DigiLocker Review

About DigiLocker:

It’s a government of India initiative to digitise India which allows Indian citizens to carry their important documents on mobile (in digital form) instead of carrying the originals. It’s an initiative to go paperless and hassle free.

It’s a cloud based platform for storage, sharing and verification of documents and certificates.

The app is available for download on Google Play store and Apple Store.

Every Indian citizen who signup gets dedicated cloud storage space linked with their Aadhaar number.

Website https://digilocker.gov.in/

Links:

Google Play > https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.digilocker.android

Apple Store > https://apps.apple.com/in/app/digilocker/id1320618078

Benefits:

-        Easy access to documents using the app instead of carrying the original documents and certificates in physical form. Drive without any worry to carry documents, use digilocker in airport entry, in railways for ticket verification and many more.

-        Paperless solution

-        Hassle free / easy to use app

-        Approved and recognized by various institutions and government authorities

-        Easy to get the documents verified by sharing the documents and certificates

-        Easy to link documents / certificates

-        Easy to upload documents through Desktops / mobile app.

-        Easy to get the uploaded documents e-verified

How it Works:

Ø  Signed Up user requests the Issuing authorities for the document by entering in their personal details

Ø  Issuing authority issues the document digitally

Ø  The document gets linked (added) in requester’s digilocker account

Ø  Document is now accessible to use anytime, anywhere through the mobile app

Ø  Requester can also share the document with concerned people anytime through the app

Ø  For the documents not found, requester can upload it and get it e-verified.

Documents that can be added:

Driving Licence

Vehicle RC

Gas Connection

Education certificates

Pan Card

Aadhaar Card

EPFO

Issuers / Requesters LIST:

Users can request documents using digilocker from  these Issuers: https://digilocker.gov.in/index.php/apps/issuers

Users can apply at below mentioned list of centers / institutions / state organisations using the digilocker digital documents:

https://digilocker.gov.in/index.php/apps/requester

How to Link any Doc:

On Laptop:

Steps:

1.      Signup either using your email address or Aadhaar number

2.      On Dashboard, click on “Get Issued Documents” button

3.      Search for the document you want to request from the issuer. For eg: Vehicle RC or Aadhaar card

4.      Locate the state of the issuing authority and click on it

5.      Enter your details in various fields

6.      Click on “Get Documents”

7.      System will take some time to process the request and show the document. The document will be linked and saved under “Issued Documents”.

8.      You can share this document or show at the time of physical verification the authority concerned.

On Mobile:

Steps:

1.      Signup using aadhaar or email address and Sign in

2.      On Dashboard, click on “Get Issued Documents” button

3.      Click on the dots menu in top right corner

4.      Click on “Fetch Documents”

5.      Select the concerned authority from which the document is to be fetched. For eg: Aadhaar number or Driving licence

6.      Select the state of the issuing authority

7.      Enter in details and submit

8.      System will process the request and generate the digital form of the certificate

9.      Link it to your digilocker account and you are good to carry this mobile app doc now and show it when needed for verification.

URL to link Aadhaar card / Update Profile / Update mobile number https://digilocker.gov.in/index.php/apps/aadhaar_profile/

Upload Documents:

What if your document is not available with the issuing authority. What if you do not have the complete details for the document or the requested data isn’t matching with the issuing authority.

In this case, Users can upload the document in digilocker account using the app or on desktop.

How (On Desktop):

1.      Login

2.      Click on your name in top right corner

3.      Click on “Uploaded Documents”

4.      Either use an existing folder or create a new one

5.      Click on “Upload” button

6.      The document gets uploaded in your digilocker account

7.      Click on “Link Document” link that comes up against your uploaded document

8.      Select the kind of document uploaded and Save it

9.      You can now share this uploaded doc by clicking on the SHARE link

10.   You can also download or delete it.  

Upload using Mobile app:

1.      Signup and login

2.      Click on hamburger grid menu at top left corner

3.      Click on “Uploaded Documents”

4.      Either use an existing folder or create a new one

5.      Click on the 3 dots in top right corner

6.      Click on “Upload” button

7.      Attach the document from your mobile’s local storage

8.      Click on “Link Document”

9.      Select the type of document from the dropdown menu and Save it

10.   The document uploaded is now ready to be shared or use for verification.

Dehydrated Mango Slices - 200 Gm - Product Review

We all love mangoes. How good it'll be if its available during off seasons as well. But unfortunately its not. So one has to look for alternatives to enjoy mangoes when its naturally not available.

I have a craving for mangoes. I love this sweet little yellow fruit since my childhood. And now, I was so very much eager to have it that i decided to buy aam papad or dehydrated mangoes instead to satisfy my need for it.

So, I recently bought "Dehydrated Mango Slices - 200 Gm" from Amazon India.

I searched a lot but couldn't find any good aam papad online so bought this very product from Amazon.

Now this post is a review about this product.

Well, the package arrived on time. And the packaging and the product covering was good enough to impress me. But the worrying factor was the product inside the transparent packet. First of all, it never looked how it was shown in product image on Amazon. On trying to cut the dehydrated slide from outside the packet (the plastic covering was not too thick) with my thumb nail, but i was unable to do so. Each slice was so hard to cut through easily. Imagine how hard it'll be to bite and consume ? i know its dehydrated so its suppose to be hard but not that hard. This was way too extreme to easily bite through it seems.

I decided to open the packet to experience the taste of it. On immediately opening the packet, it gave a peculiar, hard hitting pungent smell, that was highly irresistible. I just could not stand it. It was way too extreme. Now i have tasted / had dehydrated mangoes before. Those were mainly bought from offline markets. But they never had such a smell. So i was clueless as to why it had such a dark smell. First thoughts - Is it expired but it didn't looked like.

I ate a piece of it. It took no time for me to judge this product as a complete waste of money. My very first bite turned out to be the last one from this package. No I wasn't dead eating it. Just that i could not think of having it anymore. It was way too bad taste-wise. Not only hard to chew but also without taste.

Now this product is Organic with no adulterants / sugar added but it didn't seemed natural to me.

I was taken by the kind of positive reviews customers has given for this product on Amazon, so i purchased this product. But after experiencing it first hand, i realized i could have searched for a better product somewhere else online or maybe offline in local stores.

I spoke to Amazon Cc and told them about my experience. They were kind enough to give me the complete refund and even asked to keep the product as it is perishable as they wont initiate pickup for it.

Note: At the time of writing this review, I bought this product from Amazon for Rs. 199 for 200 grams.

Now, I started searching for a better product and found these "Fresho Signature" aam paapads on bigbasket. Bigbasket has its own brand Fresho under which it sells aam papads.

I bought a 50 gms packet to try it out for Rs. 65. To my pleasant surprise, aam papad from Bigbasket rocked. It was sweet and sour at the same time, thus making it worth consuming. It has a peculiar smell but not strong enough to hold you back. It wasn't too hard to chew either and my kids loved it whereas they hated the dehydrated mango packet brought from Amazon. This Fresho aam papads / dehydrated slices from Bigbasket do not have any added preservatives and is 100% natural but does contain sulphurless sugar. And its expensive when compared to Amazon product but completely worth the value.

So i think, anyone whose looking to buy aam papads / dehydrated mango slices from Amazon, may skip this product and look for better options (I already suggested one offer from Bigbasket).

Views expressed here are completely personal to give buyers an idea about the products.

Thanks

Orpat OEH-1220 2000-Watt Fan Heater (White) - Product Review

This Post is a product review of "Orpat OEH-1220 2000-Watt Fan Heater (White)" bought from Amazon.

I bought this heater as my room during winters gets real cold that makes it unbearable to sleep at night.

Let me share Pros & Cons about this heater based on my experience of using this product now for a while.

Pros:

• It has 2 Heat Setting knob (1000 Watt & 2000 Watt) basically to warm up the room at a faster pace like the knobs we have in ceiling fans. So basically these are the modes at which the heater works. 
• it has a safety mesh at the front which makes it easy to use and handle even while the machine is running.
• The first knob when you start the machine turns on the fan. This does not heat up the room. it's just the normal fan.
• It is ideal for small rooms like 10x10 or 11x11. Placing it in a hall or larger room will not warm / heat up / regulate the room temperature effectively and quickly.
• it's effectively for rooms measuring upto 20x20 ft. 
• 25-30 minutes it takes the heater to warm a small size room on knob 1
• 15-20 minutes it takes to warm the room on knob 2
• it has a cool touch body. The hot element (copper wire) inside the machine is well guarded. So chances of getting shock or burned while handling the device are minimum.
• It does not occupy much space
• Portable. Can be easily packed and unpacked and kept anywhere in the room.
• You can move the machine easily even while its running.
• Light weight.
• it has a safety and thermal cut-off to prevent any shocks / sparks during long usage at high temperature.
• The heat from the machine is not prickly
• ISI marked
• it comes with a 1m wire

Cons:

• it does create noise(low) while the machine is in use. But the noise is not too disturbing or loud and one get used to it.
• Avoid using it too close to skin sensitive people / kids / infants
• Long hour usage may dry up the air in room. Better to keep a bucket of water (half filled) to maintain room moisture.
• it does not have the regular plug to plug in. It comes with a 15 amp plug. So make sure you have those wide power switch boxes (15-16 amp) and not the normal switch boards to plug in the device.

Overall, this a very good product as it heats up room pretty quickly. The heat from the machine is strong to regulate a small room / hall / space effectively.

Warranty:

It has a 1 year Warranty.

Price:

It's not too expensive. I have bought this product twice from Amazon. First time i bought this for 1000 bucks and later for 839. So one can set price alert if planning to buy it in near future. I have seen this product being sold for as low as 750 bucks on Amazon. So keep a price trigger running for this product,

Recommendation:

It's a value for money product. A must have product during winters to beat the cold. 

Websites to Follow / Subscribe for Stocks / Mutual Funds

Here's a list of blogs / websites that users can subscribe / follow to know more about Stocks / Mutual Funds / Personal Finance / Stock Markets / Long Term Investing / Trading / Value Investing / Banking:

1. ReLakhs.Com

2. IndiaNotes

3. JagoInvestor

4. Aditya Greens

5. Sowmay Jain

6. MoneyControl

7. StockAxis

8. Safal Niveshak

9. Seeking Wisdom

10. Dynamic Levels

11. Valuable Gems

12. Multibagger Indian Stocks

13. FootPrints

14. Alpha Ideas

15. Gale

16. Personal Finance Calculators

17. WiseWealthAdvisors

18. My Investment Ideas

19. Dial Wealth

20. Be Money Aware

21. Nooresh Merani

22. Nitin Bhatia

23. Square Off

24. Simple Interest

25. The 80/20 Investor

26. Matter of Money

27. Share Genius

28. Vijay Malik

29. kbsee

30. Good Funds Advisor

31. JSS

32. CogniCrafting

33. Inside Simple Finance

34. Vipin Khandelwal

35. Traders Choice

36. SubraMoney

36. Franklin Templeton Academy

37. VR

38. AIFW

Users can subscribe to these websites to learn and know more about not only Stocks, Mutual Funds but also Personal Finance.

Note: This is a under construction post. I'll keep adding to the list now and then. Thanks

HDFC Home Loan Closure Procedure

This post will discuss steps / process / procedure to close your Home loan by pre-payment.

Note: If you are planning to make pre-payment (partial / full), please avoid going on Saturdays to HDFC home loan branch as they do not deal in pre-payments on Saturdays.

Steps:

1. Visit HDFC Home loan branch (Not necessarily has to be the Servicing branch from where your Home loan was issued).

2. Meet the Representative

3. (S)he will ask you to fill out the Disclosure form. You need to mention the source of income if you are planning to pre pay (partial / full) the loan. You don't need to mention the exact actual amount (approximate value will do) from each source while filling the form.

4. Once you submit the form, they calculate the amount to be paid.

5. Handover the cheque for pre-payment (made in favor of HDFC LTD)

6. Once they receive the cheque payment, your home loan gets closed. You get a final receipt for the cheque given immediately.

7. Ask for the Amortization sheet which details all the information for the EMIs paid from Starting till date. They will give you the amortization schedule immediately or ask them to send it in email. Make sure you get this done.

Note: This sheet will cover all the information of your loan till the date you gave final cheque (cheque details not mentioned in it).

Final amortization sheet (Schedule) which includes the final payment can be downloaded from your HDFC home loan login after a month of loan closure. Or you can visit the branch and get it from there after the month.

8. It takes 10-15 days to get the Property deed file couriered to the loan closing branch (if your servicing branch is different from the visiting branch) depending upon the release of payment for the submitted cheque.

9. Get a date from the Representative as to when you should come to collect the documents personally. Do not ask them to send it via courier because if you do so, tomorrow if some page is missing or torn or damaged, HDFC will not take responsibility as you have already signed the home loan closure documents.

Documents that you should receive on Home Loan Closure:

1. Property Deed: Get all the properyy related documents from HDFC. This should include - Original sale deed of property, Original conveyance deed, POA, Possession letter, payment receipts, Cancelled cheque's given.

Please make sure all pages are intact and not torn.

2. NOC (No Objection Certificate) / LCC (Loan Closure Certificate) / NDC (No Dues Certificate)

3. Ask for CIBIL Score Update - 28th of every month, HDFC sends information to CIBIL about the current status of each loan. So if you have closed your loan or applied for loan closure, HDFC will make sure your CIBIL score is updated in the records.

Note: It takes 3 months from loan closure date to get CIBIL score updated.

4. Memorandum of Deposit: They do not give you MOD at the time of Loan Closure. As per HDFC, you have already received your MOD at the time you start Home Loan with HDFC.

5. Promissory Note

About ECS (Electronic Clearing Service):

if you have initiated an ECS for home loan EMI payments every month, HDFC will make sure that no new ECS request goes to your saving bank account after the loan closure. You don't have to personally visit your bank to get the ECS removed.

HDFC Home Loan Branch Timings

20 Ways to go Cashless

So it's been 20 days since the government announced the demonetization of 500 / 100 rupee tender notes. Here are 20 different ways users can go cashless by making payments through use of plastic cards (credit / debit), mobile e-wallets, cheques or online transfers.

Users can:
1. Buy Grocery from Bigbasket using PayTM, PayU, HDFC PayZapp or Mobikwik app

2. Pay / Recharge mobile and landline connections, data cards, DTH connections, broadband bills, metro payments using PayTM mobile app.

3. Pay Utility bills for Gas / electricity / water using PayTM app

4. Use Chillr app to split money between friends

5. Use Chillr app to pay / transfer consultation fees / money to doctors or other hired services.

6. Pay house maid / gardener / servant / plumber etc through bank cheques or make use of PayTM app to transfer money online or offline

7. Pay Insurance premium or School / College fees using PayTM app

8. Transfer money online using either traditional bank account transfer or through PayTM

9. Shop at PayTM's online MALL (ecommerce store) to buy from various categories like Mobies and mobile accessories, electronics, Fashion, sports and health, home & kitchen etc.

10. Book Movie tickets on BMS using various mobile wallets like PayTM, Mobikwik or PayU etc.

11. Book bus, train, flight tickets using PayTM or Mobikwik app

12. Book Hotel reservations using PayTM

13. Pay using PayTM, HDFC PayZapp app for cab rides

14. Transfer money to friends, families using PayTM, Mobikwik or Chillr app.

15. Pay for patrol / diesel using your credit / debit card or PayTM app

16. Avoid Cash on Delivery for products bought online

17. Use PayTM app to pay offline on various departmental stores

18. Use debit / credit card for buying medicines offline

19. Use OlaMoney to pay for ola rides

20. Send money from PayTM to users bank accounts.

Note:

1. Link your ICICI bank's debit / credit card to Payback to earn Payback points

2. Use various mobile wallet apps while buying online on various ecommerce stores to Earn Cashback

3. Use honey app on checkout page to get hefty discounts before making online payment on various ecommerce stores like firstcry, amazon etc. How ? Click here

4. Maintain balance in e-wallets to earn cashbacks

5. Ask friends / families to join various mobile wallet apps to earn reference cashback and points.

6. Use CouponDunia to earn cashbacks while buying stuff online on various ecommerce stores like firstcry, amazon etc.

7. Buy baby products from FirstCry to earn Loyalty points.

8. Chillr app works best if you have HDFC Bank Account as not all banks are listed as partners within the app.

Read:

How to use PayTM to make Payments

Save Money Buying Online

Multipro Indian Style Ghodiyu Baby Sleep Swing Cradle - Product Review

When my wife's due date was near, we knew it'll be tough handling twins especially when it comes to make newborns sleep. A very thought of it gave us nightmares. As we were staying nuclear, we had no support or external help from either side of our families. So we started looking out for options that can help us ease the pressure of handling twins.

We started searching for a good quality swing / cradle for our twins. We were convinced that a cradle is a Must Buy if parents wants their babies to sleep peacefully. We came across many options (wooden, plastic, hanging swings etc.) and after a thorough research and study, zeroed it down on "
Multipro Indian Style Ghodiyu Born Baby Sleep Swing Cradle, Pink" available on Amazon.

So in this post, i will review this Multipro swing (cradle) available on Amazon and discuss its pros and cons.

Review:

About the Product:

This product is sold by Multipro seller on Amazon. It's an Amazon fulfilled product.

It comes with a 1 year warranty from seller.

Multipro as a seller takes very good care of their customers. If you have an issue, they are very prompt to help you out. They are very supportive and even ready to replace the damaged part as long as the product is within warranty.

Because i had twins, so i bought 2 swings. One of the swing had an issue (issue mentioned below "Cons" section). So i registered a complaint through Amazon (Contact Seller). Multipro was quick to call back and helped me to resolve the issue at the earliest.

About Canopy: The canopy comes with a string attached to it which makes it easy for parents to swing the cradle back and forth. But the string is not long enough to give swing from a distance. So i extended the string by connecting it to another string.

Discounts:

Because i bought 2 swings, i asked the seller for the discount. They were very prompt in giving me a good discount. They gave cashback in my Amazon account.

Multipro also give discount if you write a Review of their product on Amazon's product details page and give them a feedback.

Pros:

- Easy to assemble and dis-assemble.
- No technical know how or tools required to install / de-install it
- Light weight, easy to carry
- Can hold upto 20 kgs baby weight and 35 inch (88 cm) is baby height limit
- Portable. It comes in a bag (case). So users can easily pack it and carry while travelling.
- Firm Stainless Steel pipe frames are corrosion resistant and rust free. 
- Very Sturdy swing
- Cotton Canopy comes with a net to protect babies from insects and mosquitoes
- Entire swing once assembled, holds the baby in canopy real well.
- Baby doze off quickly in the swing after a while swinging back and forth
- Joints are fitted firmly and supports the baby in cradle. 

Cons:

- The pink connector has a knob to tighten. Over a period of use, the connectors needs to be tightened once to make sure the cradle holds well and firm.
- Baby has a curved posture in this swing. 
- Slightly over priced. I bought this for Rs. 3590 from Amazon
- When you swing the cradle back and forth, air moves inside the canopy and right on baby's face and body with pressure. This makes the baby sneeze. 
- If you happen to rock the swing, there are high chances of it to topple as the rubber pads come off the floor very easily
- Sometimes the cradle makes a clinking noise when the hangers rub against the hooks while swinging. I tied a piece of cloth between the hook and hanger to overcome this noise issue.
- Do not swing on wet floor because the cradle skids a lot and wet floor damages the rubber pads by reducing friction. 
- The cradle skids a lot as you swing baby weighing above 8 kgs. Solution: I put the cradle on yoga mat and put weights on the mat to avoid slippage. 
- Although it does not have sharp edges, but parents be very careful while setting up the swing especially in unfolding the side frames. My wife happened to lock her right hand's index finger inside it. 

Issue faced: 

In my second swing, the rubber pads lost friction. As a result, the swing would just skid on the floor while moving the canopy back and forth. So i asked the seller to replace the pads and they responded by sending new rubber pads for both the swings. This exchange was free as the product was under warranty.

Final Word:

Overall it's an awesome product and a life saver for parents. This can be used for a newborn baby until he / she exceeds the weight / height limit. I have been using it for 7 months now without any issues. This multipro swing is the reason my babies are able to sleep peacefully with a smile on their face.

Recommendation:

Value for Money. An excellent product from Multipro. A must buy for every new parent.

Rating : 5/5 

Alerts:

You can setup price alert for this product. Once their is a drop in price, an email is triggered intimating you to buy the product at your preferred (discounted) price.

See how to setup price alert here.

If you want to buy products from Amazon, Firstcry or Snapdeal at discounted price, use honey chrome store app.

How to use HONEY app to avail discounts.

Checkout other Articles:

Go cashless using PayTM

Baby Wet Wipes - Product Review

Colic Issues - Home Remedies

How to clean feeding bottles

Philips 3-in-1 steam sterilizer - Product Review

Comparison between Philips Avent and Dr. Browns bottles