Eat now, pay later: More people using BNPL to buy food, but there are pitfalls

SALT LAKE CITY — When you think of “buy now, pay later,” you’re probably thinking of splurging on a vacation or perhaps a big screen TV. But more people are turning to BNPL for the basics – like feeding their families.

Grocery prices have kept ticking up. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the cost of food at home this past July went up by 2.2%. Staples like meat, dairy and produce are all up, which adds pressure to household budgets.

A new AP-NORC pol l shows almost 90% of Americans are worried about the cost of groceries. 53% say the stress from that cost lives right up there with the cost of housing and health care.

For some, the stress has prompted them to buy food with something else besides a credit card: a “buy now, pay later” loan.

The survey found 11% have used a BNPL loan a