As people in the United States struggle with rising costs, they are increasingly turning to “buy now, pay later” loans for essentials such as rent and groceries.
Stacey Cowley, a business reporter for The New York Times, explains the draw and the hidden risks of the loan model.
Guest: Stacy Cowley, a business reporter at The New York Times, with a focus on consumer finance.
Background reading:
- “Buy now, pay later” lenders have pitched loans for needs like electricity and rent.
- They got to live a life of luxury. Then came the fine print.
Photo: Amir Hamja for The New York Times
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
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Continue/Read Original Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/17/business/buy-now-pay-later.html
Continue Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6GoDTKlx9cZcjea7JPZoL6?si=06d990af2ea74db5
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