From cash-flow squeeze to essentials installment lending Household cash for essential bills fills a revolving-credit tank; when balances hit the limit, overflow moves onto buy-now-pay-later installments that stack, compound fees, and concentrate losses in non-prime borrowers. cost squeeze on essentials bills come due groceries staple food rent largest bill utilities power · water medical dental · care revolving card limit room to borrow at the cap groceries · pay in 4 rent · bi-weekly 0% utilities · Flex · Zip medical · POS loan on essentials installments stack up each looks cheap alone late fee late fee late fee APR climbs repeat borrowing more loans, more fees risk concentrates in non-prime borrowers