This woman went to Coachella using a payment plan, and she’s not alone — more than 60% of attendees did the same. Here's how to pay for entertainment without borrowing money

Buy now, cry later

It’s not just the three-day desert dance-a-thons that break the bank — these days, concerts in general are giving wallets stage fright. Lima had her eye on a My Chemical Romance concert in Philadelphia this summer, but even logging onto Ticketmaster the moment tickets could be purchased didn’t save her from inflated prices.

"The cheapest ticket wound up being $273, including the payment plan fee, but I went for it," she says. "It was around the holidays, and it just made it easier on my pocketbook."

In 2024, roughly 86.5 million Americans used BNPL services — a 6.92% jump from the previous year, according to Capital One. As ticket prices keep climbing, more fans are leaning on payment plans just to make it through the gates.

For context, a Bruce Springsteen ticket that was $8 back in 1976 would cost about $45 today — adjusted for inflation. Fast forward nearly 50 years to 2024 and the average ticket price has skyrocketed to $150.69, according to Pollstar.

BNPL isn’t just a payment method — for many, it’s become a lifeline to live music.

There are perks — 37.2% of BNPL users say they choose it for the convenience, according to Capital One. Compared to the average $800 traditional installment loan, which is repaid over eight to nine months, BNPL loans average around $135 over six weeks.

Still, just because BNPL makes it easier to attend a concert, that doesn’t mean it makes sense for everyone’s financial situation.

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Financing fun

BNPL services can make experiences feel more accessible, but they’re not without their downsides. While many of these plans have zero interest, a missed payment can trigger late fees and additional charges. What starts as a concert ticket purchase can quickly snowball into a much bigger expense if you lose track of payment schedules.

“While buy now, pay later can be a useful way to spread out the financial impact of a big purchase, it also represents a slippery slope that can lead to overspending,” says Ted Rossman, Senior Industry Analyst of Bankrates.

Rather than financing fun on borrowed money, try building a budget that lets you say yes to life without the financial hangover. Set aside a small portion of your income each month just for concerts, nights out or other experiences that spark joy.

You can even give it a name, like your "fun fund," and treat it with the same respect you would your rent or savings. That way, when the next big event pops up, you’re already covered — no payment plan required.