How did the installment plan affect spending patterns in the 1920s?

The installment plan significantly transformed spending patterns in the 1920s by allowing consumers to make purchases on credit, thereby increasing their ability to buy goods without the need for immediate payment. This led to a surge in consumer spending, particularly on durable goods like automobiles and household appliances, as people could afford to acquire items they might have previously considered too expensive. The ease of credit also fueled a culture of consumerism, contributing to the economic boom of the decade, but it also set the stage for the financial vulnerabilities that would become evident during the Great Depression.