Why Your "Pay in 4" Habit is Secretly Wrecking Your College Budget

You’re scrolling through TikTok at 11:30 PM, and suddenly, you see it: the perfect oversized leather jacket. It’s the vibe. It’s the aesthetic. It’s also $120. Your brain does the "broke college student" math and winces. But then, you see that magical little button at checkout: “4 interest-free payments of $30.” Suddenly, that $120 price tag vanishes. Your brain stops seeing a three-digit dent in your checking account and starts seeing a $30 "treat yourself" moment. You hit "Buy Now," and the dopamine hit is glorious.