Sales-speak decoder Sold under many names

Monthly-payment framing

Selling the job by its monthly payment instead of its total price.

What it means for you

A low monthly number can hide a high total and a long, interest-bearing term. It also lets a seller inflate the sticker so a “discount” looks big while you focus on the payment. Always pull the conversation back to the full installed cost before you compare or sign.

Where you'll see it

Alongside financing in an in-home close.

Don't be fooled

A comfortable monthly payment tells you nothing about whether the price is fair — re-anchor on the total.

Also sold as: “just $X a month”

Related terms

Defined by Marc Hanley

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