Today, Explained Burrito now, pay later
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Jun 25, 2025 
Guests Akilah Kino, a journalist at the Financial Times, and Kyla Scanlon, an economic author and content creator, dive into the growing trend of 'buy now, pay later' services. They discuss how these apps influence consumer behavior, particularly among younger generations, and the risks of accumulating debt for everyday purchases. The conversation highlights financial wisdom challenges and raises alarms about the implications of this trend in an unstable economic landscape, revealing how debt is seen as a necessity now.
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How BNPL Works
- Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) lets consumers split purchases into interest-free installments.
- BNPL profits mostly from merchant fees and late payment penalties, not direct interest charges.
Avoid Using BNPL for Food
- Avoid financing small daily expenses like DoorDash meals with BNPL.
- Such use encourages bad financial habits and unnecessary spending.
BNPL's Rising Popularity
- BNPL is rapidly growing, especially among young people, due to its simplicity.
- It is expanding to cover a wide range of purchases, including groceries and fast food.