Sorted header abstract pattern
Sort my 6 Steps Tools Guides Blog Moreabout Sorted
Search Icon search small

back iconBack

Sort my...
A man and woman are walking together outdoors and looking happy

back iconBack

Start here

6 steps to get your money Sorted
6 steps to get your money Sorted

back iconBack

All tools

Tools

back iconBack

6 steps to getting your money sorted
Video

All videos

View all

back iconBack

View all

back iconBack

More Sorted Info

Blogs
View all

Money tips

Top tips for shopping online with buy now pay later

4 October 2023
Reading time: 2 minutes


Posted by Tom Hartmann , 3 Comments

If you’re a fan of Buy Now, Pay Later options like Afterpay or Zip, they can be helpful in getting the goods sent straight away and then spreading out the repayments. They can be extremely useful, but you can do some serious damage moneywise if you don’t know your way around them.

Think of this way of borrowing as a tool, like your favourite kitchen mixer or cordless drill – make sure they work for you (and not the other way around). Here are the key things to keep in mind:

One at a time, please

BNPL deals are hard to juggle, and the more you take on, the trickier they get. If at all possible, try to take out only one at a time.

Big ticket items are better

Because the key advantage to BNPL is spreading out repayments, they’re best used to buy larger ticket items. Don’t sweat the small stuff: just save and pay for them outright to get them out of the way.

You will be upsold

Steer clear of any ads or teaser deals aimed at upselling you because you’re using BNPL. They will try! And while in the moment it feels like you’re just paying just $25 each for three items on the day, instead you are on the hook for $300 all up in the weeks to come. The key is to tally up the total cost you’ll be paying. Don’t over-commit.

Be ready for repayments

Make sure you have enough funds in your account when repayments are due so you don’t get charged late fees. That’s the catch here: those penalties can soar as high as 25% (making that $1,000 flatscreen end up costing $1,250), and hit your credit score, too. Remember, these deals need to work for you.

Blink and you’ll miss them

Repayments due on different weeks at different times can be a recipe for headache if you’re not organised. If you absolutely must take out more than one of these, list all your repayments and set a reminder in your phone when each one is due. As long as your funds are ready to cover it on the day, you’ll be sweet.

So if your plan is to use pay-later options, there are smart ways to get the most out of this way of borrowing.

How to shop safely online
video thumbnail
Watch Video

How to shop safely online

Comments (3)

Comments

  • Gravatar for Lorraine

    11 October 23
    Lorraine

    I use Afterpay for bigger $$ items, and each payday I log in to my account and pay all payments due before my next pay.

  • Gravatar for Harry

    4 November 20
    Harry

    yes

  • Gravatar for CB

    9 May 20
    CB

    Great advice. I stick to that - only one item to pay off at a time. I try to finish them weeks earlier than they're due too. Just makes me feel better. Looking forward to my current laybuy purchase arriving - a coffee machine. Missed having barista bought coffee over lockdown, but not being able to buy it made me see I'd rather make good coffee at home and keep more of my money.

RSS feed for comments on this page | RSS feed for all comments

Tags
Money tips Budgeting Christmas

Recent Comments

My Money Sorted: Ema
3 Comments

Five ways to shop smarter this Black Friday
1 Comment

My Money Sorted: Charlie
1 Comment

What’s with insurance in 2024? Five things to do when your premiums surge
1 Comment

My Money Sorted: Gordon
1 Comment

Guided by Matariki, it’s the perfect time to think ahead
1 Comment