When it comes to making a purchase of like $500 - $1000, I use affirm. My credit score is 715, and I get a rate of 16% APR. My credit cards won't give me a lower rate than 30%. I only make 1 purchase like this per year. In 2024 I used it to by an electric bike. In 2025 I used it to purchase all the parts I needed to build a new PC. When I do this, I usually have about half of the money for the thing I'm buying already saved.

The fact like services like this are now doing rental payments is absolutely a direct result of the late stage capitalism hellscape caused by ballooning housing prices and stagnant wages. The fact that housing has been turned into a commodity to make rich people richer is disgusting.

All that aside, these services can be a much better alternative to a credit card when used responsibly and you plan well with your budget.