It’s Time to Learn About Buy Now, Pay Later

It’s Time to Learn About Buy Now, Pay Later

11/22/2023 | Savings & Budgeting

 

Instant Gratification?

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) is a type of credit offered by many retailers through financial tech platforms like Affirm, Afterpay and PayPal, as well as some credit card companies. BNPL allows consumers to buy items and pay for them in installments, often without interest, rather than up front and in full at the time of purchase. BNPL services are becoming increasingly popular, as they offer a convenient and affordable way to buy more expensive items.

 

There are a variety of pros and cons to consider when utilizing BNPL credit:

 

Buy Now Pay Later Benefits and Risks Graph

 

Overall, BNPL credit can be a convenient and affordable way to buy expensive and necessary items. However, it's important to be aware of the risks involved before using BNPL credit. 

 

With the pros and cons in mind, here are some tips for using BNPL credit responsibly:

 

Budgets – create a budget and stick to it. Before you start using BNPL credit, decide how much money you can afford to spend on BNPL payments each month and avoid spending beyond that. For more budgeting tips, check out all of our resources on Saving & Budgeting and our easy to use Calculators for both tactics.

 

Avoiding fees - with BNPL, it is immensely important to remember to make your payments on time. Make sure to set up reminders so that you avoid any late fees from a missed payment. Fees can add up quickly and easily negate the benefits of using BNPL.

 

Payment schedule – with BNPL it is important to remember that while flexible, BNPL typically operates on a very different schedule that credit card payments. BNPL can require payments on a bi-weekly basis, so keep in mind that you will likely be making a payment more frequently than you would your typical credit card payment.    

 

BNPL is just one form of credit. The more you know about credit, the better equipped you will be to use it wisely.

 

For more on the basics of credit, check out our Credit Overview or speak directly to a United Bank representative today.  Contact us.


 
This material is for informational purposes only. United Bank is not affiliated with any Buy Now Pay Later service.  For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a qualified professional. United Bank does not provide, endorse nor guarantee any unaffiliated third-party product, service, information, educational tool or recommendation available through links from this website. The third parties providing products and services available through this website are solely responsible for their products, services, information, recommendations and all other content on their websites.
Sources:
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-study-details-the-rapid-growth-of-buy-now-pay-later-lending/
https://money.com/buy-now-pay-later-benefits-risks/

 

Instant Gratification?

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) is a type of credit offered by many retailers through financial tech platforms like Affirm, Afterpay and PayPal, as well as some credit card companies. BNPL allows consumers to buy items and pay for them in installments, often without interest, rather than up front and in full at the time of purchase. BNPL services are becoming increasingly popular, as they offer a convenient and affordable way to buy more expensive items.

 

There are a variety of pros and cons to consider when utilizing BNPL credit:

 

Buy Now Pay Later Benefits and Risks Graph

 

Overall, BNPL credit can be a convenient and affordable way to buy expensive and necessary items. However, it's important to be aware of the risks involved before using BNPL credit. 

 

With the pros and cons in mind, here are some tips for using BNPL credit responsibly:

 

Budgets – create a budget and stick to it. Before you start using BNPL credit, decide how much money you can afford to spend on BNPL payments each month and avoid spending beyond that. For more budgeting tips, check out all of our resources on Saving & Budgeting and our easy to use Calculators for both tactics.

 

Avoiding fees - with BNPL, it is immensely important to remember to make your payments on time. Make sure to set up reminders so that you avoid any late fees from a missed payment. Fees can add up quickly and easily negate the benefits of using BNPL.

 

Payment schedule – with BNPL it is important to remember that while flexible, BNPL typically operates on a very different schedule that credit card payments. BNPL can require payments on a bi-weekly basis, so keep in mind that you will likely be making a payment more frequently than you would your typical credit card payment.    

 

BNPL is just one form of credit. The more you know about credit, the better equipped you will be to use it wisely.

 

For more on the basics of credit, check out our Credit Overview or speak directly to a United Bank representative today.  Contact us.


 
This material is for informational purposes only. United Bank is not affiliated with any Buy Now Pay Later service.  For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a qualified professional. United Bank does not provide, endorse nor guarantee any unaffiliated third-party product, service, information, educational tool or recommendation available through links from this website. The third parties providing products and services available through this website are solely responsible for their products, services, information, recommendations and all other content on their websites.
Sources:
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-study-details-the-rapid-growth-of-buy-now-pay-later-lending/
https://money.com/buy-now-pay-later-benefits-risks/

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