Episode Details

While indulging in online retail therapy, you’ve probably seen an option at checkout to buy now, pay later. Companies like Afterpay, Affirm, and Klarna let consumers pay in four installments for nearly anything, including clothes, concert tickets, or even a burrito. For some consumers, it’s a tech-assisted layaway plan that helps when cash is tight. For others, it’s a chance to splurge on otherwise unattainable goods. On social media, it’s called “Klarnamaxxing” and it’s getting some consumers into a world of debt.

Guests:

Annie Joy Williams, assistant editor covering politics and culture, The Atlantic

Julie Margetta Morgan, president, The Century Foundation, an independent think that that researches public policy; former associate director of research, monitoring and regulations at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Amy X. Wang, story editor, New York Times Magazine

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