Quick Take & Executive Summary
A $1,200 phone financed over 24 months at 15% costs about $1,400, while saving for three months costs just $1,200—keeping $200 in your pocket. Needs like housing and healthcare may justify careful financing, but wants drain you through interest. The key rule: if you can't pay it off this month, can you save instead? Debt steals from your future self; saving builds patience and discipline. Pause before "Buy Now, Pay Later" and ask: need or want?