Forget ‘Buy Now, Pay Later.’ This Trick Gets You 0% Interest Instead

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[[{“value”:”Buy now, pay later (BNPL) sounds like a great concept — split up your payments, no interest, no worries. But behind the shiny checkout button lie some sneaky commonly-reported issues.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. Almost half (49%) of BNPL users said they’ve experienced issues like overspending and missing payments, according to a new Bankrate survey. There’s also a hefty amount of buyer regret, which is frustrating because these services are supposed to make life easier — not add financial stress.So what’s a better option if you want to spread out purchases, but still avoid paying interest? Let me show you a little trick that helped a friend of mine save over $1,000 in interest.How 0% intro APR credit cards workThe trick is using a credit card with a 0% intro APR offer. These aren’t sketchy promos — they’re real offers from big-name banks. Most give you anywhere from six to 21 months of 0% interest on purchases and/or balance transfers.Here’s how they work:You apply for a credit card that offers a 0% intro APR on purchases (or balance transfers).You make your new purchases, or transfer debt from an old card.You’ve then got the entire intro APR period — say, 18 months — to pay it off without any interest.Example: Let’s say you buy a $1,000 patio set on a card offering 0% intro APR for 18 months. You then make payments of $56 per month during that interest-free period, and you’re done. No interest paid.How 0% intro APR cards give you more breathing roomBNPL is like juggling flaming swords. Each plan is short term (often six weeks to six months), and it’s easy to forget a payment.Meanwhile, 0% intro APR cards are like a wide safety net. You can:Stretch payments over 12 to 21 monthsConsolidate multiple purchases into one planAvoid juggling multiple due datesThey’re especially handy for financing large purchases. Or transferring balances to help pay off high-interest debt from another card faster.Just make sure you pick the right 0% intro APR card. Some only offer a deal for purchases, others only for transfers, and some do both. Compare the top 0% intro APR credit cards here and find one that suits your needs.Understand the fees and rulesBefore applying for a 0% intro APR credit card, here are a few key things to know:Most 0% intro APR cards require good credit (typically 670 or higher FICO® Score).There’s usually a 3%-5% fee to transfer a balance (but you can still save way more than paying high interest).Missing a payment could void your 0% deal. Always pay on time.Remember, the 0% intro rate will eventually expire. So don’t treat it like free money or build a lifestyle around borrowed cash. It’s a tool to help you catch up — not fall further behind.Used wisely, 0% intro APR cards give you more time and flexibility than most BNPL plans. But in either case, the smartest move is sticking to purchases that fit your budget.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Wells Fargo is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Joel O’Leary has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) sounds like a great concept — split up your payments, no interest, no worries. But behind the shiny checkout button lie some sneaky commonly-reported issues.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

Almost half (49%) of BNPL users said they’ve experienced issues like overspending and missing payments, according to a new Bankrate survey. There’s also a hefty amount of buyer regret, which is frustrating because these services are supposed to make life easier — not add financial stress.

So what’s a better option if you want to spread out purchases, but still avoid paying interest? Let me show you a little trick that helped a friend of mine save over $1,000 in interest.

How 0% intro APR credit cards work

The trick is using a credit card with a 0% intro APR offer. These aren’t sketchy promos — they’re real offers from big-name banks. Most give you anywhere from six to 21 months of 0% interest on purchases and/or balance transfers.

Here’s how they work:

1. You apply for a credit card that offers a 0% intro APR on purchases (or balance transfers).
2. You make your new purchases, or transfer debt from an old card.
3. You’ve then got the entire intro APR period — say, 18 months — to pay it off without any interest.

Example: Let’s say you buy a $1,000 patio set on a card offering 0% intro APR for 18 months. You then make payments of $56 per month during that interest-free period, and you’re done. No interest paid.

How 0% intro APR cards give you more breathing room

BNPL is like juggling flaming swords. Each plan is short term (often six weeks to six months), and it’s easy to forget a payment.

Meanwhile, 0% intro APR cards are like a wide safety net. You can:

• Stretch payments over 12 to 21 months
• Consolidate multiple purchases into one plan
• Avoid juggling multiple due dates

They’re especially handy for financing large purchases. Or transferring balances to help pay off high-interest debt from another card faster.

Understand the fees and rules

Before applying for a 0% intro APR credit card, here are a few key things to know:

• Most 0% intro APR cards require good credit (typically 670 or higher FICO® Score).
• There’s usually a 3%-5% fee to transfer a balance (but you can still save way more than paying high interest).
• Missing a payment could void your 0% deal. Always pay on time.

Remember, the 0% intro rate will eventually expire. So don’t treat it like free money or build a lifestyle around borrowed cash. It’s a tool to help you catch up — not fall further behind.

Used wisely, 0% intro APR cards give you more time and flexibility than most BNPL plans. But in either case, the smartest move is sticking to purchases that fit your budget.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Wells Fargo is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Joel O’Leary has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More