was talking to a friend of mine about budgeting ideas and that sort of thing and I'm helping him out together the basic skeleton of a budget. he sees himself as most do: someone not duped into frivolous spending on credit.

except it comes out that he's spent thousands on music equipment but he doesn't count it as debt because there are no payments for 6 months and it's 0% APR.

I have yet to see one of those retail credit offers that does not have fine print where, once the 6 month/teaser expires, if there is any balance owed, they retroactively calculate interest for the entire amount borrowed and start billing you for that sum as principal.

not to mention, even if the terms aren't predatory as shit, you still owe the money you spent. you've just kicked the can 6 months down the road, I guess assuming you'll have won the lotto or gotten a massive raise?

it fucks me up when people in their 40s in the US don't assume every free, instant money offer isn't some hidden dog fuck.