October 26, 2022 - November 8, 2022 Suffolk Zone 5

Your Vote Is Your Voice

By Lisa Scott President of the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County

As a member of the League of Women Voters (LWV), a 102 year old nonpartisan organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, this is my “busy season.” With my LWV colleagues, all volunteers, I speak to groups, answer countless questions, organize and moderate debates, and write articles; all as outreach during election season. Additionally, we encourage all citizens to vote responsibly in every election in which they are eligible, whether that be fire districts, libraries, school districts, local, state or federal. Your vote is your voice and I urge you to use it this Election Day, Tuesday, November 8th. Below is some significant information to keep in mind:

• Be sure you are registered to vote prior to heading to the polls.

• Because of redistricting, mandated by the US Constitution after the (2020) census, some of your district numbers may have changed! You can find your polling place easily on the NYS Board of Elections (BOE) website at www.voterlookup. elections.ny.gov. If you don’t have access to the internet, go to your local public library, where you can find assistance to get on one of their computers. Your information is private.

• You may have applied for an absentee ballot. If you plan to vote this way, the same website allows you to track your ballot to be sure it’s been received and will be counted by your county’s BOE. With a new tracking system now in place, if you have applied for an absentee ballot, but you decide you’d rather vote in person, you will not be able to cast your vote in a machine during early voting or on Election Day. Instead, you’ll be given an “affidavit ballot” and the BOE will check your records

to confirm whether or not your absentee ballot was received. This is to ensure no one’s vote is counted twice.

• This year you’ll be voting for your local member of the House of Representatives, one US Senator, NYS Governor and Lt. Governor and your local member of the NYS Senate and NYS Assembly. In Suffolk County, you’ll also vote for County Comptroller and County Clerk. There may be some local races on the ballot too.

• There is a NYS Environmental Bond proposition on the back of your ballot. If approved, this would allow the NYS Comptroller to issue and sell $4.2million in bonds to be used to fund environmental protection, natural restoration, resiliency, and clean energy projects. This is not a tax, investors buy NYS bonds.

• Suffolk County also has a countywide proposition clarifying the wording of the term limits law and four Suffolk townships have local propositions too. Nassau does not have a county proposition on this year’s ballot.

Please plan ahead; learn about the candidates and know what’s on your ballot. You can visit www.vote411. org, enter your address (no need for your name or personal info) and you will see the offices, candidates, and propositions that will be on the ballot. All candidates were sent questions and given the opportunity to answer them on the site; sometimes candidates refuse to respond, this is indicated. No one ever should be too busy, too disinterested or even too frustrated to vote. Your vote is your hard-earned right, but also your obligation as an American citizen.

Important Contact Information:

Suffolk County Board of Elections: 631-852-4500

Nassau County Board of Elections: 516-571-2411

Ronkonkoma National Junior Honor Society Inducts 42

The Ronkonkoma Middle School chapter of the National Junior Honor Society inducted 42 new members during a traditional candlelighting ceremony on Sept. 28. The ceremony featured words

of wisdom from principal Joseph Licato and advisers Laura-Lee Flynn and Aimee Padavan. Ms. Padavan described being inducted into the society as “the greatest honor” and one that

recognizes the students’ “intrinsic motivation to succeed.”

The inductees were accepted into this prestigious society based on their demonstration of character, citizenship,

scholarship, leadership and service. During the ceremony, officers Dylan Vecchiarello (president), Allison Brenner (vice president), Lia Rewkowski (secretary), Avyukt Yadav (historian) and Sophie

Jamrozek (treasurer) lit corresponding candles for each of the pillars and described the tenets of the society.

The ceremony culminated with each of the inductees being

called individually to the stage and being awarded a certificate of recognition.

Photos courtesy of the Connetquot Central School District

RONKONKOMA NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTS 42 - (From left) Ronkonkoma Middle School Principal Joseph Licato, Board of Education Vice President Milynn Augulis and National Junior Honor Society advisor Laura-Lee Flynn and (right) Board of Education President Jaclyn Napolitano-Furno, advisor Aimee Padavan and Helen B. Duffield Elementary School Principal Lisa Farrell are pictured with 42 newly inducted National Junior Honor Society members.

MIDDLE SCHOOL NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY OFFICERS - (From left, Ronkonkoma Middle School National Junior Honor Society officers include President Dylan Vecchiarello, Vice President Allison Brenner, Secretary Lia Rewkowski, Treasurer Sophie Jamrozek and Historian Avyukt Yadav.

CANDLELIGHTING CEREMONY - During a traditional candlelighting ceremony, 42 new members were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society at Ronkonkoma Middle School.

SOPHIE JAMROZEK LIGHTS THE CANDLE - Ronkonkoma Middle School National Junior Honor Society Treasurer Sophie Jamrozek lit the candle representing the society’s tenet of character.

Suffolk

An

Recognizing that the Town of Brookhaven has the highest rate of opioid related deaths in Suffolk County, Legislator Sarah Anker in partnership with Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich, presented the Substance Misuse Prevention Educational Forum, which took place on October 13th at the Mount Sinai High School. The forum included seasoned presenters who were eager to educate the community to better address the opioid epidemic. Information tables, presentations, Narcan (naloxone) training, and a question and answer segment was also provided. The Narcan training, hosted by the Suffolk County Police Department, included a free Narcan kit and fentanyl test strips.

“With the high rate of fatal opioid overdose in the Town of Brookhaven, one of the most important ways to address this issue is educating our community on addiction prevention and community engagement. This event provided important information for our residents as we continue to deal with the opioid epidemic,” said Legislator Anker.

“One of the most urgent public health challenges we face is the threat of drug addiction and overdose deaths. It was an honor to

work in collaboration with Legislator Sarah Anker and CD1’s Drug Prevention Coalition to educate our youth and community members about substance abuse. I hope that together, we can work towards creating a healthier and safer environment for all,” said Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich.

“There’s no such thing as safe recreational drug use. Fentanyl is popping up in everything. You can’t trust any illegal drug to be what it is purported or labeled to be,” said Mark Murray, Esq., Chief of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Narcotics Bureau. “It’s a contributing factor to the overdose epidemic in Suffolk County. There are people who are ingesting things they didn’t bargain for.”

“Forums like these are critical in providing parents and community members information to keep the young people in their lives safe,” presenter John Venza, LCSWR, LMHC, Vice President, Outreach said.

This forum was presented in partnership with the Suffolk County Addiction Prevention and Support Advisory Panel, Chaired by Legislator Sarah Anker, and the Town of Brookhaven’s Drug Prevention Coalition, CD1, chaired by Town of Brookhaven

Brookhaven Town

Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich. Forum presenters included: Mark Murray, Esq. Chief, Narcotics Bureau, Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office; John Venza, LCSWR, LMHC, Vice President, Outreach; Michelle Schindler, CPP, Prevention Director, YMCA Family Services; Anthony Rizzuto, LMSW, CASAC, Director of Provider Relations at Seafield Center, Founder F.I.S.T. (Families in Support of Treatment) and the Suffolk County Police Department.

“Over 100,000 overdose deaths this year, due to substance use disorder, is a public emergency. Education and empowering individuals, their families and loved ones is a crucial step towards reducing those numbers. Tonight’s forum provided knowledge and resources in efforts to make informed decisions,” Anthony Rizzuto said when asked about the importance of such forums.

Presenter Michelle Schindler, CPP, Prevention Director, YMCA Family Services spoke on healing communities; “By mobilizing the entire community, communities can be transformed. Because prevention does work... Communities with an active coalition consistently show lower rates of substance use than a community without one”.

SUBSTANCE MISUSE PREVENTION EDUCATIONAL FORUM - Pictured above Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker joins presenters and attendees of the Substance Misuse Prevention Educational Forum held at the Mt. Sinai High School.

Michelle then connected this type of community engagement to schools: “Coalition(s) can lift the burden from schools, so they do not have to address substance abuse issues on their own”.

Resource tables were provided by Association for Mental Health & Wellness, HUGS, Inc / The Long Island Addiction Resource Center,

Sunshine Alternative Education and Prevention Center, Eastern Suffolk BOCES, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Dept START Program, Family Service League/LI Prevention Resource Center, North Shore Youth Council, Seafield Center, Family & Childrens Association (THRIVE), National Guard Drug Prevention Task

Force, Western Suffolk BOCES/Aspire High School, Gabriel’s Giving Tree/Families in Support of Treatment (FIST), Outreach, YMCA Family Services, Suffolk County Division of Community Mental Hygiene, and Suffolk County Division of Health Education.

Families Anonymous Virtual Meetings

12-Step support group giving Hope & Strength to parents, family and friends concerned with a loved one’s destructive behavior

caused by Alcohol, Drugs or Related Behavioral Problems is now meeting virtually until further notice.

For further information

e-mail or call: Donna526@aol.com or (631) 589.3790; Diane (631) 587.0966, www. FamiliesAnonymous. org

Middle Country Central School District Community Donates School Supplies

Every year, community members, families, the District’s PTAs, and businesses of the Middle Country Central School District come together to donate school supplies and backpacks to support the District’s students. This year was the first year students received donations from Old Navy, Port Jefferson Elk’s Lodge, and Healing Waters Church. Businesses such as Costco that have donated in the past were also contributors this year. Families of Middle

Country Central School District were able to pick up donated school supplies and backpacks at their school.

“A huge thank you to everyone who donated school supplies and backpacks to support our students,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, Superintendent of Schools. “The Middle Country Central School District has countless supporters and we are so grateful to have our community come together for our students.”

Donations received:

Costco - backpacks Transportationbackpacks, notebooks, markers, and crayons Healing Waters Church - backpacks, binders, crayons, pencils, and pens Community Membersnotebooks, pencils, folders, and erasers

Old Navy - boxes of school supplies, folders, crayons, and erasers

Port Jefferson Elk’s Lodge at Centereach - backpacks, folders, markers, and pencils

School PTAs- boxes of school supplies

MIDDLE COUNTRY CENTRAL SD COMMUNITY DONATES SCHOOL SUPPLIES - Donations from Port Jefferson Elk’s Lodge at Centereach, (left to right) Debra Farkas, Leading Knight and Contact Person, Ted Farkas, Chaplain, John Brigante, District Deputy, Joan Brigante,- Exalted Ruler, Stacey Hendershot, Middle Country Central School District Social Worker, and Elena Baldwin, Jericho Elementary School Principal. Photo courtesy of the Middle Country Central School District

DONATIONS FROM HEALING WATERS CHURCH - Donations from Healing Waters Church, Kenneth Gutmann, Principal of Eugene Auer Elementary School, and Pastor Mary Comiskey of Healing Waters Church. Photo courtesy of the Middle Country Central School District

Connetquot Varsity Sports Teams Are Dezy Strong

Sagamore Middle School Teachers Raise Money For Nation’s Heroes

On Sept. 25, a group of teachers from Sagamore Middle School in the Sachem Central School District participated in the Tunnel to Towers 5K. The event symbolized New York City firefighter Stephen

Siller’s final footsteps from the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers while paying homage to the firefighters, law enforcement officers and civilians who lost their

lives on Sept. 11, 2001. Not only did 10 Sagamore teachers participate in the race, the team raised more than $6,000 ahead of the event to honor U.S. military members and first responders.

Connetquot Named Among Top Schools By Niche.com

Connetquot High School has been recognized as the No. 21 Best Public High School in Suffolk County and the No. 161 Best Public High School in New York State in the newly released Niche.com 2023 rankings. In addition, Connetquot Central School District was ranked as the No. 18 best school district in Suffolk County.

The annual 2023 Best Public High Schools ranking is based on parent

and student reviews and a rigorous analysis of key statistics using data from the U.S. Department of Education, which includes test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality and high school ratings.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lynda G. Adams said the district is extremely proud to receive this recognition and is incredibly proud of the

students, teachers, faculty, parents and community members who support the success of Connetquot High School and the district every day. “This recognition would not be possible without the efforts of the faculty and staff who work closely each day to provide the best possible education for our students and the support of our parents and community,” Dr. Adams said.

TEACHERS RAISE MONEY FOR NATION’S HEROES - Sagamore’s Tunnel to Towers team was made up of staff members April Ackery-Dahn, Dana Benic, Gillian Kolodny, Deborah Moore, Lori Pritchett, Meghan Rossi, Joann Spatola, team captain Vanessa Sullivan, Jennifer Torquato and Tiziano Torquato. Photo courtesy of the Sachem Central School District

SPORTS TEAMS ARE DEZY STRONG - The Connetquot High School field hockey team joined the boys volleyball, cheerleading and kickline teams to raise money for the DezyStrong Foundation. Photo courtesy of the Connetquot Central School District

Long Island’s Largest Halloween Event, The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze!

The Great Jack O’Lantern

Long Island’s

19th

at the beloved Old Bethpage Village Restoration. It began on September 30, 2022 and runs through November 6, 2022. Historic Hudson Valley, which develops and produces the event, is a not-for-profit education organization that owns and operates National Historic Landmarks in New York’s Sleepy Hollow region. Proceeds from ticket purchases will support the education and preservation of Old Bethpage Village Restoration and Historic Hudson Valley. An immersive, familyfriendly event, set to an original soundtrack and

synchronized lighting, this event includes more than 25 elaborate themed exhibits. New this year is:

• The Long Island Hall of Fame - featuring pumpkin portraits of local Long Island icons Billy Joel, Joan Jett, Sue Bird, Dr. J and more

• A galloping, animated Headless Horsemanfeaturing an advanced chase scene of the Horseman flying down the hill

• An elaborate Pumpkin Portal - a 32-foot immersive light experience

• The Old Bethpage Village Restoration’s New York Mutuals Baseball Players – a Halloween tribute to this beloved 19th century baseball team

• The Deep Sea Divers – featuring pumpkin deep sea divers, a humpback whale, turtles, a shark and a squid

• Classic Hollywood Monsters – old-school Hollywood icons haunting a house

• And much more!

Other exhibits include the Pumkin Planetarium, and a magnificent Long Island Lighthouse, which pays homage to Long Island’s Montauk Light. The event has limited capacity and all admissions are by advance purchase timed ticket or FLEX anytime ticket. No tickets are sold on site. Online tickets start at $32 for adults and $24 for children 3-17 and are free for children 2 and under.

Photo Credit: Matteo Raccuglia

Connetquot Varsity Sports Teams Are Dezy Strong

The Connetquot High School boys volleyball, field hockey, cheerleading and kickline teams raised close to $6,000 during a Dezy Day and DezyStrong fundraiser on Sept. 29.

The DezyStrong Foundation is a notfor-profit organization established by Matthew “Dezy” DiStefano, who was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer in 2019.

During his 11- month battle with cancer, Mr. DiStefano, a Connetquot resident, managed to spread the message about the importance of a “Strong Mind Strong Body.” It

was adopted as a mantra among young athletes and the community, as well as the importance of a positive mindset and a healthy lifestyle.

During an evening of

sports, the parents of the student-athletes sold drinks, food, snacks and desserts at a concession stand. There were multiple 50-50 raffles and the field hockey team raffled

off a mum lottery ticket basket. The DezyStrong Foundation also sent a van full of apparel to sell to the community with all proceeds going to the foundation.

DEZYSTRONG FUNDRAISER - Connetquot High School athletes raised close to $6,000 during a DezyStrong fundraiser on Sept. 29. Photo courtesy of the Connetquot Central School District

50-50 RAFFLE - Student-athletes at Connetquot High School raised money for the DezyStrong Foundation with a 50-50 raffle. Photo courtesy of the Connetquot Central School District

FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER - Connetquot High School’s boys volleyball team played DezyStrong during a foundation fundraiser. Photo courtesy of the Connetquot Central School District

Helping You Help Others

By Noelle Lambert

The Charity of the Month for October is Helen Keller Services

Helen Keller Services (HKS), a nonprofit organization with locations across Long Island and the nation, works with thousands of individuals who are blind, have low vision, are DeafBlind or have combined hearing and vision loss to live, work and thrive in their community of choice.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices.

Helen Keller Services, located in Port Washington, recently held its 3rd annual National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) event, celebrating The US Department of Labor’s theme, “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation”, recognizing the vital role people with disabilities play in making the nation’s workforce diverse and inclusive.

“Accessibility to job opportunities affects everyone and should be integral to hiring practices, and not just an afterthought,” said Joseph Melillo, National Business & Employment Relations Specialist at Helen Keller Services. “With equal access, people who are blind, have low vision, or are DeafBlind can unlock their inner ability.”

Highlights of the event included a keynote address from Kathy West-Evans, Director of Business Relations, Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR)/ National Employment Team (NET), and experts who spoke about disability inclusion, use of technology and the talents of the DeafBlind community in the workplace.

“The DeafBlind community is just like the rest of us; they simply communicate differently. And like the rest of us, they have unique gifts and talents to share that can

Long Island Cars “Best Cars on Long Island” CAR SHOW & SWAP MEET Sunday November 6, 2022

make our world a more diverse and vibrant place to work and live,” said Sue Ruzenski, CEO of Helen Keller Services.

Every year, Helen Keller Services spotlights companies that work with the DeafBlind community at its Access-Ability Awards, held in June.

“We recognize leaders who have made it their business to take action and advance accessibility within their companies or organizations and for the people they serve,” said Sue Ruzenski, CEO of Helen Keller Services. “We continue to make progress towards greater accessibility and inclusivity for and among the communities we work with, but there is still a great deal more of work to be done.”

If you would like to get involved with this organization, there are various opportunities to do so! HKS is actively hiring for multiple positions and they’re also accepting new volunteers. Your HKS experience, whether through a paid or volunteer position, will no doubt be rewarding on a personal level. As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to make meaningful connections with blind or DeafBlind individuals, helping to enhance their quality of life and to expand their social circles. Additionally, you can donate to HKS anytime on their website.

To learn more about Helen Keller Services, including their employment, volunteer and donation opportunities, please visit their website, www.helenkeller.org.

On Sunday, November 6th, “Long Island Cars” will present the “Best Cars on Long Island” Car Show & Swap Meet at LICHA at Bald Hill in Farmingville.

Classic and collectible automobiles including street rods, muscle cars, antiques, exotics and imports compete in this judged event with trophies awarded in over fifty classes from stock to modified.

Once again, this final show of the season will include “Long Island Cars” signature Swap

Meet, where vendors will be selling all kinds of auto parts, accessories and collectibles.

If you’re looking to buy a collectible car you’ll want to check out the “Car Corral”, where car owners sell direct to buyers, no commission or fees.

Be sure to mark your calendar for Sunday, November 6th, pack up the family and head over to Bald Hill for a great day. There will be food, refreshments and live entertainment. LICHA at Bald Hill is located at 1 Ski

Run Lane in Farmingville, 11738. L.I.E. 63 North, take County Rd 83 North 1 mile and exit right, follow signs to amphitheater parking lot.

Hours: 8am to 4pm, rain date: November 13th. Admission: $10.00; under 12 years are free; free parking. Show or sell your collectible car with admission. Judged cars and vendors register at the gate between 7am and 10 am. For more information, please call (631)567-5898 or LonglslandCars.com.

PUZZLE ANSWERS:

be

Connetquot Public Library

Start & Early Head Start in Ronkonkoma and St. John Nepomucene Parish Outreach in Bohemia. They will present your donations to children in need. There will be baskets at the Circulation Desk, Children & Family Services Desk, and Adult Services Desk for your generous donations.

VIRTUAL: Case Studies in Genealogy, Wednesday, November 2, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Several case studies covering different time periods and various types of genealogical research

problems will be presented. Each problem will be resolved using different approaches and a variety of sources. Case studies will demonstrate how to use various types of genealogical records together to establish evidence and meet the Genealogical Proof Standard. Library members may register by visiting our website at www. connetquotlibrary.org.

VIRTUAL: Local Eats: Eggplant, Thursday, November 3, 3:30 - 4:30 pm

Learn how to grow

eggplant and about its nutritional benefits. This program will include tips on how to select, store, and prepare eggplants to make tasty meals, snacks, and even dessert! Library members may register by visiting our website at www. connetquotlibrary.org.

VIRTUAL/IN-PERSON: Decked Out In the City: Deco Era Building and NY Glamour, Thursday, November 3, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Step off the sidewalk and back in time to the glamorous twenties. Explore the backdrop of that

romantic and high-living era by joining Deborah Zelcer to view magnificent period lobbies in buildings including 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the Fred F. French Building, the Chanin Building, and the iconic Chrysler and Empire State buildings. This is a Zoom presentation that will be shown in the library or can be viewed from home. Library members may register by visiting our website at www. connetquotlibrary.org.

Jigsaw Puzzle Swap Saturday, November 5, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Take home puzzles from the library’s collection or drop off puzzles of your own to donate (no missing pieces please!). No registration required.

VIRTUAL: Preventing Elder Fraud & Identity Theft, Monday, November 7, 3:00 - 4:30 pm

Many people are unaware of scammers’ tactics and are unprepared to fend off their attacks. People often blame the internet and the technology for identity theft,

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Connetquot Public Library

Continued From 16

but there are other avenues for them to get to you. Join SeniorNet’s free webinar to learn how to recognize scammers and effectively counter them. Library members may register by visiting our website at www. connetquotlibrary.org.

Apple iOS Q&A Tuesday, November 8, 10:00 - 11:00 am

Get information, tips, and

tricks on all things Apple iOS for your iPhone and iPad, including the latest software information. Share your favorite apps and shortcuts with other group members. Bring your questions and we will answer them. No registration required.

Long Island Cares Mobile Outreach Resource Enterprise Wednesday, November 9, 1:30 - 2:30 pm

Long Island Cares will

have a van on site for a three-day supply of food. No identification or library registration required. While supplies last.

Veteran Community Resource Table, Monday, November 14, 3:00 - 5:00 pm

A monthly resource table where you can learn about programs and services available in Suffolk County for veterans and their families. Hosted by

Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project. No registration required.

SNAP Resource Table Wednesday, November 16, 12:00 - 5:00 pm Many families can use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to assist in stretching their food budget, but are unaware that they qualify. Stop by the resource table or call 631-579-7051 to

schedule an appointment with a Nutrition Outreach and Education Program Coordinator to see if you qualify. No registration required.

Oakdale in Newspapers

Part II, Wednesday, November 16, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

In this lecture, we will explore more fascinating old stories about Oakdale that have been recorded in newspapers. During

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the talk, you will also be given some tips on how to search the newspaper databases yourself. No registration required.

Afternoon Movie Thursday, November 17, 2:00 - 4:15 pm

Title to be announced. Check our website at www. connetquotlibrary.org or Facebook page to see what movies we will show. No registration required.

What You May Not Know About Buy Now Pay Later Services

Buy now pay later services are responsible for $100 million in annual transactions and have quickly become a go-to financial tool for millions of Americans. Although these options provide an easier way to make purchases, they aren’t without risks.

“People love the convenience, but there remains a lot of misunderstanding surrounding BNPL services and their impact on people’s financial lives,” said Amy Maliga, a financial educator with Take Charge America, a nonprofit

credit counseling and debt management agency.

“With that confusion, it’s easy to miss the potential risks. That’s why it’s always important to take a closer look at a new service or product — especially ones that make it easier to part with your hard-earned money.”

Before using BNPL services, Maliga says it’s important to keep in mind the following: They are a form of credit. BNPL providers may promote themselves as a simpler way to pay for everyday purchases

without relying on debt or credit, but don’t be fooled: BNPL payments are a type of credit. And if you miss a payment, some services charge late fees or interest. Be cautious when using these services, as you can easily get in over your head.

You’ll likely spend more. There’s a reason retailers aggressively promote BNPL: People tend to spend more using these services. A LendingTree survey found two-thirds of shoppers spent more using BNPL plans than they would have otherwise.

Before completing that

latest purchase, check your budget and bank account. Be sure you can really afford what you’re buying instead of putting yourself at risk of falling into debt.

Inconsistent credit score impacts. Most BNPL providers don’t report on-time payment data to the major credit bureaus, meaning you receive none of the upsides of responsible repayment. However, negative events like missed payments or collections activity, are likely to be reported. This makes it even more critical to make your BNPL payments on

time and avoid missing any.

No consumer protections. Because of BNPL’s standard four-installment payment plans, these services fall outside the purview of the Truth in Lending Act.

Translation: Consumers have no protection from any potential predatory or deceptive lending practices with BNPL providers.

Federal law requires five installments before triggering any regulations.

Feeling overwhelmed by debt? A free, online credit counseling session from Take Charge America can help.

About Take Charge America, Inc.

Founded in 1987, Take Charge America, Inc. is a nonprofit agency offering financial education and counseling services including credit counseling, debt management, student loan counseling, housing counseling and bankruptcy counseling. It has helped more than 2 million consumers nationwide manage their personal finances and debts. To learn more, visit takechargeamerica.org or call (888) 822-9193.