If you're not financially prepared to pay up, late fees or other charges can bury you deeper in debt. Circumstances can change over a matter of weeks through financial setbacks like unemployment, an unexpected bill, a family emergency or other events.
When you're feeling the financial squeeze of those pay-in-four buy now, pay later plans — and possibly other debts - it's important to create a plan to pay down balances.
Here are a few options to consider as you strategize your way out of debt.
1. UPDATE YOUR BUDGET
Review your budget and trim unnecessary expenses or swap services for less costly alternatives. Cancel unused subscriptions, for example, or switch to a cheaper streaming service.
If you're also struggling with credit card debt that may take three to five years to pay off, consider consulting an accredited nonprofit credit counseling agency about a debt management plan, which can consolidate some balances into a single low-interest payment. Note that accounts enrolled in the plan are typically required to be closed, which could affect your finances in the short term.
2. CHANGE YOUR PAYMENT DUE DATE
Some lenders like Klarna and Afterpay allow you to change the payment due date or request an extension.
Klarna customers using a pay-in-four loan can extend the due date of a payment for each order once by 14 days, according to the company's website. Afterpay may provide more leeway, allowing changes to the payment due date up to six times per year in the app, according to Amanda Pires, a company spokesperson.
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