The Globe and Mail recently reported on the status of Canadian
consumer debt levels, stating that Canadian household debt continues to grow.
With that said, individuals seem to be obtaining less credit and the Bank of
Canada reports being less concerned about this debt than in years past.
However, a report from
Statistics Canada calculated the average household debt at $164.97 for
every $100 of disposable income, slightly higher than the analysis from 3
months previous. And just because the head bank doesn’t seem too concerned, it
does not mean that Canadian consumer debt levels are not at a record high –
they are.
It has become quite
common over the past several years to hear these reports about Canadian
consumer debt levels no matter where you go. If you are not in debt often these
updates seem irrelevant and are easily pushed aside. However, if you are in
debt these updates can often leave you stressed about your own financial
situation.
If you find yourself
getting shaky or stressed out with each report like this one, it might be time
to recognize that you need some help with reducing your debt. Instead of trying
to ignore the signs that your debt is becoming unmanageable or hoping that if
ignored the problem might go away (it won’t), why not consider working with a
professional to get rid of your debt.
How can a professional
debt consultant help? After an initial consultation which will involve
assessing your debt, your re-payment behaviours, and your monthly income, a
debt consultant will be able to discuss with you the various options which
exist to help you get out of debt. They can also help you to establish a budget
that is realistic while at the same time focusing heavily on repaying the money
that you owe to your creditors.
Some options which may
exist include debt consolidation, consumer proposal or making settlements with
your creditors. All three of these solutions come with their own benefits and
it pays to consult with a professional to best determine which option is the
right one for you. Some might even offer the ability to settle what you owe
with creditors at a much lower amount – saving you money.
If you find yourself
constantly trying to avoid the reports on rising Canadian consumer debt levels,
change your perspective and start looking at it as a motivator to get your own
debt under control.
For more information
about how you can reduce your debt, please contact the professionals at
DebtCare Canada by calling 1-800-890-0888, or visit us online at www.debtcare.ca.
Would love to know how you feel about Credit Unions! Check out Osoyoos Credit Union.
ReplyDelete