University: Making Bill Sharing Easier with Payfriendz

Settling up bills payments, even if just a meal out, can be painful. I’ve been there before, a friend forgetting to pay me back and me feeling awkward and more than a little mean chasing it up.

Payfriendz is a new app that (slightly annoying name aside) takes out some of the pain of sharing bills. It allows you to both send and request transfers as long as you have your ‘friendz’ mobile number, and they need to be registered on the app too.

The transferring is more social than a standard bank app, and slightly easier to use (my own bank limits saved people on the app to five, which makes it remarkably difficult with rent, housemates, boyfriends etc). You use it a little like Whatsapp, asking for specific money and specifying why you’re sending money. It even lets you use smilies if that’s your thing.

I’ve always been slightly wary of paying using phone numbers, but this is more secure – you load up your account with ‘credit’ and then pay using that. There’s limitation to the damage should it go wrong!

I’ve been trialing it out whilst sorting out holiday bits and pieces with W (just over a month to go!) and we’ve found it really useful. What’s even more ‘exciting’ is that it can also deal with cross-currency transfers, a feature that attracts a small fee (using the app is free in just one currency). You can tell I work in a remotely ‘financial’ job, yes?

I think this is a fab app, and a great idea. I admit the idea of paying via mobile number doesn’t sit fully right with me, though I like that it’s not just opening up your entire bank account. And being password protected makes me feel a whole lot better about this version.

*Sponsored post with Payfriendz

What do you think about mobile payment apps? Do you think this would make your life easier?