Buy now, pay later, in debt forever? - The Face

One minute you’re splitting the cost of an Airbnb over three months, the next you’re thousands in the red. BNPL schemes (or “Klarnamaxxing”) are a slippery slope – especially when you’ve got appearances to uphold on social media. Words: Annabel Nugent 22nd July 2025 Sadie* leads a double life. A part-time model, she rents a spacious two-bed flat in Clapton, East London, with her best friend. She wears vintage Saint Laurent and Rick Owens, and is currently in Los Angeles visiting her boyfriend. Next month, she’s off to Paris. By all appearances, Sadie is a thriving 30-year-old woman. She’s also on Universal Credit. Her story encapsulates the warped, trick-mirror era of financial contradiction we’re currently living in. Online, it seems like everyone’s having a great time. They live in small but perfectly formed flats in sought-after postcodes, dine at the buzziest restaurants and holiday in trendy destinations. Scroll through Insta and you’ll see outfit photos posted ad nauseam, curate

One minute you’re splitting the cost of an Airbnb over three months, the next you’re thousands in the red. BNPL schemes (or “Klarnamaxxing”) are a slippery slope – especially when you’ve got appearances to uphold on social media. Words: Annabel Nugent 22nd July 2025 Sadie* leads a double life. A part-time model, she rents a spacious two-bed flat in Clapton, East London, with her best friend. She wears vintage Saint Laurent and Rick Owens, and is currently in Los Angeles visiting her boyfriend. Next month, she’s off to Paris. By all appearances, Sadie is a thriving 30-year-old woman. She’s also