Clever Girl Finance isn’t just about money. We are about freedom, choices, and confidence. We know how overwhelming finances can feel, especially when you’re juggling career, family, and personal goals. That’s why we’ve built one of the largest personal finance communities for women, with over 100,000 women learning, growing, and winning with their money together.When you subscribe, you’re not just signing up for financial tips, you’re joining a movement. You’ll get access to relatable, judgment-free advice designed to help you ditch debt, save consistently, and invest with confidence. We break down money topics in a way that’s simple, practical, and actually fun. Whether you want to build your first emergency fund, pay off thousands in debt, or finally start building wealth for the long term, we’ve got the tools and support you need. With our resources, tools, and strategies, you’ll know you’re not alone on this journey. Subscribe today—because your future self deserves the financial freedom you’re dreaming of!
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🧐 Buy Now, Pay Later for the Holidays: Helpful Hack or Holiday Trap?
Are you breaking into a cold sweat thinking about holiday shopping? You’re not alone! According to a survey by Talker Research for PayPal, 60% of participants feel stressed about money as the holiday season approaches.
Many of us feel pressured to impress relatives with the perfect gift or to find the most creative white elephant present. With so much emphasis on buying, it’s common to turn to Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) loans to cover the costs.
The PayPal survey also revealed that about 80% of shoppers are either considering using BNPL for their holiday shopping or are repeat users.
A not surprising percentage since many BNPL options are available at checkout. Plus, many BNPL loans advertise zero interest, so why not buy what you want now and worry about paying it back later?
Even though BNPL loans can help you buy the fancy vase for your mother-in-law, they can ultimately hinder your financial goals. Even though some BNPL companies don’t report to credit bureaus (many soon will), taking out a loan, regardless of the repayment plan, still means taking on debt.
We’re not saying you should avoid BNPL options completely, but it’s important to proceed with caution. Let’s look at the best ways to incorporate BNPL loans responsibly into your financial planning.
As the holidays approach, leverage the My Wealth Plan Workbook to help you spend mindfully and stay on track👇
Intentional spending = a peaceful holiday season. Use the My Wealth Plan Workbook to plan, save, and stay debt free this holiday season.
Click here (or the image above) to get your copy!
How BNPLs may be helpful
We’ve all been in a bind. Payday is coming, but you need to make a critical purchase now but you are short on cash. In this instance, BNPL loans could be helpful.
Many BNPL services offer easy loan approval, especially with online purchases. No need for a background check or waiting weeks for approval, simply click the option and sign up. You can also decide the number of payments and the frequency, which makes you feel more in control.
You may also have the ability to apply for multiple loans from the same company. And since not all BNPL companies report to the credit bureau, it may not affect your credit score. All these perks are great when you’re between paychecks.
That said, trouble can brew when you don't have a plan to pay back quickly and you start to rely too much on these types of loans.
The BNPL traps
A common trap of BNPL loans is signing up for too many loans. When you’re signed up for more than one loan, it keeps you blind to the total amount that you owe, and it can be difficult to keep track of when different payments are due. This results in late or missed payments.
Another trap is not reading the fine print. No one likes to read the tiny font on the screen. It’s easier to just scroll down and click agree. However, not knowing the conditions of your loan can lead you to pay more than you expected. The fine print will often disclose if there are any additional sign-up fees or penalties for late payments
Lastly, BNPL loans make it easy to overspend. When your brain sees a Smartwatch for $500, it might be an immediate no. But four payments of $125 sound more appealing to your brain and budget. However, if you didn’t have the $500 to pay in full, that money won’t magically show up. You might have enough to pay for the first one or two loan payments, but you’ll need enough to make continuous payments until the loan is paid off. Will 4 payments of $125 fit your budget in the future?
What to do instead of relying on BNPL loans
Before you take off every item on your holiday gift list because you don’t want to use BNPL loans, here are some tips to make holiday shopping easier and more affordable.
Set a realistic gift budget: Instead of looking at gifts first, then your bank account second, make a budget based on your current income. Calculate how much you can realistically put aside for gifts. Then, with that money, decide on which gifts to purchase. Remember, a thoughtful gift doesn’t have to be expensive.
Shop early: Raise your hand if you’re a last-minute shopper 🫣. We’ve all rushed into the department store 10 minutes before closing, hoping to get whatever’s left over. However, if you shop early, you’ll not only have more choices but a better chance at finding quality deals.
One way to knock out your early shopping is to add on some gift shopping to your normal errands. During a grocery run, consider picking up a nice bottle of wine or gourmet chocolates as a gift. This way, you can get gift shopping done little by little and not overwhelm yourself.
Stick to cash or debit: Take control of your spending by using cash (like the cash envelope method) or your debit card. Using cash can help you better allocate your money and prevent you from overspending. Remember, if you don’t have the money now, there’s no guarantee you’ll have the money later.
Helpful tips when using BNPL loans
Like we said, we’re not trying to scare you off using BNPL loans; we just want you to use them responsibly. Here are some BNPL best practices:
Stick to one purchase and one provider: A BNPL best practice is to stick to one loan and one provider. Focusing on paying back one loan can give you peace of mind. No waking up in the middle of the night trying to remember which payment is due on which day.
One loan from one provider makes it easier to set reminders for payment dates and keeps your debt amount low. You can also send autopay through your bank so that the payments get taken out when they are due.
Read the fine print: Reading the fine print can feel like flossing; nobody likes doing it, but it’s important. Here’s what to look out for:
Additional fees
Payment schedule
What happens if a payment is late or goes unpaid
Set payment reminders: Add a tracker on your budget, phone, or notebook, where it shows you the total amount, how much you’ve paid, and how much you owe. Use your calendar app to set reminders for before and on the date a payment is due.
With your loan payments on top of mind, you’ll be able to make consistent payments.
Only use BNPL if you absolutely have to: BNPL options are available for so many purchases. As a result, you may be tempted to buy something that wasn’t on your list or budget but would be a nice addition to your home or wardrobe. However, it’s best to focus on using BNPL for purchases will have the money to pay back quickly. .
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Remember that an impulse purchase can give you a boost of adrenaline now but a headache in the future. You still have time now to plan out your finances so you’re not overwhelmed by the holiday rush.
Thoughtful and intentional purchases will help you stay on budget and reach your financial goals.
If you are still paying off debt from last year’s holiday purchases, check out our free course on eliminating debt to help you start the holiday season on the right track.
📖 If you’ve ever started January wishing you’d tracked your spending better over the holiday, the My Wealth Plan Workbook will help you build awareness before the chaos hits.
PLUS when you sign up for a free course, you can schedule a completely free call with one of our amazing Clever Girl Finance mentors. WE ARE IN YOUR CORNER!
P.S. Don’t wait for January to get organized;Click here to get the My Wealth Plan Workbook and plan your best holiday season yet.
Some images and links in this newsletter are affiliate or sponsored links from companies we trust, which means if you make a purchase or sign up, Clever Girl Finance may get something in return. This helps us grow!
Take control of your life and achieve your financial freedom. Join over 100,000 women in our community!
Clever Girl Finance isn’t just about money. We are about freedom, choices, and confidence. We know how overwhelming finances can feel, especially when you’re juggling career, family, and personal goals. That’s why we’ve built one of the largest personal finance communities for women, with over 100,000 women learning, growing, and winning with their money together.When you subscribe, you’re not just signing up for financial tips, you’re joining a movement. You’ll get access to relatable, judgment-free advice designed to help you ditch debt, save consistently, and invest with confidence. We break down money topics in a way that’s simple, practical, and actually fun. Whether you want to build your first emergency fund, pay off thousands in debt, or finally start building wealth for the long term, we’ve got the tools and support you need. With our resources, tools, and strategies, you’ll know you’re not alone on this journey. Subscribe today—because your future self deserves the financial freedom you’re dreaming of!
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Learn, plan, and grow! Check out our 30+ free courses, 40+ free worksheets, and our 1-on-1 coaching offerings! Did you get this email forwarded to you? Join thousands of women in the CGF community, follow us on Instagram, and watch on YouTube! View this and previous newsletters anytime: Online newsletters. Fuel the mission! ☕️ ❤️ Hello Reader, In the summer of 2025, we analyzed a pool of women in this amazing community to understand how women today feel about their finances; what’s working,...
