Just realized layaway is actually still a thing at some stores, and honestly it's kind of interesting how different it is from BNPL options. Like, with layaway you don't get the item until it's fully paid off, but you also don't take on debt or get credit checked. The tradeoff is the store holds your stuff and you might pay fees if you can't finish payments.

So which stores still do layaway? Apparently Burlington, Hallmark Gold Crown, and Shane Co. are among the few that still offer it. Walmart and Amazon ditched their programs, so layaway's definitely not as common as it used to be. Most people probably don't even know stores still do layaway anymore.

Compared to buy now pay later plans, layaway is slower (weeks to months vs 6-8 weeks) and won't help your credit score even if you pay on time. But if you're someone without a credit card or trying to avoid debt, it could actually work. The catch is you might end up paying more with fees, and if you miss payments, you lose everything.

Honestly, if you're tight on budget for Black Friday, layaway could lock in an item before it sells out. But you might not get it in time for the holidays, and there's always the risk of unexpected expenses messing up your payment plan. Might be worth checking if stores still do layaway near you, but honestly saving up and buying outright or looking for secondhand deals seems less stressful.