The art of smart online ordering- A guide for school hostel students

In the modern world of technology, ordering something online has become a lifeline for hostel students. The digital marketplace has become our “go-to friend” for late-night snack cravings, essential toiletries, stationery items and even urgent print-outs! However, the ease with which we can order anything with the click of a button, must also ring with it, a bell of caution. The quick click of that button involves spending money. And prudent use of money is something that a hostel student should always be particular about.

Let me share some tips that may come handy for hostel students, when making online orders.

1. Always shop from verified sources. In the digital world, it can sometimes get difficult to differentiate fake from genuine as anyone can create glossy websites! Before making any purchase, we must always check whether the site and the products it is selling, are real. Any site selling products on unbelievably low prices or brands no one has ever heard of, must raise your alarm bells.

2. Be doubly cautious while making payments on gateways. Always pay through secure gateways and never store information like passwords. Credit card numbers on electronic devices that do not belong to you. These days some people are also using virtual cards to create an extra layer of protection while paying money online.

3. Pause and think twice before adding something to the cart. As a hostel student, we must learn the art of financial discipline. We must avoid falling into the trap of unnecessary expenditure. It is good to set a monthly or weekly target of spending only a fixed amount. Thereafter, we must religiously stick to that limit when adding things to our online cart. Remember, just because we don’t have to push the cart around physically, doesn’t mean it is not getting heavy!

4. Always compare prices being offered on different sites before making the final choice. We must ensure that we check all possible options available for the product by scouting on various sites. Some sites might have special discount options for students or seasonal sales. We must not let go of any opportunity to save ourselves some extra money!

5. Choose delivery options carefully and track the delivery diligently. In hostels, it may sometimes become difficult to track an item if delivery instructions made are not specific. Always be careful when mentioning the address and give a landmark. Ensure that the guard or person at the hostel entry gate knows that your order is expected to be delivered on a particular day and time.

I hope the above tips help you become a more mindful shopper. Online shopping is a great blessing for our generation of students and it becomes imperative for us to handle this with care. The true value of a gift or an opportunity lies in its handling.