The Rise of Buy Now, Pay Later

By HakimDaradkah

  • The Convenience Boom: BNPL apps double in popularity during a slow economy

    Consumers praise BNPL as a saving grace during rising inflation. Ads emphasize its empowerment. "Why wait? Live in the moment".
    Societal impact: Budgeting becomes optional, for the first time in American history, people owe more money to apps than to credit card companies.

  • "Invisible Credit Scores": BNPL companies replace traditional credit scores

    A new algorithm is created to calculate financial reliability based not on savings, but consistent payments.
    Social impact: Saving money is seen as suspicious, and constant spending raises your score. People begin buying small items constantly to keep up their score.

  • "Subscription Cities": Houysing and transportation convert to BNPL-style plans.

    Cities introduce "pay as you live" apartments, charging tiny increments for utilities on a room by room basis.
    Social impact: People stop owning anything. Homes lock when you miss payments, a lot of times with people and kids inside.

  • "Microdebt Generations": Children inherit unpaid BNPL balances from parents

    Legislation quietly allows transferable financial obligations to prevent economic collapse.
    Social impact: Teenagers reach adulthood with an average of 12000 in debt. Schools add classes to educate on payment responsibility

  • "The Great Default": A worldwide economic crash caused by missed payments

    Millions default in the same week when an app glitch stops auto payments. BNPL companies seize homes and vehicles.
    Social impact: Homelessness spikes. Governments step in, but instead of limiting BNPL, they partner with companies.

  • "State backed spending mandate": The government requires a minimum monthly spending quota.

    To "stabilize the economy", citizens must maintain healthy payment activity. Spending becomes patriotic.
    Societal impact: Commercial holidays triple. Citizens receive fines for under participation. Schools hold pep rallies for "National Spending Day".

  • "Biopay Implants": Wrist implants replace phones for instant BNPL approval

    Implants monitor stress and release dopamine when purchases are made. Shopping is now chemically addictive.
    Societal impact: Not buying becomes socially concerning, and even causes withdrawals for some people.

  • "Pleasure Tax Credits": Citizens receive tax benefits for purchasing mood boosting items.

    Therapists partner with retailers, prescribing "elevated joy regimens"(BNPL financed shopping routines).

  • "The Unified Debt System": All currency converts to FutureCredits, debt backed digital currency.

    Citizens are allowed unlimited spending, but every purchase sells a fraction of their future labor.
    Societal impact: Life expectancy estimates determine credit limits. People with "favorable genes" can buy more. The world becomes a market of the future.

  • "The Joy Freedom Act": BNPL is now mandatory. Owning without payments is illegal.

    Society celebrates the "liberation from ownership". Every object is borrowed, but permanently paid for.
    Citizens recite "You will own nothing and be happy".
    Social impact: Debt is now an identity. People proudly shares their scores and payment streaks.