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  • Rising Consumer Debt in Canada and the Need for Timely Personal Finance Management

    Rising Consumer Debt in Canada and the Need for Timely Personal Finance Management

    Consumer debt has been increasing over time in Canada.

    Even in 2020, due to a very resilient housing market and applications for new auto loans, total consumer debt went up by 3.8% to $2.041 trillion in the third quarter of the year!

    Equifax Canada shared in-depth insights, drawn from banks and other lenders, in its recent report.

    Some of the key findings included:

    • In Q3 2020, mortgage balances increased by 6.6% compared to the same time in 2019.
    • For the first time, the average new mortgage loan amount surpassed $300,000.
    • In Q3 2020, new auto loans were also up 11.7% compared to the same period in 2019.
    • Average credit card spending was almost back to the pre-COVID levels during this time period.
    • About 12% of new credit products in Q3 2020 were opened by consumers who had some form of deferral on their credit file.

    High levels of consumer debt are not sustainable in the long run because they lead to vulnerabilities not only for individuals but also for the economy as a whole.

    For instance, if you lose your job or are faced with an unexpected expenditure, it will become hard for you to manage your finances as you already have significant debts to pay off. Similarly, for the economy, as a whole, larger debts can create further problems during economic crises.

    This is why it is important to keep a track of your debt-to-income ratios.

    So, once you ascertain that you may need to work on your personal finance management, there are some strategies you can put into place.

    Four of these key strategies for reducing your debt and ultimately become debt-free are shared below:

    I.  Have a comprehensive budget in place. This enables you to monitor your monetary inflows and outflows. You are able to gauge how much total income you are receiving from different sources and how many expenses you have.

    II.  Start small. When it comes to debt reduction, a good way to continue reducing your debt is by taking small steps. This can be by opting for a more cost-effective cell phone plan, preparing home-cooked meals to avoid excessive outdoor dining, and cancelling subscriptions you don’t need.

    III.  Monitor your debts. This can help you identify high interest debts, such as credit cards, and ensure that you’re paying them off sooner or at least making the minimum required payments. If you have multiple types of debts and believe that repayment could be an issue in the future, you can look into consolidating your debts into a single payment.

    IV.  Save. It is important to save. You could either choose to invest in programs such as retirement saving plans or set aside a certain percentage of your salary for savings before you start spending and paying your bills.

    At DebtCare, we are committed to supporting you in financial planning and elimination of debt. We do this by working with you to identify where you should start, what steps you should take when you should take them, the best mix of options for you, and more.

    To date, we’ve helped thousands of Canadians fix their credit, lower their debt, and improve personal financial management. We can help you, too!

    Contact us today for a free consultation to start reducing your personal debt. Call 1-888-890-0888 or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • What’s the ‘Right’ Debt-to-Income Ratio?

    When it comes to managing your personal finances, it is essential to keep a track of your debt-to-income ratio.

    This helps you keep an eye on your debt levels and take corrective measures if your debt seems to be going on an upward trajectory.

    This is particularly true during a global pandemic!

    So, what is the debt-to-income ratio?

    This ratio measures the amount of debt held by a person or household against the amount of disposable income they have.

    It can be calculated monthly or yearly. You just need to add up all your monthly debt payments and then divide them by your gross monthly income to arrive at the monthly ratio.

    Some of the common sources of income and debt are mentioned below:

    • Income

    a)  Total household income;
    b)  Child care benefits;
    c)  And retirement benefits.

    • Debt

    a)   Mortgage;
    b)  Other personal loans;
    c)  Vehicle loans;
    d)  Credit cards;
    e)  And monthly bills.

    A low debt-to-income ratio indicates that you have lesser debt and that’s almost always a good thing.

    Though, how bad is a high debt-to-income ratio?

    Well, an important thing to note is that higher levels of debt can make you financially vulnerable. For instance, if you lose your job or are faced with an unexpected expenditure, it will become hard for you to manage your finances as you already have significant debts to pay off.

    Similarly, high debt-to-income ratios are worrying for policymakers too. In June 2020, Statistics Canada reported that the household credit market debt as a proportion of household disposable income rose to 176.9%.

    High ratios are concerning because high levels of debt can reduce the economy’s ability to withstand economic shocks in the long-run.

    Coming back to personal debt, what is the best debt-to-income ratio?

    While there is no specific number and everyone’s situation is different, it is advisable to keep your debt-to-income ratio below 40%. If the number you calculate is higher than this, it is prudent to get rid of high-interest debt such as credit cards and work towards reducing other types of debt.

    Also, it matters what type of debt you have accumulated over time.

    If your debt is primarily due to a mortgage, on a property that has high equity, that is better than having a debt that’s not backed by an asset.

    If you are unsure of how to manage your debt or are contemplating how to consolidate your debt, a personal debt management plan could be helpful. Working with a debt consultant can enable you to create a tailored plan that helps you gain better control of your finances and maintain a healthy debt-to-income ratio.

    We offer a free consultation to explore what options are available to you.

    To learn more about our services call or text us on 1-888-890-0888 or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • CRA’s Personal Income Tax Debt Collection – All You Need to Know

    This year has been a challenging one for most Canadians. Restrictions continued to evolve and business and individuals, across different provinces, are being impacted.

    The measures put into place to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in job losses and financial distress for many. Even though the government launched multiple programs to support Canadians, debt has continued to accumulate for many.

    While collection action was temporarily halted during the early months of the pandemic, the CRA has now resumed some of its compliance, audit, and collections programs.

    This blog helps answer the most frequently asked questions about personal income tax debt collection so that you can be more prepared when it comes to managing and paying off the tax debt.

    1. Has the tax debt collection resumed?

    Yes, as of September 2020, the CRA has resumed its debt collection activities.

    CRA officials are reconnecting with taxpayers to discuss outstanding payments, gauge their financial standing, and work out payment arrangements, where possible.

    1. Will I receive a call from the CRA?

    Yes, you will be contacted over the phone or via mail. Collections officers or agents from the debt management call centre will be informing you about the balance you owe and evaluating your financial situation.

    1. What can CRA do if I don’t pay my tax liability?

    While no legal actions are being taken (at this point), it is good to know about what actions can CRA take if debts are not repaid in a timely manner.

    Usually, the CRA sends you the notice of assessment or reassessment by mail and waits for 90 days before taking legal action.

    Though, when CRA proceeds with collection action, it will take an aggressive approach. To get the payment, CRA can seize your bank account, garnish your wages and even register a lien on your property.

    1. How should I deal with a CRA collections agent?

    The CRA is known to take a tougher approach than any other agencies. Hence, it is usually more difficult to negotiate favourable terms of payment with the agency.

    Collection officers get you to complete a financial disclosure form and once they have the information, they can use it to take actions such as garnishing your wages. Hence, we don’t ever recommend trying to negotiate with the CRA directly.

    To avoid weakening your case and to negotiate properly, it is important to approach them represented.

    1. How can an experienced debt consultant help?

    When you get notified about your tax debt, reach out to a debt consultant. Debt consultants have years of experience in dealing with CRA and have long-standing partnerships with industry peers.

    An experienced debt consultant can help negotiate a payment arrangement that works for you and the tax department collections agent. If you reach out to a debt consultant as soon as you are notified by the CRA, you can also avoid collection action.

    No matter what your situation is, they enable you to analyze all of your options, discuss various strategies for repayment, and bring together the resources you need to resolve your debt issues.

    At DebtCare, we work with you to create an action plan that not only reduces but ultimately eliminates your debt.

    Contact us today to learn about one of the only programs that can resolve a CRA back tax problem and get a free consultation. Call us on 1-888-890-0888 or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • Facing Bankruptcy During COVID-19? There are Other Options too.

    If you are faced with tough financial decisions, bankruptcy can seem like the option that will reduce the burden of debt.

    As Bankruptcy Canada puts it, in simplest terms, in personal bankruptcy, you assign everything you own to a Licensed Insolvency Trustee in exchange for the elimination of your debts.

    While many individuals and companies file for bankruptcies, particularly during financial crises, bankruptcies come with their own challenges.

    To begin with, bankruptcy is expensive and can have personal implications if the debt carries director’s liability – such as unpaid source deductions and GST/HST liabilities.

    Also, when you file for bankruptcy, the trustee involved does not represent you. The trustee is an impartial court appointed officer, who has to look out for both your and your creditors’ interests. So, it is always recommended to work with a debt consultant, who can support you through the process.

    Lastly, bankruptcies are likely to cause your credit score to drop to the lowest possible rating at most Canadian credit bureaus.

    This is why it is important to evaluate other options available to you as well.

    Some of these options can not only help you retain your assets but also save your credit rating.

    Mortgage refinancing, for instance, is a popular way to get out of debt.

    When you’re looking to reduce your debt load, having equity can be incredibly beneficial. If you own a home, you can use available equity to consolidate your debts into one payment. This is an effective way to quickly deal with high-interest debt while managing your budget and minimizing the negative impact on your credit score.

    When you have to make one fixed payment on a fixed schedule, it is easier to keep track of what you owe.

    Additionally, given the all-time low interest rates, you could save money on your monthly mortgage payments if you bought your home at a time when interest rates were higher.

    If you do not have home equity, consumer proposals can be a viable option especially when you are facing collection action and have unsecured, non-mortgage debts between $8,000 to $250,000.

    It is a proposal made to your creditors, where your creditors agree to accept a single payment representing a percentage of your overall debt, that you repay monthly, normally over a term of 5 years.

    This helps in consolidating your debt, preventing collection action, and protecting your assets.

    While your credit score does take a hit after you file for a consumer proposal, this is usually temporary. Two years after your proposal is paid in full, your credit score can bounce back.

    Deciding what works for you depends on the level of debt you need to pay off, the worth of your assets, and your current financial standing.

    At DebtCare, we review all these aspects and propose a plan of action that helps you eliminate your debt on terms that are favourable for you. So, if you’re facing insolvency, contact us today for a free consultation on 1-888-890-0888 or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • The Complete Guide to Credit Repair for Real Estate Investors

    The importance of a good credit score should never be overlooked or taken lightly. This is more trying for real estate investors. A high credit score means better offers, deals, and money-saving options, which would provide a real estate investor many options to finance properties and manage the mortgage lending process.

    In this blog, we will talk about the impact of credit reports on real estate investors, as well as what to do if you have bad credit, how to maximize credit repair, and how to utilize credit repair service. 

    Why credit score matters

    One of the first few things a lender looks at is a person’s credit report. This is vital to them as the report determines the risks of their investment. A credit report is essentially a statistical method to identify a person’s chances and ability to pay back the money that they borrow.

    The average credit score for a normal real estate loan is 752. Anything about 760 is already considered top tier, which ensures they get the best rates and most choices from lending companies. It’s also inevitable that they get prioritized during the lending process. 

    However, credit scores that fall below 620 are considered subprime accounts, making it more challenging to find a loan provider that could – or would – provide individuals with a good deal for their loan. This is where credit repair comes in.

    Reasons why you need credit repair

    A credit score doesn’t only matter when it comes to real estate or property investment. Here are some valuable information and other reasons that will inspire you to have or maintain a good credit score:

    Better Interest Rates

    Low credit scores often result in higher interest rates, which would mean property loans would have higher interest charges. Having good credit would give you the chance to enjoy competitive interest rates, as well as save on the interest you need to pay.

    Avoid Debt Collector Harassment

    One of the most stressful parts about being in debt is the harassment from debt collectors that come with it. This is inevitable as these agents will do everything they can to get you to clear your debts, such as balances on credit cards. There’s a good chance that if you don’t clear out the issue, your account will be passed on from one collector to another, multiple agents will have your information, and you’d go through the entire collection process all over again.

    Less (or No) Reliance on Co-Signers

    When you apply for a loan but have bad credit, creditors would often require you to provide a co-signer, such as a family member or friend, before you can proceed with your application. But keep in mind, by doing so, you’re putting financial—and perhaps even legal—pressure on them.

    Fund Your Startup Business

    A lot of entrepreneurs looking to start their new business often rely on small business loans to get their venture off the ground. Like with any other loan type, having bad credit can hinder you from getting the funds you require for your startup.

    Rent or Lease an Apartment

    For people who are not yet ready to buy real estate, renting an apartment is the better—and more common—option. However, more landlords are now becoming more particular with who they take on as tenants. Because of this, they’re now performing credit checks to determine the odds of possible late payment from tenants.

    Buy a New House

    Now to the big one—home ownership. This is the dream for most people. Unfortunately, not everyone gets the chance to achieve this due to bad credit. Most banks will reject applicants with disappointing credit, and in the case that they will give these borrowers a chance, they might find the high-interest rate difficult to deal with. However, for those who are looking to sell their homes to buy a new one, getting the help of Trusted House Buyers is a must to ensure better prices and hassle-free processes.

    Credit repair tips for real estate investors

    A good credit report is one of the most important things a real estate investor can ever have. This information can amplify an investor’s chances of getting excellent deals when seeking a loan, such as an attractive mortgage and refinancing fee.

    However, not every optimistic future homeowner has a that can easily be approved for loans. There’s a big chunk of real estate investors who currently need help with credit repair. To help resolve this, we’ve listed down a few essential credit repair tips that every real estate investor should look into:

    Get a Copy of Your Credit Report

    Before anything else, you must first get a copy of your credit report from at least three credit bureaus. The biggest credit reporting bureaus in the United States are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Doing so will allow you to assess your score, compare conflicting information, and see how bad the damage is. By seeing and understanding your score, as well as your credit history, you’ll get a good grasp of where to begin to improve your credit.

    The reason why we recommend that you get a credit report from three different credit reporting companies is that banks usually use more than one credit bureau to review personal credit reports and make lending decisions. Unfortunately, not all credit bureaus have the same updated information. Hence, errors such as work history, date of birth, and paid but not removed debts could harm you.

    Dispute Wrong Information

    It’s important to note that everything on your credit report may not entirely be accurate. Compare your report to your financial accounts, documents, and receipts, and go through everything thoroughly. If there are inconsistencies or wrongful late charges, you must address them right away. Don’t be afraid to dispute anything that you think might be an error. Credit bureaus are required to investigate claims and get back to you within 45 days of your notice as part of their dispute process. 

    Avoid Late Payments

    One late payment can have a huge impact on your score, so you must avoid them at all costs. However, if you’ve recently had delays with bills, you can contact the biller and ask that they remove it. Not all companies would agree to this, but you can try offering a regular payment setup in exchange for their consideration on the matter. Strive to avoid this issue altogether by doing your best to pay your bills on time from the get-go.

    Settle or Pay Down Existing Debts

    As we’ve established, your credit history and existing debt make up your score. Paying off credit card loans and other financial backlogs would greatly help your credit repair process. If you can’t pay these off in one go, you can at least ensure that they’re minimized as much as possible to give you a good chance before you apply for financing in real estate.

    Benefits of using a credit repair company

    Credit repair is not a walk in the park. It’s time-consuming and quite stressful, especially if you’re no credit expert. However, the benefits are all worth it. That’s where credit repair companies come in. These credit repair companies are experts in the field of the credit report, credit repair process, and credit repair organizations act.

    Here are the top reasons why using credit repair services are recommended:

    Expert Advice

    A credit repair company can give you expert credit consultation from the very beginning, as well as guide you through the entire credit repair process. Their objective is to get you out of the financial tangle you may be in. They would look into your credit reports, your accounts, and finances to effectively identify the root of your financial problems. Doing so would allow the credit repair company to provide you with tailored solutions, resulting in more productive consultation.

    Professional Approach

    Credit repair companies have no emotional attachments to you or your situation. However cold that sounds, it would allow them to efficiently guide you on how to make payments. It’s also part of their duty to draft policies and strategies to aid you in managing your expenses to ensure you can fix your credit.

    Connection with Creditors

    Credit repair experts often have better relationships with lending companies. This allows them the flexibility to negotiate on a client’s behalf and makes the entire process easier for real estate investors.

    Comprehensive Knowledge of Laws

    In-depth knowledge and understanding of policies and laws allow credit repair companies to help clients get the best chances. A professional credit repair company is well-versed and compliant with laws, such as:

    • The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
    • The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA).
    • The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA).
    • Other consumer financial protection statutes that follow policies of the Federal Trade Commission.

    For those who have good credit, ensuring that it’s maintained at a good standing is important. But for those whose credit reports are at a disadvantage, then focusing on credit repair is a must to ensure you can have the best chances when investing in real estate. Using every strategy to repair your credit is essential that includes trusting a legitimate credit repair company with extensive experience.

    DebtCare Canada has a brand new program that places a representative in your corner – someone with the ability to deal with TransUnion and Equifax and have old items removed from your credit report. When it comes to repairing bad credit, call us for help: 1-888-890-0888.

  • Debt and Divorce: How to Handle Your Finances During a Divorce

    Debt and divorce. How to handle your finances during a divorce isn’t an easy task. Since approximately 38% of marriages end in divorce in Canada, it is no wonder that people want to know how to deal with their own debt and marital debt during divorce. This article will explain your options and comes from the office of a noted debt defense and bankruptcy lawyer in Philadelphia, PA.

    You Are Not Responsible for Your Spouse’s Debt

    Debt and divorceIf your spouse incurred individual debt before or during your marriage, you are not responsible for paying it. In other words, no creditor of your spouse can come after you for their debt.

     

    However, the court may reassign individual debt in the course of the divorce proceedings. For example, if one spouse incurred debt while supporting the other through education or training, the supported spouse may have to pay some of that debt.

     

    A problem arises if someone fails to pay debt per the court order. Then, a creditor will pursue the spouse whose name is on the lending contract. If this is you, it may be prudent to make the monthly minimum payments in order to maintain your good credit, while your lawyer assists you in getting compensation and forcing your ex to pay.

    You and Your Spouse are Jointly and Severally Liable for Marital Debt

    If you incurred debt jointly, you are each responsible for paying the whole amount. While this might not seem fair, creditors may pursue one or the other of you, or both of you, until the debt is paid.

     

    Here is where it can get sticky. The court may order one or the other to pay the joint debt, but if that person fails to pay, the creditor can pursue the other for payment. Look into refinancing joint debt in the name of the person who has accepted responsibility for paying the debt or the person who was ordered by the court to pay. This avoids problems for the other spouse in the future.

     

    For example, the marital home is commonly mortgaged jointly. If one or the other intends to remain in the home, it may be prudent to refinance the home in that person’s name.

    If Possible, Agree on How to Manage Joint Debt Before Divorce

    You both should pull your credit reports from Equifax and TransUnion and, if possible, discuss what debt appears on each. If the divorce is not amicable and you are unable to reach a preliminary agreement about your debt, know that eventually it will be settled but by the court, but in the meantime, things will get messy.

     

    You can take steps to protect yourself financially, such as removing your spouse’s name as an authorized user on any credit accounts, freezing joint accounts, and opening an individual account to deposit your income and pay your expenses.

    What if My Ex Files Bankruptcy?

    Unfortunately, it is common for one or both divorcing spouses to file bankruptcy due to the financial burden of establishing and maintaining two households on the same amount of income used to maintain their single marital household.

     

    If your former spouse files bankruptcy, they will be discharged of most unsecured debt, including any joint credit cards or personal loans, and maybe discharged of secured debt such as a mortgage or a car loan if they surrender the collateral in their bankruptcy case.

     

    What does this mean for you? If your spouse is discharged of any joint debt, the creditor will pursue you for payment even if the court ordered your ex to pay it in your divorce proceedings. Your only recourse at that point is to seek an order from the court for reimbursement for having to ultimately pay that debt.

     

    If you are struggling with joint debt issues during or after your divorce, speak with a professional who specializes in debt management options. If you are struggling with joint debt issues during or after your divorce, speak with a professional who specializes in debt management options. Contact us, for a free consultation, by calling us on 1-888-890-0888 or visiting www.debtcare.ca.

     

    About the Author

    Veronica Baxter is a legal assistant and blogger living and working in the great city of Philadelphia. She frequently works with David Offen, Esq., a busy foreclosure and bankruptcy lawyer in Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.

  • Debt Consolidation 101 – Dealing with CRA Collection Action

    Have you recently received a phone call or a letter from the CRA regarding your existing debt?

    That’s because, as of September 2020, the CRA has resumed its debt collection activities. The CRA has confirmed that it is reconnecting with taxpayers to re-evaluate their respective financial situations and discuss debt repayment options.

    The CRA has also started requesting voluntary repayment of CERB from individuals who have received it but did not meet the eligibility criteria.

    While no legal actions are being taken (at this point), it is good to know about what actions can the CRA take and what options do you have.

    What Happens if You’re Unable to Pay?

    If you have received a notice from the CRA and are unable to repay the debt, CRA is authorized to take certain actions that can have serious financial and/or legal consequences for you.

    As these are unprecedented times and many Canadians are facing financial distress, the CRA has temporarily stopped legal actions.

    For when legal actions do resume, the CRA normally will not take legal action until 90 days after mailing you the notice of assessment or reassessment.

    If you do not make timely payments or agree on a repayment arrangement, the following actions can be taken:

    I. Wage Garnishment

    Wage garnishment is done when tax debt goes unpaid. The CRA uses your federal income, GST/HST credits, and/or income tax refunds to obtain the payments.

    II. Asset Liens

    It is also possible for the CRA to obtain a writ or memorial to seize and sell the assets you own. These include your properties, your vehicles, and other assets.

    III. Third-Party Assessments

    In addition to garnishing wages and seizing assets, the CRA can hold a third party legally responsible to pay your tax debt. These include your spouse, business partner, or even a financial institution.

    Should You Look into Debt Consolidation?

    So, if you’re not able to make the payment and want to avoid further action from the CRA, is debt consolidation a good option?

    To answer this question, let’s define debt consolidation.

    Debt consolidation is when you obtain a new loan or sign-up for a program that helps ‘consolidate’ a number of smaller loans, debts, and/or bills into one, single monthly payment.

    There are a number of options you can look at depending on your situation. For instance, if you have equity in your home, you can obtain a second mortgage. This option offers low interest rates and preserves your credit.

    Obtaining a second mortgage, by leveraging your home equity, is a very practical solution that many homeowners in Canada opt for.

    Though, if a loan is not an option and you have multiple debt payments, you can look into a plan like a Consumer Proposal which can help you consolidate debt payments into one affordable monthly payment and ensure you are debt-free within 5 years.

    At DebtCare, we have created a debt repayment calculator that can help you quickly and easily estimate how you can be out of debt in five years or less!

    The Way Forward

    So, with so many debt consolidation options, which one is right for you? Financial consultants, like DebtCare Canada, can help you analyze all of your options, discuss various strategies for repayment, and bring together the resources you need to resolve your debt issues.

    Remember, when it comes to CRA debt, it is always good to have a proactive rather than a reactive approach.

    Contact us, for a free consultation, by calling us on 1-888-890-0888 or visiting www.debtcare.ca.

  • CERB Ineligibility and Repayment – Actions CRA Can Take in 2021

    If you have received a letter from the CRA regarding Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) ineligibility – you’re not the only one.

    Many Canadians have received letters regarding repayment of CERB for one of the following reasons:

    • Collected CERB payments from both Service Canada and the CRA.
    • Did not meet the minimum income requirement.

    According to CTV News, 441,000 ‘educational’ letters were sent to Canadians by mid-December.

    So, if you have received a letter that states that you may not be eligible, it may be because the CRA has been unable to confirm your eligibility, possibly because you have not filed your taxes in 2019.

    If that’s not the case and you have filed your taxes, you might have to pay the benefit back.

    CERB Repayment and Eligibility

    The reason why there has been some confusion about eligibility is because of what is and what is not considered as ‘income’. For instance, the minimum employment or self-employment income required to be eligible for CERB ($5,000) is net income and not gross income.

    Additionally, the following sources of income are not considered as employment or self-employment income when it comes to CERB:

    • Pension income;
    • Student loans;
    • Employment Insurance payments;
    • Disability benefits;
    • Family support and social assistance payments;
    • Other benefits such as Canada Child Benefit (CCB);
    • And investment Income.

    So, if this criterion is not met, CRA is encouraging individuals to return the benefit they have claimed.

    The process for returning CERB is quite straightforward. If you applied for and received the CERB from the CRA and Service Canada, you can view step-by-step guidelines for repayment here.

    As of mid-December, according to Narcity, the CRA has received almost 1 million returns.

    What Action Can CRA Take?

    If you are unable to repay the benefit, the CRA requires you to contact them and make a payment arrangement.

    While CRA has taken a more relaxed approach to CERB repayments last year and informed individuals to repay the amount voluntarily, if the payments are not made, the CRA may take a tougher approach.

    While a stronger collection action has not been indicated at this point, once this amount gets added to your overall debt with the CRA, it can lead to the agency withholding benefits and credits, imposing penalties, as well as taking other legal actions.

    What Are Your Options? 

    So, when it comes to CERB repayment, you have the following options available to you:

    • Full repayment of the benefit.
    • Making repayment arrangements with the CRA.
    • If you’re unable to make payments and are dealing with additional debt, you can look into filing for bankruptcy or a consumer proposal. This is where a debt consolidation partner can help alleviate your debt burden.

    At DebtCare Canada, we are committed to helping you manage your debt and put strategies in place to become debt-free.

    If you are worried about CERB repayment or would like advice about debt management, you can contact us for a free consultation and an independent review of your financial situation.

    Reach out to us today at 1-888-890-0888 or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • Credit Advice for the New Year: How to Get Out of Debt in 2021?

    Happy New Year!

    A new year is a new start. If you’ve faced some financial challenges last year, now is a good time to take some steps to rebuild your credit score and manage your debt.

    A series of small changes are all you need to bring your credit back on track! Here are some suggested actions you can take:

    1. Get an updated credit report to get a better understanding of your current financial standing.
    2. Create a budget for your expenses and ensure that you’re keeping a close track of your expenditures. This will help you trim down unnecessary spending and identify opportunities for savings.
    3. Always make more than the minimum monthly payments on your credit cards.
    4. In case you have multiple credit cards, try to keep your cards at only 50% of their credit limits or try to pay off and cancel some of these cards.
    5. Settle collection debts and send credit reporting agencies proof of any major developments like paying off a major account or a settlement to ensure that your report is up-to-date.
    6. Lastly, try to avoid taking on additional debt.

    The key to improving your credit score is keeping a close eye on your overall debt and ensuring that you’re paying down each creditor one by one.

    However, if your debt is unmanageable and you’re not able to make these payments, you don’t have to be stressed out. There are other alternatives that you can consider. For instance:

    • If you have equity in your home, you can leverage it to deal with your debt. As interest rates are quite low at the moment, it is worth considering refinancing options.
    • You can also look into a second mortgage. These mortgages are provided on the basis of equity and not your credit and income. So, if your credit is bruised or you are self-employed, this may be a good option for you.
    • Even if there isn’t enough equity to refinance, you can always rely on government-approved debt settlement programs, such as a consumer proposal. It is a proposal made to your creditors, where your creditors agree to accept a single payment representing a percentage of your overall debt, that you repay monthly, normally over a term of 5 years.

    No matter what your financial situation is, you can count on us for credit advice and debt consolidation solutions. Contact us today for a free consultation and start your journey to becoming debt-free! Call or text 1-888-890-0888 or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • Happy Holidays from DebtCare Canada!

    Happy Holidays from all of us at DebtCare Canada!

    2020 has been a difficult year for most of us. It has taught us that it is important to surround ourselves with our loved ones and focus on things that really matter – like our physical and mental well-being.

    As the year draws to a close, we reinforce our commitment to helping and supporting those around us.

    We hope you enjoy this well-deserved break and holiday festivities with your family and friends.

    See you in 2021!