Welcome Back, Future Funder!
Those slick “Buy Now, Pay Later” buttons at checkout feel harmless—almost helpful. Split $80 into four easy payments? Why not?
But here’s the thing: BNPL isn’t a budgeting tool. It’s a debt trap in disguise.
One that’s about to start affecting your credit score, and more importantly—your ability to build real wealth.
This week, we’re digging into:
✅ What BNPL apps are actually doing to your finances
✅ The bigger mindset shift behind avoiding debt—even small debt
✅ How to protect your credit score and your future
Let’s talk long-term thinking and short-term temptation.
Bon a petit! 🧑🍳
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🍽️ Main Course: Debt Disguised as Convenience
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) exploded from $2B in 2013 to over $340B globally in 2023, according to Worldpay.
That’s not budgeting—that’s a debt boom.
🤔 What is BNPL really doing?
It’s not free. Even with 0% offers, you’re still on the hook for payments—and late fees can add up fast.
Credit bureaus are about to start factoring BNPL into your score—not all credit bureaus, but some like FICO.
It normalizes spending money you don’t have.
Just because it feels casual doesn’t mean it’s not debt. And by the end of this newsletter, you’ll see how BNPL payments can really delay your progress elsewhere.
💳 A BNPL charge is still a loan
Let’s break it down:
🧾 You’ve taken on debt
Even four payments of $25? Still a loan. Still a risk.
📉 You’re spending tomorrow’s money today
“Just $10 this week” becomes $200 in surprise autopayments next month.
😬 It could impact your credit score
Some agencies now treat BNPL like a revolving loan. Miss a payment or stack up too many, and it dings your profile.
💥 It delays what matters most
Every $40 BNPL charge is $40 not going into savings, an emergency fund, or investments.
The main point: BNPL shifts your money away from the things that actually build wealth—and you barely notice it happening.
🚨 The bigger problem: instant gratification kills long-term wealth
This is where it gets deeper.
You cannot build wealth if you’re unwilling to delay gratification.
That’s the real issue here. BNPL teaches you to feed every impulse—and then deal with the consequences later.
Here’s the truth:
Buying with your own money builds strength.
Debt for non-essentials builds weakness.
Emergencies will come—BNPL won’t save you, but savings will.
Even if you’re paying off debt now, aim to set aside $1,000 in a mini emergency fund (just ask Dave Ramsey). That buffer protects you from slipping into debt again the next time life throws something your way.
Bottom line: BNPL isn’t just “bad because it’s debt.” It’s bad because it chips away at the mindset you need to become financially free.
💡 Smart swaps: what to do instead of clicking “Pay Later”
✅ Build a Mini Emergency Fund
Even $1,000 can break the BNPL cycle.
✅ Use a Sinking Fund
Want something big? Save up in advance and buy it with pride—not panic.
✅ Wait 48 hours before buying
Give your brain time to figure out if it’s actually worth it.
The main point: You don’t need to deprive yourself—you just need to plan your spending around your money, not someone else’s.
🌟 Bringing it home: Buy later—with cash
Let’s recap:
🧨 BNPL is still debt—even when it’s disguised as “4 easy payments.”
📉 It’s showing up in credit reports more and more.
⛔ It erodes your ability to delay gratification—the key to wealth.
💰 If you can’t buy it with your own money, you’re not ready to buy it.
Bottom line: Financial freedom starts when you stop spending money you don’t have.
Cheers to getting 1% better each week! 🥂
👂 We’d love to hear from you
What did you think of today's email?
Ever dodged a BNPL bullet or had a moment that changed how you think about debt?
Reply and share—we may feature your story (anonymously) in a future edition.
Thanks for reading,
—Your friends @ Future Funders 🍽️
P.S. Forward this to someone who’s currently paying off four pairs of sneakers at $12.50 a pop.