Most of us get paper / printed statements from many sources (a.k.a hard copy ), like phone bill, credit card statement, bank statements etc. Many a times, these statements may not be necessary. In this post, I’m covering why these are harmful to the environment, and how can we be more environment friendly.
A typical detailed phone bill has between 2 to 5 pages, along with one envelope , and some brochures that we never read. This means, we’re generating a lot of paper statements, that promptly go back to the used paper vendor or get tossed into the trashcan, indirectly making more trees cut for the paper that we (don’t) use.
Can we opt out of Print / hard copies of statements?
Yes. Here are the options. Go ahead, try them, and share your thoughts.
- Most telephone companies support electronic statements, instead of sending you an electronic copy. I know Airtel does it, I hope BSNL also has an electronic format. You can easily switch to electronic format.
- Most banks support sending statements in electronic format.You can easily switch to electronic format from their online banking sites.
- Some banks don’t send you a credit card statement, if you didn’t have any transactions during a reporting period. Using one ( or very few ) credit cards can help this way.
The advantages?
Apart from the feeling that we are being eco-friendly by saying no to physical statements, you also get some additional benefits by going online.
- If you’re computer savvy, it’s much easier to review / record statements into your accounting software easily from a online format, compared to a print / hard copy format.
- It’s more secure not to have a print copy. You can’t afford to have your bank statements weighed and sold. Not many of us have a shredder at home
- You can always request for a print copy, when you need it.
- No statements could also mean, no one drives to your home in a fuel hungry vehicle to deliver a courier / statement.
If you would like to know how to opt out of some of the Indian private institutions, I have some experience :-), feel free to write to me.
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Quick note:
VenkatT had written short post about Do Not Call registry.
If you are in India, and suffer from these telemarketers calling you with all nice offers that you don’t want, register for DND immediately. it would take 45 days before they stop calling you ( hopefully ).
For Airtel just send SMS START DND to 121.
I’ve registered mine. did you?
No. This is not about flying on the East Coast Road (ECR). Some people do believe driving in ECR should be in top speed, where you don’t feel the grip of the road. ECR is the worst road for doing that anyway.
ECR, especially the stretch near Puducherry, and after Mahabs, has a beautiful view at night. The greenish yellow reflectors on the sides, and in the center reflect your headlight making the road look like how a Runway would look like, when a plane is landing.
Next time you get a chance, observe it. If you move at a speed between 50 to 70 kmph, the effect looks really good.
BTW, On the contrary, had some thoughts on driving at night on ECR
- To the extent possible driving through ECR at night should be avoided. With a narrow two lane road and too many curves, you may not be able to see the road when a vehicle comes on the opposite side, and doesn’t switch to a low beam.
- If you plan to go to (or beyond) Cuddalore via ECR, it might be wise to choose Thindivanam route. ECR has too many dangerous curves, and you can’t control how other people drive, even if you drive safe.
- Tambaram to Thindivanam route’s 4 lane also provides another advantage. It’s quite fuel friendly. As you don’t need to use breaks much and have a high visibility on the road, it improves overall fuel utilisation.
I have been planning to open an account with SBI, considering their network and growth. It happened last week 
After a long time,I walked into a bank for opening an account.
Having used other private bank services(more on this later) I’m quite used to online banking and rarely visit any bank branch. I did go there with low expectations and was prepared to be patient. As I went in , I noticed a small note on the door saying “Open an account now and receive a welcome kit in 15 minutes”.
I met the Asst. Manager who gave me an account opening form, with clear instructions on what you need to open an account. One of the needs was an introduction from another account holder.
Me: I have PAN card, DL for ID proof, and Electricity Board bill for address proof. However I don’t have a introduction / reference.
Asst.manager: Sorry sir, we need an introduction.
Me: I’m planning to deposit [quoted an amount > 50,000]
Asst.manager: After thinking for a minute, “You have two identity proofs. I can open an account for you without introduction”.
Me: Great.
Right after this I met the bank manager to understand the products they have. While I was with the manager, I was given the welcome kit that had a temporary cheque book, ATM card, ATM card pin, few pay-in slips. Another interesting anecdote happened then.
Manager, to an Assistant: Why are people lined up there?
Assistant: They have a deposit to make.
Manager: Radha ( a cashier ) can handle it.
as the Assistant prepares to leave
Manager: What’s the amount?
Assistant: Rs. 5 Lakhs
Manager: mm… Radha should be busy. Ask them to come in.
I converted an uncontrollable laugh into a smile
BTW, SBI ATM machines are quite nice.
Overall, I came out of the bank with a smile. It took me 45 minutes for the complete process though.
Summary:
- SBI was much better experience compared to other nationalized banks I had been to.
- I do not understand the need for an “Introduction” in today’s world. Banks might be willing to relax that rule, if you intend to deposit some cash. ( Let me know what you think )
- If you have a passport copy, it could help in opening account without an introduction.
- If you deposit big amounts, you get much better treatment ( obviously )
I have a SBI ( State Bank of India ) credit card that I don’t use much. Since I got the card, I used to receive statements every month on time, until I made a transaction. The month I made a transaction, I didn’t receive the statement.
While I remembered that I had a transaction in SBI card that I have to pay, I didn’t remember the amount. After few days, forgot the whole thing.
Last month I received a statement from SBI asking me to pay late payment charges for that transaction.
I called-up their customer care . It went on like this.
Vijay: blah… blah..
Sweet voice customer care officer: Let me check sir. blah.. blah… Sorry sir, the statement was not generated last month, it was our mistake. I’m reverting the finance charges. It is enough if you pay Rs. 589 , instead of Rs. 1005 (Yes!!! that’s Rs. 416 charges on Rs. 589)
Vijay: Great. thanks.
The “Sweet voice customer care officer” took me by surprise, by being open about them not generating a statement in the first place, and by accepting that it was their mistake.
Moral of the story:
- Do not forget credit card transactions ( it’s better to keep the counterfoil or a copy of the bill )
- Do not pay late payment / finance charges, unless you really owe them
- Always ask. The finance charges are typically quite high, and the banks often cancel them, if you can pay them back.
- At least one person on earth had a pleasant experience with customer care.
- Credit card statements may not come, However late fee /finance charges will certainly come
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