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Overview
5 Tactics to Pay 'Buy Now, Pay Later' Debt
When you’re feeling the financial squeeze of those pay-in-four buy now, pay later plans — and possibly other debts — it’s important to create a plan to pay down balances.
Here are a few options to consider as you strategize your way out of debt.
- Update your budget
Review your budget and trim unnecessary expenses or find less costly alternatives. - Change your payment date
Some lenders allow you to change the payment due date or request an extension. Lender policies may differ, so read the plan’s terms or ask the lender about your options. - Communicate with lenders about hardships
If a financial setback or emergency keeps you from making payments, the buy now, pay later lender may offer some relief. - Consider a balance transfer credit card
Balance transfer credit cards are designed to help you save on interest charges for a designated time frame, so they might not make sense for certain buy now, pay later plans that don’t charge interest to begin with. Consider transferring any high-rate credit card balances to a credit card with a low-fixed rate and no balance transfer fee. You’ll save money on interest payments and use that money to pay off buy now, pay later. - Weigh the pros and cons of a Personal Loan
A personal loan can consolidate multiple debts into a fixed monthly payment with a low interest rate over a designated period. If your buy now, pay later plan doesn’t charge interest or fees, paying it off with a personal loan may not be ideal. But it might be worth using the loan to consolidate other debts — if that can free up money to pay off buy now, pay later plan.
- Update your budget