuPay card gave consistent rewards across most spending categories, and being a credit card, it offered up to 30-40 days of credit, which is a bonus in itself.

2. Effective Net Cashback

Here’s where it gets exciting. When used together,  RuPay credit card through the SuperMoney app—I effectively get 1% cashback on my overall expense.

• 0.5% cashback from SuperMoney

• 0.5% reward from the RuPay card

That adds up to an effective 1% return on my expenses with 60-70% being done by credit card. Makes it a pretty decent deal for daily expenses.

3. Conclusion

Both SuperMoney and RuPay credit cards offer similar returns individually (~0.5%), but their real strength is in how they complement each other:

• RuPay credit card gives you standard rewards plus credit for up to 45 days.

• SuperMoney offers cashback even on savings account transfers and to merchants who don’t accept credit cards—which is a great.

So depending on where and how you’re spending, you can choose or combine the two for maximum benefit.

4. The Search for a Better Credit Card

While this combo works well, I’m still on the hunt for a RuPay credit card that gives better cashback or rewards—especially for daily use.

There are lot of options now in the market, both by big banks & young startups.

• Banks: IDFC First, IndusInd

• Startups: Fibe, Jupiter, Kiwi, and others

Some of these newer players are offering fresh benefits, app-based tracking, and better integrations with UPI apps and wallets.

If you’ve used any of these cards—or found one with better perks—let me know in the comments. I’d love to try it out and compare results.

Final Word

If you’re looking to optimize everyday spending, using a RuPay credit card with a cashback-focused UPI app like SuperMoney could be a smart move. You get the benefit of rewards, credit, and cashback—even on savings account transfers.

Got a favorite RuPay card or rewards app? Share your experience—I’m all ears!

Here is a list of different type of investment options and the platforms that offer these. If any notable platform is missing, please let me know in the comments.

🔹 List of platforms that offer investment options in Bonds & have OBPP license from SEBI

🔹 List of Companies or Platforms that Offer Asset Leasing Opportunities

These are unregulated investment opportunities (very high risk). These are similar to FOCO model (Franchise Owned Company Operated).

🔹 Here is a list of platforms that offer investment options in Invoice Discounting.

🔹 List of platforms that offer investment in Fractional Real Estate, SMREITs, NCDs linked with Real Estate

🔹 List of Digital Gold or New Age Gold Investment Options.

DISCLAIMER: This is not a investment recommendation. This list is for information & educational purpose only. Some of these instruments are regulated investment options while others are unregulated which make them very very high risk. Please do your research & due diligence before investing in any product or platform or seek professional advise.

The Growing Popularity of Solar Energy

Solar energy has been gaining popularity over the past 20 years. Govt is promoting solar to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels & import. While businesses and individuals are choosing solar power to reduce their electricity expenses. Its a win win for almost everyone.

Despite knowing these fundamental advantages, I have seen so many homeowners and businesses still hesitating to install solar panels. Most common reason is lack of clarity on the financial sense of solar system & its long term returns.

Is Solar a True Investment or Just a Utility?

The main question many people have is whether solar should be considered an investment or just a utility expense that saves money. Investments typically generate returns over time, while utilities are simply costs. So where does solar fit in?

I’ve been working closely with Solarium Green Energy, India’s leading EPC companies. This company, run by a friend, has installed solar systems for over 20,000 customers across India. Through their experience, I’ve realized many people don’t view solar as an investment. Instead, they see it as a good thing to do but are uncertain about the returns and financial benefits.

In this blog, I’ll break down simple calculations to evaluate solar as an investment. We’ll use standard financial metrics used for investments like mutual funds, bonds, and fixed deposits (FDs) to see how solar compares with them.

Understanding the Payback Period

One key factor in determining whether an investment is worthwhile is the payback period. Based on government solar calculator website here, a typical 3 kW residential solar setup—the most economical and efficient choice—has a payback period of around 5.32 years. Here’s how the payback changes with different system sizes:

• 2 kW system: Payback period of 5.47 years
• 3 kW system: Payback period of 5.32 years
• 4 kW system: Payback period of 5.63 years

For our calculations, let’s assume an average payback period of 5.5 years.

Calculating Returns on Solar Investment

Let’s start with a simple assumption:

If the payback period is 5.5 years, the annual savings as a percentage of the initial investment would be around 18%.

This means if you invest ₹100, you save ₹18 per year.

The lifespan of a solar system is typically 25 years. Based on this, the internal rate of return (IRR) would be over 18%, which is a substantial return on investment.

Now, let’s make this calculation more conservative:

• If the payback period extends to 8 years, the return comes down to 13.3%.
• If the lifespan of the system is only 15 years instead of 25, the returns would still be around 9.8%.

Even if we assume a worst-case scenario where the payback period is 10 years and the lifespan is 20 years, the net XIRR (extended internal rate of return) is still 7.75%, which is comparable to FDs.

Additional Factors That Improve Solar Investment Returns

Increasing Power Consumption:

• India’s per capita power consumption grows 2-3% annually.
• As people buy more appliances, electric scooters, and electric cars, their electricity use will rise.
• This means the returns on solar investment will increase over time.

Rising Electricity Tariffs:

• Power tariffs increase by 1-3% annually, depending on the state.
• Factoring this into calculations, solar becomes even more attractive as an investment.

Maintenance & Recurring Costs

• Annual maintenance & renewing inverter after 10-15 years are expenses that will pull down the XIRR a bit

Key Takeaway: Plan for the Long Term

Taking into considerations that solar is such a good investment, it is better to plan for long term when investing and make the best of it. Since, it highly likely that our power consumption will increase (along with the tariffs), if your current energy consumption suggests a 2 kW system, it may be wiser to invest in a 3 kW system. As power consumption and electricity costs rise, a larger system will provide better returns in the long run. If you install a system that is too small, your returns will be limited, and you may need to expand later at a higher cost.

Final Thoughts

This calculation isn’t 100% accurate as it varies based on individual circumstances, but it provides a solid framework for evaluating solar investment. Even if we include a 25% margin of error, returns can still be expected to be around 12%, which is higher than FDs and comparable to bonds.

If you’re considering setting up a solar system for your home or commercial property, I’d be happy to discuss your specific requirements. Feel free to reach out with any questions!

Stay healthy, invest well!