Key stat: 61% of Gen Zers feel more financial pressure from the number of payments they manage than from the total amount they owe, compared with 32% of baby boomers, according to a June survey from Spinwheel.

Beyond the chart:

• Gen Z's payment count stacks up fast because installment plans rarely come from one place. Nearly three-quarters (74%) of installment users have transacted with two or more buy now, pay later (BNPL) providers in the past three months, according to PYMNTS Intelligence.
• Meanwhile, more plans means more missed signals. One in 3 BNPL users who rely on the product for monthly expenses and essentials sometimes don't know when their next payment is due, according to PYMNTS Intelligence.

Use this chart: Drop this chart into Gen Z product and messaging reviews to show that simplicity matters as much as savings. Use it in pitches for payment consolidation, autopay, or due-date tracking to argue that fewer bills to juggle can win younger customers faster than lower rates.

Related EMARKETER reports:

• Financial Institutions' Guide to Gen Zers 2026 (EMARKETER subscription required)
• US Buy Now, Pay Later Trends 2026 (EMARKETER subscription required)

Methodology: Data is from the July 2026 Spinwheel report titled "An Overwhelming Opportunity for Better Credit Solutions." 600 US adults were surveyed during June 2-8, 2026.