I've heard this so many times, from patients at the beauty salon and all across social media threads.

We love to shop. We want to go to Coachella, but we can't afford it. Then that little

buy now pay later button shows up at checkout, and it feels like a magical treat yourself pass from

the universe. But here's the thing. Buy Now Pay Later or BNPL isn't magic, it's psychology.

And if we're not careful, it can be a fast track to financial stress, shame, and a lot of

what was I thinking moments.

Let's unpack why these systems are so seductive and how they hook people, especially those who've

been through economic or emotional trauma. Welcome back to savvy psychologist. I'm your host,

Dr. Monica Johnson. Every week on this show, I'll help you face life challenges with evidence-based

approaches, a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment.

Buy now pay later services like Afterpay, Klarna, Affirm, and Sezzle are everywhere.

They're marketed as smarter alternatives to credit cards. Interest free, at least up front,

easy to use, and designed to help you, quote-unquote, budget better.

But behind the cute little branding is a billion-dollar industry that knows exactly how your brain works.

By 2023, one and three Americans had used a BMPL service, and usage was highest among millennials and Gen Z.

Their top categories were clothing, electronics, and beauty.

You know, the stuff that we can emotionally justify in 0.2 seconds.

Unlike traditional credit, BNPL often doesn't require a credit check, making it accessible,

but also riskier. Now, before you blow up my comments, I want to be clear that I understand

the impacts of inflation, financial binds, etc. There are people who are using these services for groceries

or other necessities. That's a totally different conversation. I'm looking at the person who just

did their 23rd shopping hall for the year, who just turned their DoorDash order into four

...