trend Add to Anxiety: Buy Now, Pay Later Fuelling Credit Card Debt Fears

The allure of buy now, pay later payment plans has become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more shoppers taking advantage of this type of financing. And while it’s an appealing option, one of the seeming driving forces behind its popularity appears to be fear. Fear of credit card debt. To understand why, one must first understand the nature of credit cards. Credit cards are extremely convenient and allow consumers to purchase items instantly with no other form of financing. Unfortunately, they can also quickly lead to excessive balances and high interest rates, which can spiral out of control and land a person in serious debt. This is why the appeal of buy now, pay later services is so strong. It eliminates the risk of spiraling credit card debt, by allowing shoppers to make installment payments on their purchases. The idea is that rather than go into debt, consumers can simply spread out their payments over a few months and pay them off gradually. The benefits of this type of financing are obvious. For starters, it allows shoppers to still enjoy instant gratification while avoiding credit card debt. Additionally, the rates charged on installment payments can often be lower than what a person would pay in interest on a credit card. Finally, with the option of plenty of payment plans (such as Klarna, Afterpay, Sezzle, etc.), shoppers can find the one that works best for their budget and lifestyle. However, there is an important caveat to remember with buy now, pay later payment plans. That is, while they can be a helpful and valuable option, shoppers should still use them responsibly. For example, having too many installment plans can be damaging to one’s credit score. Additionally, shoppers need to make sure they can responsibly pay off their installment plans on time, as late payments can result in penalties and extra fees. In conclusion, the fear of credit card debt is an understandable part of the buy now, pay later appeal. But as with all financial services, shoppers should use them responsibly. That way, they can enjoy the benefits of instant gratification without running the risk of getting into unmanageable debt.