Adobe Analytics projects that buy now, pay later loans could drive as much as $84 billion in spending in 2024. But the debt shoppers are racking up is basically hidden from credit bureaus, lenders and economists.

Subscription offers are everywhere these days. But can they work when paying later is the whole point?

Easy-to-use services that let shoppers pay in installments are growing in popularity. They can make online shopping more affordable, but they can also get consumers into trouble.