Why Paying Cash for an iPhone Might Be the Dumbest Smart Purchase You’ll Ever Make?!
Buying the new iPhone 17 Pro Max (Orange) at RM 5,999 feels like a statement — power, prestige, and performance in your palm. But before you swipe your card, there’s a smarter question to ask: should you pay cash or use a 0% installment plan (EPP)? On the surface, both cost the same. In reality, the way you pay can decide whether your money grows or just disappears.
Imagine you have RM 5,999 in your bank account. If you pay cash, the money leaves your account instantly. But if your company or bank offers a 3-year 0% EPP, you only pay RM 166.64 per month for 36 months. That means you can keep your RM 5,999 invested for the next three years — slowly withdrawing it to cover each installment — and earn returns from it in the meantime.
In Malaysia, platforms like Touch ’n Go GO+, Ryt Bank, and Versa allow you to earn daily interest while keeping your money fully liquid (you can withdraw anytime). For example, GO+ and Versa currently average around 3.4 – 3.8 % p.a., while Ryt Bank promotes daily-accruing interest of up to 4.0 % p.a. These platforms act like modern-day savings accounts that pay you a little every day — the perfect place to park your EPP cash buffer.
Let’s see what happens if you actually do that:
| Option | Payment Method | Platform Used | Average Balance | Estimated Annual Return | Total Return (3 Years) | Effective iPhone Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash Payment | RM 5,999 upfront | None | RM 0 | – | RM 0 | RM 5,999 |
| EPP (3 Years 0%) | RM 166.64 × 36 months | GO+ / Ryt Bank / Versa | RM 3,000 (avg) | 3.4 – 4.0 % | RM 306 – RM 360 | ≈ RM 5,639 – RM 5,693 |
So by using the EPP and parking your money in one of these daily-interest, high-liquidity platforms, you effectively save RM 300 – RM 360 compared to paying cash. It’s not life-changing, but it’s literally free money earned by being financially strategic — your money keeps growing every single day while you still get to enjoy your brand-new iPhone.
Of course, this only works if the EPP is truly 0 % interest and has no hidden fees or penalties (especially if you resign or change employers). And you must stay disciplined — the trick only works if you actually keep your money invested instead of spending it on other things.
In short: if your EPP has no fees and you’re smart about where you park your cash — in flexible, daily-interest platforms like GO+, Ryt Bank, or Versa — you get the best of both worlds: a shiny new iPhone and extra earnings every day. But if you prefer simplicity and don’t want to think about tracking investments, paying cash upfront is perfectly fine too. The key is simple — let your money work for you, even when you’re spending it.
Important: The information and opinions in this article are for general information purposes only. They should not be relied on as professional financial advice. Readers should seek independent financial advice that is customised to their specific financial objectives, situations & needs.
Published By:
Terrence Teh – Associate Consultant | Personal Finance & Cross-Border Planning (Malaysia–Australia)
I grew up watching my mother build her life around helping others.
She’s an insurance agent — the kind who still brings her clients fruits during Chinese New Year and patiently explains every policy line by line, even to those who can’t read well. Many of her clients are elderly, some are from rural areas, and most simply trust her because she truly cares.
As a child, I didn’t fully understand it. But as I grew older, I realised what she was doing was more than selling insurance — she was giving people peace of mind. And that made me proud.
But I also saw how tiring it was. The long hours, the paperwork, the emotional burden of being there for clients through illness and loss — it was hard. I began to wonder if there was a better way to serve people — one that still carries empathy, but with a structure that’s transparent, sustainable, and educational.
That’s how I found my path as a fee-based financial advisor.
Working with Australian financial planners opened my eyes to a new model — one built on trust, clarity, and professional advice that isn’t tied to product commissions. I learned to write detailed Statements of Advice (SoAs), balancing clients’ goals with cash flow, investments, insurance, and estate plans. Most importantly, I learned what it means to put clients’ interests truly first.
Today, I carry both worlds with me —
✨ My mother’s heart for people.
✨ The professionalism I learned from the Australian system.
Under FA Advisory, I now focus on helping Malaysian families make confident, informed financial decisions through:
Tax Planning – finding smarter, legal ways to reduce tax burdens
Insurance Needs Analysis – ensuring the right protection, not just the most expensive one
Retirement & Investment Planning – helping young professionals and families grow wealth with purpose
Estate Planning – preserving legacy and protecting loved ones
For me, financial planning isn’t just about money.
It’s about helping people feel secure, hopeful, and free to live their lives without fear of the future.
That’s the kind of advisor I strive to be — one who leads with empathy, guided by experience, and grounded in trust.
