Ramadan is just around the corner—so, what have you prepared? For Indonesians, Ramadan is a special time. It’s often filled with iftar gatherings and Eid al-Fitr celebrations, used to reconnect with family and friends.

But with all these get-togethers, it’s easy for monthly expenses to spike. Don’t worry though! One way to keep your spending in check during Ramadan is by using your credit card wisely. Here’s how to use your credit card effectively to manage your finances throughout the holy month:

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1. Use It for Purchases That Can’t Be Delayed

The first smart way to use your credit card during Ramadan is for essential purchases. This includes items whose prices tend to rise as the holidays approach, like plane tickets or hotel bookings.

Buying your flight or hotel in advance before the Eid holidays can help you get better deals. Plus, Honest credit cards offer promos for booking flights and hotels.

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2. Use It for Planned Expenses Before Your Holiday Bonus (THR) Arrives

Before your THR (holiday bonus) comes in, expenses for Ramadan and Eid prep usually start piling up—from groceries to new clothes, and gifts for family. Your credit card can be a great tool to keep these expenses organized.

Use your credit card for purchases you’ve already planned to avoid impulsive spending. Make sure these expenses are within your means to pay off once your THR arrives, so you don’t end up with unnecessary debt!

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3. Take Advantage of Promos and Discounts

Besides flights and hotels, credit card companies often team up with malls or online marketplaces to offer promos during Ramadan. You can use these shopping deals to buy new clothes, prayer garments, hampers, and other Ramadan essentials.

But don’t buy something just because it’s on sale. Plan your purchases carefully to avoid overspending with your credit card. After all, credit card debt still needs to be paid, and missing payments can hurt your credit score.

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4. Use Your Credit Card for Emergency Needs

Your credit card can also come in handy for unexpected expenses during Ramadan. For instance, if your motorbike breaks down and needs quick repairs, or if you suddenly feel unwell and need to buy medicine while traveling home for Eid.

With this, you don’t need to carry a lot of cash when visiting your parents. Honest credit cards and the Honest App can be used at over 90 million merchants across Indonesia. Just tap or swipe, and your payment is done.

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5. Use It as Business Capital

It’s no secret that Ramadan brings plenty of seasonal business opportunities. From street food stalls to booths selling Muslim clothing and prayer gear, the possibilities are endless. Don’t miss out! You can use your credit card as extra business capital.

For example, with a credit card loan, you could start a hampers business, offering special Ramadan and Eid packages. Or you could use the capital to launch a catering service providing iftar meals for mosques. The profits can be quite good—and you can even share some with family as holiday gifts!

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6. Track Your Spending with the App

One of the biggest challenges of using a credit card is the risk of overspending—especially when there are so many discounts. To manage this, keep a close eye on your Honest credit card expenses using the Honest App.

The Honest App comes with real-time notifications that alert you whenever a transaction is made. This way, you’ll instantly know if you’re spending too much. So, this Ramadan, you can stay on budget. Plus, this feature is super helpful for spotting any suspicious transactions.

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7. Pay It Off with Your THR

Your THR (holiday bonus) is a great way to pay off credit card bills or other debts. Using your THR to settle credit card bills before the due date not only saves you from admin fees but also helps you avoid interest charges.

Since August 2024, Honest credit cards have been offering an admin fee refund (monthly fee) for users who pay their bills in full and on time. So, if you use your Honest credit card for shopping this Ramadan, you can enjoy zero interest and admin fees as long as you pay off your bill in full with your holiday bonus (THR).

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So, got any plans for Ramadan yet? Use your credit card as a payment tool to make sure your Ramadan runs smoothly and efficiently!