Why EMIs are so easy to lose track of
One EMI is simple. Three are not. A phone on one card, a laptop on another, a big statement you converted last month — each has its own instalment, its own start date and its own end month. The bank shows them inside statements, mixed with everything else, and none of it tells you the one thing you actually want to know: when does my cash free up?
What to record for every EMI
| Detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Purchase amount (principal) | The real price, before interest. |
| Annual rate, flat or reducing | Decides how much interest you pay overall. |
| Tenure in months | Longer means a smaller instalment but a bigger total. |
| Processing fee and VAT | A one-time charge that's easy to forget. |
| First due date | Tells you the exact month it ends. |
| Which card | EMIs reduce that card's available limit. |
With those six details you can always answer: how much is left, what it cost in total and when it's done. For example, a ৳60,000 phone at 17% over 36 months is ৳2,139 a month, but ৳17,700 in total extra cost. Our guide to the hidden costs of credit-card EMIs walks through the maths.
Notebook, spreadsheet or app?
- Notebook: private and simple, but no totals, no reminders and easy to lose.
- Spreadsheet: flexible, but you need the EMI formula right, and it rarely sits next to your other spending.
- An app that links your card: automatic, but it needs your banking login or access — a big ask. See why manual entry is safer.
- A manual planner like Rabit Ledger: you type each EMI once, and it does the maths, counts instalments and shows the end month, next to your cash, bKash and bank.
Set up EMI tracking in Rabit Ledger in 5 minutes
- Add your card. Enter its credit limit, statement day and due day. No card number needed.
- Add the EMI plan. Add it straight on the card (principal, interest %, tenure, start date, one-time processing fee), or log the purchase as a card transaction first.
- Or convert a purchase to EMI. Pick a card transaction and enter the rate, tenure, fee and first due date. You'll see the monthly EMI, total payable, total interest and the month it finishes before you save.
- Watch it count down. Each plan shows instalments paid vs remaining, and the forecast shows when your cash frees up.
Laptop EMI
FAQ
Do I need to link my credit card to track EMIs?
No. In Rabit Ledger you type the purchase amount, rate, tenure and fee from your statement or EMI letter. We never ask for your card number, CVV, PIN or OTP.
Can I track EMIs on more than one card?
Yes. Add each card, then convert purchases to EMI plans on the right card. Each plan shows its own instalments, total cost and end month.
Is EMI tracking free?
Credit-card and EMI tracking is part of Rabit Ledger Pro. Accounts, transactions, budgets and goals are free.