3 reasons you might use Buy Now Pay Later for your Christmas shopping

As we head into October, the jolly road to Christmas is drawing into focus. And what goes hand in hand with the holidays? Gift shopping. 

Whether you get your Christmas shopping in early with sales like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, or you leave it to later on, now might be the time to sort out what payment method you’ll use. 

The key of course is making sure you don’t end up knee deep in Christmas debt, so planning early and setting a budget is always a good idea. 

With that in mind, one popular payment method to consider might be Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL). 

Mozo's 2021 Buy Now Pay Later Report found that over half of BNPL users are turning away from traditional banking options and 42% have been using BNPL for three or more years.

So the question is… why might you opt for BNPL this Christmas? We’ve broken it down into three key reasons:  

1. Budget your holiday spending

If you use Buy Now Pay Later responsibly, it can be a great tool for budgeting. 

How? Well, BNPL platforms split a single purchase up into a number of equal instalments paid weekly, fortnightly or monthly. This means you won’t have to front up the full cost of the item when you first buy it, allowing you to spread the cost of your Christmas spending.

Plus, because customers can usually manage repayments through their BNPL provider’s app, it makes it simpler to view upcoming repayments and keep track of purchased items. 

But Beware: It’s important to not fall into the overspending trap. Make sure you keep track of how many purchases you make and stay on top of your repayments to avoid late fees. Also note, missing BNPL repayments may leave a negative mark on your credit report. 

2. Interest free repayments 

Unlike a credit card, many BNPL platforms don't charge interest on purchases. Meaning customers can pay down a purchase over a matter of weeks or months without forking out interest repayments.  

Keep in mind though, you could be charged a monthly fee instead, which may only be worth it if you use the platform regularly. 

3. Potential discounts and offers 

Some BNPL platforms offer discounts and coupons with partner retailers. These types of offers may come in handy around the Christmas period as you could snag a bargain. 

These offers differ from platform to platform, so it may be worth checking out which BNPL provider is in partnership with retailers you intend to shop with, and if they offer a discount. 

Also don’t forget that some retailers don’t accept particular BNPL platforms, so do your research before signing up. 

Want to find out more about Buy Now Pay Later? Head to our Buy Now Pay Later hub for providers and more info! Or if you want to weigh up some interest-free credit card options instead, take a look at the table below!