Tagpersonal debt

Posted June 21, 20221 Comment Consumer Debt

Death, Taxes, and Interest Payments: Part 1

“Nothing in this world is certain except death and taxes.”

Benjamin Franklin said this in 1789, and it’s just as true now as it was then. There’s just one thing I’d add given that the world has changed quite a bit since the 18th century: interest payments. Maybe not as certain, but just as stressful. If I could revise the quote now, I’d make it:

“Paying interest and taxes will be the death of us.”

Posted January 9, 20201 Comment Consumer Debt

Want to pay off debt? Pay less interest!

It’s not a new concept but it is one that is worth remembering and so I will repeat it. If you want to pay off debt, start by paying less interest.

January is usually a tough financial month for most of us. Holiday bill payments, rrsp contributions, property tax bills and if you are self-employed, you probably have to make some sort of business tax or corporate tax payment. If December is the Holiday Season, then January feels like a hangover!

Banks and Credit Card companies love this time of year because this is when we will normally carry a balance and have to pay those crazy interest rates that range from 9% to 25%. Wait, before you get too depressed, there could be a better option. There’s a less expensive way to manage your debt. Continue reading “Want to pay off debt? Pay less interest!”

Good debt and Bad debt - Credit Debt Loan Mortgage

Posted October 24, 20191 Comment Consumer Debt

Good debt and Bad debt…. do we Canadians recognize the difference?

I saw this article from earlier this year about Good debt and Bad debt. Canadian Personal debt levels have now surpassed $2.21 trillion. That’s a big number, should we be concerned? I started to wonder how much of this is Bad debt? Let’s take a closer look at these stats. Continue reading “Good debt and Bad debt…. do we Canadians recognize the difference?”

Posted February 21, 2019 Consumer Debt

Debt Consolidation Tip: Pay less interest!

The beginning of the year is typically tough financially for most of us. Holiday bill payments, RRSP contributions, property tax bills, etc. And, if you’re self-employed, you probably have to make some sort of business tax or corporate tax payment. If December is the Holiday Season, then January and February feel like a hangover!

Banks and credit card companies love this time of year because this is when we’re most likely to carry a balance, forcing us to pay those crazy interest rates that range from 9% to 24%.

But, wait! Before you get too depressed, there may be a better option. There’s a less expensive way to manage your debt.

Continue reading “Debt Consolidation Tip: Pay less interest!”

Posted March 13, 20184 Comments Case study

Credit counselling, Consumer proposal or Bankruptcy… Which option is most favourable?

A couple in their 30s contacts me for a mortgage. They want to buy a new home. She’s a high school teacher and he’s a computer firm manager. Incomes are good. I check their credit.

Let’s stop here for a minute… If they have good credit, an approval is simple and we can provide the clients with several mortgage options.

But let’s assume that this couple ran into some debt and credit issues three years ago… and they made three different choices about how to resolve those credit problems: 1) Credit Counselling; 2) Consumer Proposal; or 3) Bankruptcy. I want to take you through each scenario and show you how long each of these three options affects your ability to finance a home. I bet the results will surprise you! Continue reading “Credit counselling, Consumer proposal or Bankruptcy… Which option is most favourable?”