Flexible pay doesn’t kill your paycheck. It’s time to bust the myths.
Flexible pay doesn’t kill your paycheck. It’s time to bust the myths.
Real-time pay is still a new concept for many people, and naturally, we get questions and skepticism when we talk about it. That’s fair. We’ve gotten used to salaries being paid once a month. But when the way we live and work is changing — shouldn’t how we get paid evolve too?
Here are five common myths we at Celeri often hear — and why they don’t match the reality we see among users.
Real-time pay is still a new concept for many people, and naturally, we get questions and skepticism when we talk about it. That’s fair. We’ve gotten used to salaries being paid once a month. But when the way we live and work is changing — shouldn’t how we get paid evolve too?
Here are five common myths we at Celeri often hear — and why they don’t match the reality we see among users.
Christoffer Skoe
Christoffer Skoe
May 8, 2025
May 8, 2025
Kim Humborstad, founder and CEO of Celeri. Photo: Jørgen Skjelsbæk.
Kim Humborstad, founder and CEO of Celeri. Photo: Jørgen Skjelsbæk.
“People won’t be able to pay rent or bills if they get their pay early.”
“People won’t be able to pay rent or bills if they get their pay early.”
This is one of the most common concerns. Many assume that if you get access to your earnings earlier, you’ll spend it all immediately. But that’s not what we see.
According to The Workforce Institute, 72% of employees with flexible pay say they feel more financially secure. We hear the same from our users: they spend more evenly, gain better visibility over their money, and avoid racking up high-interest debt just to cover sudden expenses. Flexible pay gives people more control — not less.
At Celeri, we also recommend that only 50% of earned wages are made available in real-time, so there’s always enough left for major deductions like rent and loans.
This is one of the most common concerns. Many assume that if you get access to your earnings earlier, you’ll spend it all immediately. But that’s not what we see.
According to The Workforce Institute, 72% of employees with flexible pay say they feel more financially secure. We hear the same from our users: they spend more evenly, gain better visibility over their money, and avoid racking up high-interest debt just to cover sudden expenses. Flexible pay gives people more control — not less.
At Celeri, we also recommend that only 50% of earned wages are made available in real-time, so there’s always enough left for major deductions like rent and loans.
“Real-time pay means people lose control and spend everything right away.”
“Real-time pay means people lose control and spend everything right away.”
It might seem logical to think so. But data from the Financial Health Network shows that employees with access to earned wages spend 45% less on payday loans and credit cards. Even more, 68% say they feel more in control of their finances.
That makes sense. When you see what you’ve earned in real-time — and can access what you need — it’s easier to manage your money. No more guessing. No more waiting weeks for payday.
It might seem logical to think so. But data from the Financial Health Network shows that employees with access to earned wages spend 45% less on payday loans and credit cards. Even more, 68% say they feel more in control of their finances.
That makes sense. When you see what you’ve earned in real-time — and can access what you need — it’s easier to manage your money. No more guessing. No more waiting weeks for payday.
“For some reason, we’ve accepted that employers can hold on to our wages — money we’ve already earned — and make us wait four, five, or even six weeks before getting paid. That’s not how it should be. And it doesn’t have to be anymore.” Celeri founder Kim Humborstad.
“For some reason, we’ve accepted that employers can hold on to our wages — money we’ve already earned — and make us wait four, five, or even six weeks before getting paid. That’s not how it should be. And it doesn’t have to be anymore.” Celeri founder Kim Humborstad.
“Real-time pay is just for hourly workers.”
“Real-time pay is just for hourly workers.”
Not true. While it may have started there, today we see real-time pay working for all kinds of employees. Bank of America’s Workplace Benefits Report shows that everyone from part-time workers to specialists and office staff are asking for flexible access to their wages.
This isn’t about income level — it’s about life. For many people, being able to pay a bill on time matters more than waiting for a traditional payday.
Not true. While it may have started there, today we see real-time pay working for all kinds of employees. Bank of America’s Workplace Benefits Report shows that everyone from part-time workers to specialists and office staff are asking for flexible access to their wages.
This isn’t about income level — it’s about life. For many people, being able to pay a bill on time matters more than waiting for a traditional payday.
“Flexible pay creates more work for payroll and stress for employers.”
“Flexible pay creates more work for payroll and stress for employers.”
We hear this one often — but it doesn’t hold up in practice.
Modern payroll tools like Celeri integrate easily with existing systems, making it simple to offer earned wage access. Several leaders we’ve spoken with have told us it’s actually made things easier, not harder.
It also shifts some of the planning responsibility to the employee — and creates calm, not chaos. If you want to keep your best people, stop holding their pay hostage.
We hear this one often — but it doesn’t hold up in practice.
Modern payroll tools like Celeri integrate easily with existing systems, making it simple to offer earned wage access. Several leaders we’ve spoken with have told us it’s actually made things easier, not harder.
It also shifts some of the planning responsibility to the employee — and creates calm, not chaos. If you want to keep your best people, stop holding their pay hostage.
“Isn’t this just an advance or a loan?”
“Isn’t this just an advance or a loan?”
That’s a common misconception — but real-time pay isn’t an advance, and it’s definitely not credit. This is money you’ve already earned. You’re simply getting access to it — without interest, fees, or risk.
Real-time pay doesn’t aim to transform daily life. It just removes the unnecessary waiting.
You’ve done the work. The money should be there when you need it.
Here’s how to set up flexible pay for your team.
That’s a common misconception — but real-time pay isn’t an advance, and it’s definitely not credit. This is money you’ve already earned. You’re simply getting access to it — without interest, fees, or risk.
Real-time pay doesn’t aim to transform daily life. It just removes the unnecessary waiting.
You’ve done the work. The money should be there when you need it.
Here’s how to set up flexible pay for your team.
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