In this Econ 101 segment on the 9innings Podcast, we explore America’s growing “payment economy,” where consumers increasingly focus on the monthly payment rather than the total price.

From longer-term financing and Buy Now, Pay Later services to the ever-growing subscription economy, we examine how breaking purchases into smaller payments can create the illusion of affordability without actually reducing the cost.

We also look at how credit-driven consumption can mask vulnerabilities in the economy, keep demand, and potentially prices elevated, while putting additional pressure on household finances.

The takeaway is simple: Stop asking whether you can afford the payment and start asking what the purchase actually costs. Because true affordability isn’t about making the monthly  ...