It’s that time of year again, when inboxes fill up with “One Day Only!” deals, when every second ad is telling you you’d be mad not to buy something, and when the promise of fast delivery, quick checkout and flexible payment options makes it all feel incredibly easy.
Welcome to the silly season of spending.
Between Black Friday, Cyber Monday, pre-Christmas sales and the last-minute rush in December, it’s no surprise this is the period when it’s all too easy to spend more than we planned. In recent years, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services have become a feature in-store and as part of online checkouts, giving shoppers more ways to pay over time.
BNPL isn’t new, and plenty of Australians use it responsibly. The industry has also undergone regulatory changes to strengthen consumer protections and bring BNPL a little closer to traditional credit requirements.
Even with that progress however, one thing hasn’t changed: it’s still incredibly easy to overspend when you can defer the pain of payment.
So as the shopping season ramps up, here’s a gentle, friendly reminder, from a team that’s seen more than a few festive budgets come undone, to keep your financial wellbeing front and centre.
Why This Time of Year Catches People Out
There’s a lot happening at once:
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Sales pressure is everywhere. Huge discounts feel urgent, even when they’re not.
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Social expectations creep in. Gifts, events, travel, December is expensive by nature.
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We’re tired. Decision fatigue makes it harder to pause and think.
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BNPL makes checkout frictionless. A couple of taps and you’re done.
Individually, these things are manageable. Combined? They’re a recipe for accidental overspending, especially when payments are spread out over multiple weeks and multiple BNPL services.
Even if each repayment feels small, it all adds up. And those first instalments always land sooner than we expect.
How Banks and Lenders Often View BNPL
This is an important one, especially if you’re planning on applying for finance in the near future.
A growing number of Australian lenders, including major banks, now look at BNPL activity as part of your broader financial behaviour. This shift isn’t about punishing BNPL users; it’s simply part of more thorough affordability and credit assessments.
Well-known organisations such as Equifax, Financial Rights Legal Centre, and consumer finance platforms consistently highlight a few key points:
1. BNPL repayments form part of your regular financial commitments
Even if individual instalments seem small, lenders generally want to see all your ongoing obligations. BNPL is increasingly treated the same way as any other recurring outgoing, because it affects your available income.
2. Multiple BNPL accounts can raise questions about spending habits
Using one BNPL platform occasionally is rarely a problem.
Using several platforms at once, or carrying multiple simultaneous BNPL repayment schedules, may make lenders look closer at your cash-flow management.
3. Missed BNPL repayments can impact your credit report
Consumer advice bodies in Australia consistently remind people that unpaid BNPL debts may be reported as defaults if they escalate, and those can absolutely affect your ability to obtain other credit.
4. BNPL limits may be viewed similarly to other credit limits
Even if you haven’t used your remaining BNPL limit, some lenders consider the potential for that limit to be used, the same way they do with credit cards.
5. New regulations mean BNPL is now taken more seriously across the finance sector
Recent Australian reforms (effective June 2025) bring BNPL providers closer to traditional credit rules, including affordability checks. This doesn’t make BNPL “bad”, but it does mean it’s more visible in the traditional finance landscape.
So if you’re hoping to apply for a home loan, personal loan or car finance early next year, keeping BNPL modest over the holiday season can help ensure your financial picture looks clean and stable.
Simple Ways to Enjoy the Sales Without Blowing the Budget
1. Make a “Must Buy” List Before the Sales Begin
Whether it’s Christmas presents, work gear, household upgrades or something you’ve been saving for, write it down.
Sales are the perfect time to buy things you already planned to buy, not to create new wants on the fly.
If it’s not on your list, give it 24 hours before committing.
2. Use One BNPL Service, Not Several
The biggest trap isn’t one BNPL purchase, it’s stacking multiple accounts with overlapping payment schedules.
Managing one system = predictable.
Managing three or four = budget fog.
If you choose to use BNPL, keep it to a single provider so you can clearly see what’s coming up.
3. Check the Total Repayment Schedule Before You Tap “Confirm”
BNPL shows one instalment very clearly… and the total amount a little less clearly.
Remind yourself:
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How many instalments are there?
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When do they fall?
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Does that overlap with other higher-expense weeks?
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Is this purchase still worth it when spread across the next month or two?
4. Protect Your Buffer
December is unpredictable.
A car rego notice pops up.
A kids’ activity costs more than expected.
A last-minute event needs a gift.
If BNPL repayments start eating into your safety buffer, it becomes stressful very quickly.
Try to ensure you’ll still have a comfortable margin after those repayments are accounted for.
5. Set a Maximum Spending Limit for Sales Season
This can be a dollar amount or number of BNPL purchases, whatever feels easier.
A self-imposed limit keeps impulse buying under control without feeling restrictive.
6. If You’re Buying Gifts, Agree on a Budget With Friends & Family
A quick group message like, “Hey everyone, max $50 this year?” can remove a lot of pressure.
People rarely complain about spending less, especially in December.
7. Pay Off BNPL Early If You Can
Most platforms allow additional payments.
Clearing the debt sooner can give you more mental space going into the new year.
The Big Picture: January You Will Thank December You
The beginning of the year should feel like a reset, not a financial hangover.
When we talk to clients in January, the theme is always the same:
“I didn’t realise how much everything added up.”
BNPL purchases from late November and early December often fall due during a time when many households are already juggling holidays, reduced work hours, or extra social costs. That’s why visibility is everything.
And again, this isn’t about avoiding BNPL entirely. It’s simply about staying in control of your cash flow while still enjoying the season.
If You’re Unsure Where Your Budget Sits, We’re Here to Help
At Force Finance South West, we spend all year helping people manage their money with confidence, whether that’s business finance, personal finance, equipment loans, or simply better cash-flow planning.
If you’d like a clearer picture of how your budget looks heading into the end of the year, or you want to explore smarter ways to manage repayments or restructure existing finance, we’re always happy to chat.
No judgement, no sales pitch, just practical, local advice from people who live in the same community and know the seasonal pressures you’re dealing with.