Posted on 04/29/2023 9:02:26 PM PDT by entropy12
As inflation continues to squeeze Americans, some are turning to buy now, pay later (BNPL) options to scrape by.
A new LendingTree survey shows about 46% of consumers used BNPL this year. That’s up from 43% a year ago and 31% in 2021.
While many consumer goods retailers, both online and brick and mortar, are providing these services to generate revenue, it’s a "bad outcome" for consumers’ balance sheet, O’Leary Ventures Chairman Kevin O’Leary warned.
"This is not new. This is late-cycle consumer activity and debt starts to flare up, and of course, if you extend it on credit cards, it's a 21 to 27% interest. Not a good sign. It's a sign of slowing, no question," he said on FOX Business' "Mornings with Maria" Tuesday.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxbusiness.com ...
Outside of utilities and property taxes, my biggest recurring expenditures are for food and staples, and I have to shop at my local WM a mile away nearly every day to catch any food deals (e.g., expiring meats, etc.).
There’s not a thing in that store that hasn’t increased 25-50% minimum in the last two years. Ore Ida instant potato packs used to be 80 cents. Now they’re $1.46. Instant coffee I used to buy at $3.48 is not almost $7. EVERYTHING!
The fact is that this government is lying. Lying, liars when they talk about their inflation numbers, and CPI and whatever else BS it is that doesn’t affect me. There’s a way to stop it. Don’t vote for ANY Democrat, period.
“cart full of groceries and her total was more than $140”
I call BS. One only needs two plastic bags to contain $140 worth of groceries. A cart full would require a 2nd mortgage for most.
Rush used to talk about buying food at convenience stores with a credit card, when he was a struggling DJ.
I’ve passed the local food bank every so often.
A lot of nice cars and SUV’s among the ones typically in line. Nicer than my bit worn 2016 Tacoma.
Just for my non extravagant needs for a week to 10 days, 80 to 100 bucks.
Yes it’s amazing what you see in the free food lines. New huge vehicles, fancy jewelry dangling off women, young healthy looking recipients. Sigh
I went to dinner last night and there was an advisory clipped to the menu saying that all prices were subject to change WITHOUT NOTICE!.
Isn’t that just precious?
On the road Friday - paid $37 plus tip for two turkey clubs and ginger ales at the diner.
Food & service were good, but the price!
local gubmint housing had nicer cars in some cases than mine several years back.
trust me its a PITA to have to use food stamps, but like a lot of seasoned citizens only living on SS its a must..
That’s one of my most likely outcomes. It will be a race between that and ‘natural causes’.
I noticed this year, prices in restaurants are up 20% and portions are down 20% LOL
Oh well, I can afford to lose a few pounds. And ditto for most Americans. May be Biden will make us all more healthy by eating less.
I just pulled the 4” number out of air, knowing how crazy liberals are. Even a snub nose is about 6”.
The lady in line ahead of me was thirtyish and of sound body. No wonder so many service jobs can’t find workers. Free food stamps, rent subsidy, Medicaid, free cell phones, child support, on and on...makes no sense to work for $16/hour in my grocery store. They have had that help wanted sign for ever. Finally they cut out all but 2 of the checkout stations and replaced them with self-checkout stations.
She had plenty of NON-food items in her cart if I recall correctly. Yes you are right 4 plastic bags of Walmart groceries usually run $80-90+
The meat counter at my local Food Lion had a “Financing Available” placard.
Funny but very sad at the same time. Americans had no clue how good life was with Trump as POTUS. Barack Obama has said, “do not under-estimate Joe’s ability to screw things up”. I guess Barack was right for once.
Oh i have seen lots of those types of people, unwilling to work, expecting handouts for everything, I figure i am just getting back what i paid for in taxes over the 40yrs i worked.
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