"When you think of financing a purchase, you probably imagine something big, like a house or a car. But these days, people are financing everything from concert tickets and vacations to clothing hauls and skincare products. In fact, nearly 60 percent of Coachella-goers used a buy now, pay later (BNPL) program to fund their desert weekend in April, according to a report published by Billboard. The appeal is clear—enjoy the experience now, pay for it later in smaller chunks. But have we taken it too far?
What started as a practical budgeting tool is beginning to blur into something more questionable. Think about it: Is it truly responsible to finance a $500 concert ticket or a $150 sweater from Revolve? And if so, where do we draw the line between smart financial planning and setting ourselves up for unnecessary stress in the future?
To answer those questions, we’re unpacking the rise of buy now, pay later culture—from how it took off to the current debate around its use—and exploring when it can be a helpful tool that allows you to live your life versus when it does more harm than good.
Buy Now, Pay Later programs fill a gap for consumers
Buy now, pay later (BNPL) programs aren’t exactly new, but their popularity surged as inflation climbed and everyday essentials got more expensive. Services like Klarna, Afterpay, and Affirm fill the gap for consumers looking for flexible payment options, making it easy to delay the financial impact of a purchase with just a few clicks. Without the need for a credit check, these services provide instant gratification for frenzied shoppers and a sense of relief for those who don’t have the money they need all at once.
However, what was originally seen as a flexible way to manage bigger purchases has now crept into nearly every corner of consumer life—and often, where it’s not exactly necessary. Case in point: You can buy a $32 lip gloss and break it up into four payments of $8. These programs give the illusion that you’re spending less than you are, which can be addicting, given how expensive it’s getting to just exist. But we have to hand it to them—BNPL programs give consumers the option to experience things that seem out of reach, which is why they keep coming back.
Using BNPL can be justified and irresponsible
Some argue that using BNPL for non-essentials, like concerts, vacations, and fast fashion, is a risky financial habit, essentially turning your wants into monthly bills without fully thinking it through. Others see it differently: If wages haven’t kept pace with the cost of living and everyday expenses keep climbing, flexible payment options can feel like the only way to enjoy life without falling behind. When a dinner out with friends costs the same as a week’s worth of groceries, the ability to spread payments over time feels like the only way to say yes to both.
The convenience fuels the temptation for many during significant economic shifts, while millennials and Gen-Zers are juggling financial responsibilities like student loans, rising living costs, and growing expectations around their lifestyles and careers. BNPL services offer a sense of flexibility—“I can have this and still stay on track”—and a way to access things that might otherwise feel financially impossible. And in many cases, it’s not even about splurging; it’s about surviving. For some, BNPL makes it possible to buy groceries before a paycheck hits or cover a bill in a tight week.
“Buy now, pay later programs have become a financial lifeline in an economy where prices are rising faster than paychecks.”
In a way, BNPL has become the financial equivalent of “girl math”—the logic that justifies everything from free returns as “free money” to “it doesn’t count if you use a gift card.” When breaking a purchase into smaller payments makes it feel less real, it’s easier to convince yourself it’s affordable even when it’s not. This is why critics warn that it can quickly turn into a slippery slope. When your online shopping cart, your plane ticket, and your DoorDash order are all broken into monthly payments, it’s easy to lose track of how much you actually owe and even easier to get stuck in a cycle of paying off last month’s purchases with this month’s income. Not to mention, even though these services are marketed as interest-free, that only applies if you pay on time. If you miss a payment, you pay for it.
When is it OK to use Buy Now, Pay Later?
Buy now, pay later isn’t inherently a bad thing, but it can start to backfire when it’s used to fund a lifestyle that’s out of reach. If you’re considering financing, try to remain intentional instead of impulsive, read the fine print, and consider these differentiators:
When it’s OK to use BNPL:
- If the plan is truly interest-free and you have a plan to pay it off on time.
- If you’ve already set aside money or know exactly how you’ll cover the upcoming payment.
- If you’re only using BNPL occasionally and you’re not juggling multiple payment plans at a time.
When it’s not OK:
- If you’re tempted to click “Pay in 4” to soften the blow of something you wouldn’t otherwise buy.
- If you’re using BNPL for multiple purchases and losing track of how much you owe and when.
- If you’re using financing to maintain a lifestyle your current income can’t support, in the hopes that future-you will “figure it out.”
A good rule of thumb is that if you wouldn’t feel comfortable charging the full price of the item to your debit card today, it’s worth taking a pause. Ask yourself: Do I really need this or just want it right now? Will I still be glad I bought it next month? Is this worth cutting into my budget for something else? Another helpful test: Does the purchase offer long-term value, or is it just a fleeting dopamine boost?
How to use Buy Now, Pay Later with intention
Buy now, pay later programs have become a financial lifeline in an economy where prices are rising faster than paychecks. Whether it’s booking a dream vacation, replacing essentials, or just trying to keep up with birthdays and bills, splitting payments can feel like the only way to stay afloat and still have a life.
But just because you can break a purchase into four payments doesn’t always mean you should. It’s easy to blur the line between flexibility and overextension, especially when BNPL makes everything feel more affordable than it really is. The key is approaching it with intention—being honest with yourself, not just about the price tag, but about your spending habits, your budget, and your long-term financial goals.
Is it something that truly matters to you? Can you still meet your other obligations while paying it off? Would you feel just as good about the purchase if you had to pay for it all at once? Asking these kinds of questions in the moment can help you turn a convenient tool into a conscious choice. So go ahead—enjoy yourself and live your life. Just make sure future-you isn’t stuck covering for past-you’s impulse buys.
Leanna Julius, Contributing Writer
Leanna is a long-time reader turned contributing writer for The Everygirl. She specializes in wellness and lifestyle content and strives to help others be their happiest and healthiest by sharing sustainable and simple life-approved tips and tricks.
Feature graphic images credited to: Mafer Esquetine | Dupe, Kayla Masters | Dupe, Laila Tachera | Dupe, Benjamin Farren | Pexels,