The holidays are fast approaching, and for many Canadian families, that means several weeks of juggling finances and using credit to finance holiday spending. This usually leads to financial stress, which can really put a damper on the seasonal festivities. This year, get a head start with a debt consolidation.

When is the right time to consolidate? It is always best to start the New Year on fresh footing. If 2016 was a year where you accumulated a lot of debt, there are solutions – these solutions vary depending on the amount of debt you have and your personal circumstances. Know that any number of these solutions can help you deal with that stress from holiday spending.

What options are available?

Many people choose to use their home equity to refinance a first mortgage or take out a second mortgage to consolidate debt. This can provide a low monthly payment and involve interest rates far lower than what you are likely paying for credit cards. This is a very viable option that won’t have an overall negative impact on your credit score.

What if you don’t have a home, or own a home but have no equity and are struggling to manage your payments? Or, what if you don’t have the credit necessary to obtain a traditional loan from a financial institution for a regular debt consolidation?

Another option to consolidate debt is a consumer proposal. While a consumer proposal is not a traditional debt consolidation and does badly impact your credit score, it does involve a single, monthly payment that covers all of your debts (excluding your mortgage).

In a consumer proposal, a settlement is negotiated with your creditors. If the majority of your creditors accept the settlement, there are many benefits:

• A single, monthly payment and prefixed repayment term
• Interest stops
• In many cases your debt is reduced and your monthly payment is far less than what you were paying to your creditors
• If your creditors have commenced enforcement action against you, such as freezing your bank account or garnishing your wages – this action will stop as soon as the proposal has been signed

It can be difficult when facing financial challenges to know the right solution. A debt consolidation – whether through traditional channels or through a consumer proposal – is a great way to get things sorted out.

The best thing you can do is work with a financial consultant who is independent and represents you. They can look at all of your financial information, present options and negotiate the solution that best suits your unique situation.

At DebtCare, we can sit with you and discuss all of your options. Don’t let holiday spending stress you out. Get your finances figured out before the New Year and start 2017 off on the right foot.

Get in touch today by calling 1-888-890-0888.