You will have seen its baby pink logo, placed seductively at the bottom of the checkout window. Today it's ubiquitous, lurking on practically every online shop, from Amazon and Asos to Deliveroo and John Lewis. I avoided clicking it for a while, then eventually gave in: this is Klarna, one of the many buy now, pay later (BNPL) services that allow you to split payments for everyday items into three, zero-interest instalments, or pay within 30 days. Sounds like a perfect way to create some financial flexibility, right? That’s until you get completely hooked.
It began when I needed a dress for a special occasion, but couldn’t afford one until payday. So I opted to actually pay for it 30 days after purchase. I was amazed by how easy it was. I didn’t have to jump through any major hoops to obtain the credit from Klarna, or fill out any lengthy forms. But then I got trigger-happy.
Gym trainers, a pair of headphones, a cute winter cardi – you name it, I’ve probably Klarna’d it. Just last week I decided to buy a ticket for a European music festival in nine separate instalments. I’ve somehow become allergic to paying for anything outright. But, when it’s time to pay up, I continually find myself struggling to balance my multiple payment deadlines. I’ve been living beyond my means and I know I’m in a dangerous cycle. But why has this kind of payment culture become so normalised?
This story is from the November 11, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 11, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Garnacho stance will help United to end bad habits
By listening to offers for the Argentine forward, Old Trafford chiefs are boosting the club’s flexibility in the transfer market
A LAST GOODBYE
A docudrama about the life of singer Jeff Buckley met with a rapturous response at the Sundance Film Festival last week. Laura Barton hopes it could mark the end of the glitzy biopic
Dupont inspires France to devastating win over Wales
The Paris symphony orchestra are back in session.
THAT'S A WRAP
Jacob Stolworthy and Louis Chilton pick the greatest movie endings of all time, from The Godfather’ to Monsters Inc’
IMPERFECT HARMONY
Sean O’Grady finds himself in easy symbiosis with the latest SUV crossover from Renault the Symbioz E-Tech hybrid
Borthwick’s time to deliver in tough Irish grudge match
Top international coaches speak of building block performances, foundation stones within the construction of a winning side.
‘The first victims will be women and the children’
Aid and charity workers fear for the safety of the innocent caught in crossfire as rebels take Goma in Congo uprising
Lammy makes impassioned plea for release of Suu Kyi
Foreign secretary demands ex-Myanmar leader be freed as she prepares to spend fifth year under yoke of military junta
Dark side of fame explored in this spectacular send-off
Abel Tesfaye waves goodbye to alter ego The Weeknd with final chapter Hurry Up Tomorrow’, a sonic-yet-cinematic blending of honesty and hedonism, writes Roisin O’Connor
Long-term sick must seek work in welfare shake-up
The long-term sick could be forced to find jobs or have their benefits slashed in sweeping welfare reforms.
