How to Pay Off Buy Now, Pay Later Debt

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Quick Answer

Buy now, pay later debt should be added to your budget, with careful attention to payment due dates. Set up autopay if it’s an option and make sure you don’t miss a payment.

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Buy now, pay later (BNPL) loans are generally easy to qualify for and can make larger purchases feel manageable. Many plans allow you to split purchases into four equal payments, usually starting with a 25% down payment and followed by equal biweekly payments over six weeks. Paying off these loans can be challenging, however, especially if you have multiple plans. If you're feeling the weight of BNPL payments, here are some steps you can take to pay down your debt.

1. Organize Your Loans

If you have multiple BNPL loans from different providers, start by gathering your loan details in one place. You can do this in your notes app, on a piece of paper or in a spreadsheet. You'll want to list the:

  • BNPL provider
  • Remaining balance
  • Payment amount
  • Next due date
  • Final payment due date

Seeing everything in one place can help you avoid missed payments or accidental overdrafts.

2. Update Your Budget

Refreshing your budget helps you understand whether you can afford your BNPL payments. Since many BNPL payments are due every two weeks, they don't always align with a traditional monthly budget, or even your pay periods. Some months may have three payments per loan instead of two, which can really throw things off. Your budget can help you figure out how to handle multiple BNPL payments.

Be sure your budget includes all your upcoming BNPL payments along with your other expenses. Once you've updated your budget, look for places where you can cut back if you can't quite afford payments.

Tip: Try planning a two-month budget instead of a single month to account for weeks where you have multiple BNPL payments. This can help you give yourself time to adjust your spending.

3. Set Up Autopay

Some BNPL lenders require automatic payments from your checking or savings account. Even if autopay is optional, enrolling can ensure your payments are made on time.

Autopay does require monitoring to avoid an overdraft or returned payment if your bank account balance is too low. A failed transaction can lead to fees from the lender and your bank.

To stay on track, add payment due dates to your calendar or set phone reminders so you know when payments will be withdrawn.

Learn more: Should I Set Up Autopay?

4. Change Your Payment Due Date

Some BNPL lenders allow you to change or reschedule your payment due dates, which can make repayment easier. For example, you may be able to change your due date to line up with your paycheck.

The ability to change your due date varies by lender. Some lenders may restrict due date changes if you're a new customer, it's too close to the due date or you've made too many due date changes on your account.

5. Consider Your Other Options

BNPL loans are often used for impulse purchases, which can add up quickly. The average BNPL loan balance is around $760, according to an April 2025 survey conducted by Morgan Stanley. Repayment can be manageable for some and difficult for others.

With good credit, you may qualify for a 0% intro annual percentage rate (APR) credit card, which you may be able to use to consolidate your BNPL balances. Consolidating can reduce the number of payments you make, give you more time to pay your balances and simplify your budget. However, not all BNPL lenders allow credit card payments, so be sure to check with your provider before taking this step.

6. Reach Out if You Have a Hardship

If you're struggling to make payments, contact your BNPL provider as soon as possible to learn your options. Some lenders offer temporary relief for customers experiencing financial hardship.

Contact your lender before you miss a payment. Otherwise, a missed payment can lead to:

  • An account freeze preventing future purchases
  • Late fees or other penalties
  • Reduced spending limit
  • A collection account, which could damage your credit

Communicating early helps you avoid missed payment consequences and protects your finances.

Learn more: How to Get Emergency Money

7. Avoid Taking on New BNPL Purchases

While you're paying off your existing BNPL debt, it's best to pause new purchases using these plans. Adding new balances increases the strain on your budget and can extend the amount of time it takes to pay off your debt.

Instead, focus on paying off what you already owe. Once your balances are paid off and you have room in your budget, you'll be in a better position to decide whether BNPL loans are a purchasing option you want to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the lender and the credit score model being used. Most BNPL lenders don't report account activity to the major credit bureaus, so on-time payments may not appear on credit reports or affect credit scores.

However, FICO recently introduced BNPL-specific FICO scoring models that include BNPL data in FICO® ScoresΘ when those accounts are reported to a major credit bureau. When lenders use these newer models, on-time payments could help credit scores, while missed payments could hurt them. However, most lenders still use FICO® Score 8 and 9, which generally don't include BNPL activity.

Most BNPL lenders run a soft credit check when you open an account, which doesn't impact your credit score. However, if an account becomes delinquent and is sent to collections, the collection account may be reported to the credit bureaus and could significantly damage your credit.

No, BNPL isn't inherently bad, but it can be risky if you overuse it or you don't have a plan to repay what you've borrowed. Used responsibly, BNPL can allow you to pay off purchases in installments without opening a new credit card or paying interest. However, taking on too many BNPL plans at once can strain your budget and increase the risk of missed payments.

The Bottom Line

Paying off BNPL debt frees up cash flow and makes it easier to manage your budget. If you're juggling multiple BNPL loans, start by organizing your loan details and updating your budget. Don't hesitate to contact your lender for payment options if you're experiencing hardship.

If you're considering consolidating your BNPL balances with a credit card or personal loan, start by checking your FICO® Score for free from Experian. This helps you compare potential repayment options and choose the one that best fits your financial situation.

What makes a good credit score?

Learn what it takes to achieve a good credit score. Review your FICO® Score for free and see what’s helping and hurting your score.

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About the author

LaToya Irby is a personal finance writer who works with consumer media outlets to help people navigate their money and credit. She’s been published and quoted extensively in USA Today, U.S. News and World Report, myFICO, Investopedia, The Balance and more.

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