Bridging Income Shortfalls with BNPL under Rising Costs: Mental Accounting, Financial Management Practices, and Financial Stress among Malaysian Urban BNPL Users
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37253/combines.v6i1.12742Keywords:
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), consumer credit coping, mental accounting, financial stressAbstract
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) has rapidly expanded in Malaysia and has increasingly been used by urban consumers to manage short-term income–expenditure gaps amid rising living costs. This study examines the associations between mental accounting, financial management practices, BNPL usage, and financial stress among Malaysian urban BNPL users. A quantitative correlational design was employed using purposive non-probability sampling, with data collected through a self-administered online questionnaire from 18 November to 4 December 2025. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha, composite mean scores, and Pearson correlation analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics. The findings indicate that BNPL was commonly used for essential purchases and as a short-term solution during income shortfalls, although most respondents reported substantial repayment-related stress. Mental accounting was positively associated with financial stress (r = .286, p < .001), while financial management practices were negatively associated with financial stress (r = -.213, p = .004). These findings suggest that BNPL may provide immediate financial relief while simultaneously creating future repayment pressure, highlighting the need for behavioral tools that improve repayment visibility and cash-flow planning rather than relying solely on conventional financial literacy interventions.
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