Good morning {{first_name}},
hope your having a great Sunday today ☕️
Most people think Buy Now, Pay Later (Klarna, Clearpay, all of them) is harmless.
“Split it up, no interest, easy.”
But here’s the truth: it’s designed to trap you.
How They Catch You
It feels simple: £40 now, £40 next month, £40 after that.
But here’s the catch:
First payment? You remember.
Second? Life’s busy, you forget.
Third? Totally slips your mind.
And when you do? A £12 late fee.
It’s like forgetting to top up your bus pass suddenly you’re stuck.
The Real Cost
Say you buy trainers for £120.
You expect: 3 x £40 = £120 total.
What often happens:
£40 (on time)
£40 + £12 late fee
£40 + £12 late fee
= £144
That’s £24 gone money that could’ve been snacks, bus fare, or other essentials.
Why It Hurts Your Score
Each BNPL sign-up can lower your credit score a little.
Miss a payment? Even more points drop.
Later, when you need:
A phone contract
Car finance
Even renting a flat
you might get blocked. All because of trainers you couldn’t really afford.
Simple Steps to Avoid It
Wait 2 Days → Screenshot what you want. Sleep on it. If you still want it tomorrow, think about saving first.
Make a Simple Budget → Write down:
Bills: rent, phone, gas, electricity
Essentials: groceries, travel
Savings: put some aside each month
Personal money: keep £100 for treats
Check Your Cash → Only spend what you actually have left.
Jar Method → Put the money you’d spend in a jar for a week. If you still want it after a week, go for it.
Compare & Decide → Write down what you already have. Do you really need the new item, or is it just because it looks nice?
So {{first_name}}, next time Klarna or Clearpay pops up at checkout, remember: it’s not “buy now, pay later.”
It’s “borrow now, regret later.”
All the best see you next Sunday,
Yousaf