Let’s assume that you have a sizeable savings account and have gathered $2,000 of your savings for a new TV. You go to the store and discover that the TV you want to buy and the total comes to right at $2,000. You are about to pay cash when you see that the store provides 0% financing for the period of 18 months. If you decide to benefit from the 0% offer (assuming there’s not a deal for paying cash), are you taking on debt although you have enough cash to pay it off at any moment?

I’m aware of the fact that there are all kinds of “what if…” scenarios that could go along with the presented situation. Nevertheless, let’s just assume that you are disciplined enough and would not charge the TV and then go buy something else for your $2,000. What is more, bear in mind that you are not spending money you do not have because we have assumed that you saved up for the TV. To put it simply, you are not purchasing now and paying later.
In my personal opinion, although you are taking on debt, I see nothing wrong with taking advantage of the 0% offer. I think that it really is not a debt if you posses the money to pay it off any time you want but you have decided not to do so. I perceive it as a method for smart people to use debt for their own benefit even though the benefit is relatively small (approximately $91 if you get a 3% interest rate on your savings for a period of 18 months and less if you have to make monthly payments since you will be drawing down your $2,000 over the 18 month period).