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Payday is usually accompanied by a moment of calm, just before the debits spirit your money away, when your bank balance is a thing of beauty imbued with endless possibilities.

Things are a little different now. We have to plan for an uncertain future, budget for unforeseen circumstances, and even if we do have a little extra walking around money, the shops only sell essential goods.

While alert level 4 will ease up on some of those restrictions, treating oneself has had to take on a different form.

And let’s get real, it’s been a tough year and we could all use a little retail therapy along with some much-needed hope.

Nowadays, hope and retail therapy go hand in hand. Online retailers, selling the products we love, are still working hard despite the fact that most of them can’t deliver – yet.

But you can still ride the rush of browsing, filling your cart, or buying a voucher, now with the added eager anticipation of celebrating the end of the lockdown, or a lowering of restrictions, with the delivery of something special to your door.

To make things easier on the wallet, you can also take advantage of interest-free buy now, pay later (BNPL) options at checkout.

PayJustNow is South Africa’s first BNPL company, and it’s partnered up with many local, iconic brands.

If you’re coveting a new pair of Veldskoen or a gorgeous leather bag from Freedom of Movement, then you can select the PayJustNow option at checkout and pay your purchase off over three months, in three easy, interest-free instalments.

Zero hidden fees, and zero interest.

They’ll even send you a notification when your payment is due, so that you don’t have to keep track of it yourself.

You can have a look around their extensive list of merchants here.

Once you’ve taken it all in, decided on a voucher, or filled your cart, select PayJustNow as a payment option, take a minute to set up your account, and you’re on your way.

A voucher for something is also a great way to gift friends and family who are celebrating birthdays in isolation.

My nephew turned two today, and while I can’t show up at my brother’s house with the usual haul of gifts, I look forward to the happiness that comes with a belated and unexpected eco-friendly wooden toy once his mom can use the gift card from Make Believe.

Happy interest-free shopping, good people.