Is 'Buy Now, Pay Later' Worth It? A Brutally Honest Breakdown

Services like Afterpay, Klarna, and Affirm have made it easier than ever to divvy up a big purchase -- all to make you feel like you're spending less than you are.

But are they actually a smart way to buy?

"Buy now, pay later" (BNPL) usage has exploded in the last few years. An estimated 90 million Americans used a BNPL service in 2025, according to Empower.

Before you rely on BNPL, here's what you should know.

This post originally appeared at The Motley Fool.