Young people are increasingly influenced by social and cultural consumption trends shaped by social media, advertising and their social environment. Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services are presented as a solution for financial flexibility, enabling users to purchase products immediately and pay later. Amid rising living costs and decreasing disposable incomes, BNPL services are increasingly attractive but pose significant long-term risks. Particularly, individuals aged 18 to 34 use BNPL to make spontaneous purchases, acquire expensive products or meet social expectations. This raises the risk of over-indebtedness, with nearly 750,000 consumers under 30 in Germany in debt, a significant portion linked to online retailers. This study examines how young people perceive BNPL’s financial burden and which factors influence their purchasing decisions and long-term financial planning. Qualitative interviews with young BNPL users form the analysis basis, evaluated using Mayring’s qualitative content analysis. BNPL provides short-term flexibility but leads to overlooked long-term risks. Many users struggle with financial oversight. Return options enhance perceived security, reducing risk awareness and facilitating purchases. Additionally, social media and peer pressure drive impulsive purchases, while deferred payments reduce the pain of loss and create a deceptive sense of security. This research provides insights into the psychological and social factors influencing BNPL usage, contributing to discussions on innovative payment methods and their impact on young consumers’ financial stability.