4 Reasons Layaway Is a Horrible Idea

Many of the bigger stores will charge you a fee for putting things on layaway. Make sure you read the fine print before signing up for a layaway plan. Stores can charge a simple initial fee ($5-$20) or charge a percentage of the cost of the item (5-10%). Why pay the fees when you can save and buy the item for the actual price later?

The biggest problem with layaway is that you are spending money that you don’t have, which can cost you more in the long run. If you put something on layaway and find out later that you can’t afford it, you will have to pay a cancellation penalty. These penalties are huge, usually $5-$15, but if you also paid an initial fee, you could be out upwards of $30, which could be another present you could have bought.

Most of the biggest sales happen later in the season. Instead of putting something on layaway, start saving for it now. When it gets later in the season and the item goes on sale, you’ll already have the money to buy it. Look for online sales, too. A lot of sites offer free shipping or discounts later in the season to move more products. Be informed and keep track of sales at all times during holiday season. It can end up saving you hundreds.

If you really want to delay paying for your holiday gifts, sign up for a 0% intro APR credit card. These credit cards let you avoid paying interest on your purchases for up to 14 months, which gives you over a year to pay off your holiday purchases without being charged interest. These credit cards also usually come with either cash back or travel rewards, which means you can actually earn money back for your purchase, instead of paying fees to the store. Here’s a good list of 0% intro APR credit cards to choose from.