Trapped in Paylater Debt? Here’s How to Get Out and Manage It

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Getting trapped in paylater debt is a situation often unexpected by many people.

The ease of using this feature causes many to become complacent and fall into excessive debt.

One reason someone can get caught in paylater is treating it as additional income.

DOK. Istimewa Illustration of paylater. Buy Now Pay Later services are increasingly popular amid the surge in online shopping. However, several financial experts warn that these services risk trapping consumers in debt.

“People feel like they have extra income, so they shop beyond their actual earnings. Even though there are installments, it’s still debt that must be paid off,” explained Financial Planner from Finante, Maryadi Santana, when contacted by Kompas.com on Saturday (19/9/2026).

For users already trapped in debt, it’s advised to stop seeking new paylater loans.

“Stop looking for other paylater options to cover previous paylater debts,” Maryadi said.

Next, users can apply for installment plans on their paylater bills so the debt gradually decreases instead of piling up due to accumulating interest.

Furthermore, users are advised to consistently create a shopping budget based on their monthly income and strictly follow it.

Allocate part of the salary to paying off paylater debt as well.

Tips for Wise Paylater Usage

Maryadi suggested several tips to use paylater wisely, without disrupting monthly finances.

PEXELS/COTTONBRO STUDIO Illustration of managing finances and making financial resolutions. Freelancers often face fluctuating incomes. So, how can finances remain stable without a fixed salary? Here are some tips and tricks.

“The most important tip is to create a shopping budget and be disciplined with it,” he said.

Don’t let next month’s income be completely used just to pay paylater bills, sacrificing other essential needs.

Another tip is to use paylater as a tool to get discounts, not as extra income for shopping.

Many e-commerce platforms offer larger discounts when paying with paylater.

Users can take advantage of these discounts but must pay immediately—don’t wait until the next month.