The Daily

‘Buy Now, Pay Later’: A New Wave of Consumer Debt

September 8, 2026·24 min·4-min readnarrativenews
Podzilla Summary (4 min)
TLDR
Buy now, pay later (BNPL) loans have surged in popularity as Americans face rising costs, offering quick, easy credit for everyday expenses—but their rapid growth masks hidden risks, especially for financially vulnerable users who may fall into cycles of debt.


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Guest

S

Stacey Cowley

narrative on The Daily

Mentions

Books, people, and resources mentioned in this episode.

People

Stacey CowleyAshley Reed

Companies

KlarnaAffirmFlex

Topics

DebtFinancial IndependenceFintechInequalityPersonal Finance

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