More Aussies turn to Buy Now, Pay Later during pandemic, says Openpay
In July, Mozo conducted research into how the spending habits of Aussies had changed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
We found that 25% of Aussies have undergone a financial ‘wake up call’ and are now taking steps to abolish debt, while 39% said they would be spending less money on non-essential things, like eating out.
And according to new research from Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platform Openpay it looks like that money savvy mindset has set in.
Openpay found that 70% of Aussies are spending more consciously than they were before COVID-19. More than half (60%) of Sydneysiders and Melbournians have even limited themselves to ‘essential spending’ only.
Some of the purchases Aussies are choosing to delay include, upgrading or replacing furniture and home renovations and improvements.
Buy Now, Pay Later usage soars during pandemic
Although many Aussies are tightening their budgets, almost a quarter of people in Sydney and Melbourne have opened a BNPL account to manage their spending - 31% of respondents have at least one BNPL account, while a third revealed they had more than one.
“With the recent impact on personal finances due to COVID-19, frivolous spending is a thing of the past. Despite this, essential items still need to be paid for,” said chief marketing officer global, Openpay, Georgina Whalley.
Those in Melbourne appear to be the most financially vulnerable, which could be a result of the current lockdown restrictions, with 45% saying they use their BNPL account at least once a week, compared to those in Sydney (34%) and Brisbane (22%).
In terms of what Aussies are choosing to use their BNPL account for, 60% said their spending has been on healthcare for either themselves, their children or pets.
“Given that Australians are even worried about spending when it comes to their teeth, with 22% of those surveyed saying they have put off spending on essential dental work due to economic difficulty or fear, BNPL is a means of ensuring our health isn’t left to suffer,” said Whalley.
Returning to pre-COVID spending could take a while
While there’s no telling when the COVID-19 pandemic will end, it could still take some time for many Aussies to feel comfortable spending again.
Overpay found that one in three respondents will be back to their regular spending habits within the next six months, another third said it would take six to twelve months and one-fifth believe it will take one to two years.
So if you’d like to get a jumpstart on building your savings stash for a post-COVID world, you’re going to need a top notch savings account! You can compare more than 200 savings accounts from over 60 banks by using our savings account comparison tool.
Compare savings accounts - rates updated daily
Bonus Saver Account
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
1.20% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)0.10% p.a.(for $0 and over)Yes up to $250,000Bonus rate when at least $20 is deposited each month and five Visa Debit transactions are made each month using linked Everyday or Glide transaction accounts.
Bonus Saver Account
Winner of a Mozo Experts Choice Award 2021 in the Regular Saver category. No monthly account fees and no minimum balance requirements.
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Bonus rate when at least $20 is deposited each month and five Visa Debit transactions are made each month using linked Everyday or Glide transaction accounts.
- Access
- BPay, Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must link to a transaction account
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Bonus Saver Account
Serious Saver
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
0.30% p.a. (for $0 to $1,000,000)0.15% p.a.(for $0 and over)Yes up to $250,000No withdrawals in the month. Bonus rate for first 4 months, reverting to 0.15% rate after*
Serious Saver
$0 monthly account fee. Link to any Australian bank account.
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- No withdrawals in the month. Bonus rate for first 4 months, reverting to 0.15% rate after*
- Access
- Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Serious Saver
Hero Saver
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
0.80% p.a. (for $0 to $250,001)0.01% p.a.(for $0 to $5,000,000)Yes up to $250,000Minimum deposit of $200 and no withdrawals in the month.
Hero Saver
Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly. Automatic payment feature. No minimum opening balance needed.
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Minimum deposit of $200 and no withdrawals in the month.
- Access
- Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Hero Saver
Flexi Saver
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
0.25% p.a. (for $0 to $5,000,000)0.05% p.a.(for $0 to $5,000,000)Yes up to $250,000Increase balance by at least $300 in the month
Flexi Saver
No upfront or ongoing fees. Unlimited free transactions. Great for regular contributions.
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Increase balance by at least $300 in the month (excluding interest)
- Access
- BPay, Branch access, Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Flexi Saver