October 14, 2026 (STL.News) The price of a purchase tells you what something costs, but it doesn’t always tell you what you’ll end up paying. That difference matters when a household buys something on credit, chooses an installment plan, or spreads payments over several months. A purchase that initially seems manageable can become a financial burden when repayment costs compete with other monthly expenses. Consumers often judge affordability by checking whether they have enough money for a down payment or whether the advertised monthly installment fits their budget. Neither approach provides a complete picture. Understanding affordability requires looking beyond

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