debtcare.ca

Category: Debt Relief

  • FAQ: I want to refinance but COVID-19 has ruined my credit?

    With the pandemic causing business closures and layoffs across the country, many individuals feel that their credit score has taken a hit.

    Where to start?

    While the situation might seem gloomy at the moment, your credit may not be as bad you think it is. The first step towards creating a practical plan of action is getting an updated credit report through Equifax or TransUnion.

    If you have equity in your home, it is also recommended to do a quick analysis of your home’s current worth and how much you own in the mortgages.

    Where do you stand in terms of credit?

    When you have your credit report in your hand, you will see that every credit account, for an individual, is assigned a value between R1 to R9. R stands for revolving credit and the numbers 1-9 are account classifications, based on the notes provided by your creditors.

    If you are between R2-R5, your credit score can recover to an R1 position if you are able to make your payments. Though, if there have been habitual late payments or an R9 rating, your credit is damaged for the next 6 years.

    Where does home equity fit in?

    So, your home equity is the value of your home minus the total outstanding debt registered against the title of the property. Lenders use a calculation called Loan-to-Value ratio and lend on the basis of the equity available in your home.

    Hence, it’s really not about bad credit anymore. The value of your equity determines the options you have when it comes to creating a financial plan to repay your overall debt.

    Many banks and institutional lenders that lend to the public will want you to have decent credit and provable income. Decent credit means a 680+ beacon score. Some of these lenders may lend on slightly lesser scores if you have more equity. You can expect to receive a loan of up to 80% of the home value, less the mortgage balance.

    Trust companies, mortgage investment corporations, credit unions, and private lenders will often lend to people who have bad credit or have difficulty proving income because they mainly lend on the basis of equity. You can expect to receive a loan of up to 65%-75% of the home value, less the mortgage balance. Additionally, these lenders typically lend through mortgage brokers.

    What if I owe more?

    If you owe more than 80% of the value of your property (or close to it), refinancing your mortgage may not be an option for you – but that doesn’t mean its game over in terms of dealing with your debt!

    If you are in a financial crisis and you can’t see a path where a lender will loan you the money to pay off your debt – you can look at other options. There are many federally mandated solutions that protect people in debt and prevent creditors from taking action against them.

    A consumer proposal is an excellent example. In a consumer proposal, an arrangement is made with your creditors where they accept often much less than what you owe, over a period of 5 years. The proposal can help you keep your home, freeze the interest, cease collection action, and enable you to make a single monthly payment that you can live with.

    If you are a homeowner struggling with debt, the best thing that you can do is work with a professional who can assess all the options.

    This can’t happen at a bank or a similar financial institution because they strictly adhere to their predefined lending criteria. A debt consulting company, that also arranges financing, is the best way to go because they are able to present all of your options and help you choose the one that will help you deal with the present crisis while considering your future plans.

    At Debt Care, we work with all types of lenders who will lend under all types of circumstances.

    Contact us today for a free consultation on proposals, bankruptcies, and mortgage refinancing. Call 1-888-890-0888 or visit www.debtcare.ca

  • BOC Interest Rate Announcement and Your Lendable Equity: Are They Correlated?

    The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted economies across the globe and the Canadian economy is no different. Economic uncertainty has led to business closures, unemployment, and a decline in real estate activity.

    Looking specifically at the real estate industry, there has been a significant decline in the number of properties sold over the past few months. In fact, according to the Housing Market Outlook, CMHC does not expect housing sales and prices to recover before mid-2021.

    What does the future hold? 

    The decline in Canada’s real estate industry has a direct correlation with the rising rate of unemployment. In May 2020, the unemployment rate was the highest it has been in over four decades! Additionally, many jobs in Canada have disappeared altogether. 

    Ontario alone has lost over one million jobs since the pandemic started. Canada’s national statistics agency reported the loss of over 64,500 jobs, only in the month of May, bringing the provincial unemployment rate to a staggering 13.6%.

    Due to the growing uncertainty and strained budgets, many Canadians have to choose between taking care of current pressing expenses and making debt payments. To top it off, the short-term debt relief that kept them afloat is now ending.

    Therefore, the Canadian government is deploying various fiscal policies, along with lower interest rates, to pave a path for economic recovery. In a recent press release, BOC shared an overnight target rate of 0.25%. As the interest rate continues to remain low, there is an opportunity for you to refinance your mortgage and explore other debt repayment options.

    Assessing your net worth

    A good point to start from would be reassessing your net worth. You can do this by simply deducting your overall debt from the value of your assets. In case, you don’t have a decent credit score (680+) and provable income, you may have to rely on your home equity to clean up your finances.

    Though, in addition to the housing regulations introduced in the recent years, CHMC has announced further tightening of lending standards in June 2020 to protect the housing market during COVID-19. Due to these additional measures and the high unemployment rate, CMHC has forecasted a 9-18% decline in the average house prices over the next year.

    This will impact your loan-to-value (LTV) ratio (the ratio of the loan to the value of your home) and reduce the lendable equity available. As the value of a property decreases it reduces the amount you are able to borrow.

    Plus, if your credit has been bruised or your income was disrupted due to COVID-19, a trust company, a mortgage investment corporation, or a private lender might also be hesitant to lend to you as they base their decision to lend mainly on equity.

    This is why a quick and accurate analysis of equity and credit is absolutely essential at this point in time!

    Planning ahead

    Equipped with the right information you can avoid unpleasant surprises and restructure your debt on better terms.

    Discuss your financial circumstances with a debt counsellor to get guidance and create an actionable plan. Choose an experienced debt counsellor who can connect you to lenders, who have access to federal government programs, to protect you if refinancing is not an option.

    Even if you’re laid off, depending on your equity position, a qualified debt counsellor can still provide solid recommendations. For instance, they may recommend taking out a home equity loan. Home equity loans allow you to consolidate your high-interest debt such as overdrafts and credit cards into a single monthly payment. This not only improves your finances but also enables you to take advantage of lower interest rates and improve your credit rating.

    At DebtCare Canada, we offer a free consultation to discuss debt consolidation and settlement solutions that are right for you.

    Contact us by calling or texting 1-888-890-0888 or visit www.debtcare.ca to learn more.

    You can also find out more about our debt consolidation and financial solutions here: https://debtcare.ca/financial-products/

    The next BOC announcement is scheduled for September 09, 2020.

  • Get Debt Help Without Leaving the House – Here’s How

    In the past, before the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) people might have gone to see a financial consultant in person for debt help or otherwise, but with social distancing in effect, that is not advised right now unless absolutely essential.

    However, debt help is more necessary than ever right now. The impact of COVID-19 has left many Canadians out of work and struggling to pay bills.

    A report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives warns the unemployment rate could rise to 13.5%, the highest level since the Second World War.

    In one week, more than 500,000 Canadians applied for employment insurance (EI). The government is also expecting more than 4 million applicants for the recently announced Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

    While some government help is available — such as emergency caregiver assistance and a wage subsidy for eligible employers — these programs are still rolling out and there may be a waiting period to receive funds. And for many, the assistance provided may not be enough to get by.

    Dealing with Debt to Free Up Finances

    Debt payments take up a large chunk of Canadian budgets. According to Equifax Canada, the average Canadian carries $72,950 in debt. $23,800 of that is non-mortgage debt (which includes credit cards, loans and lines of credit).

    Even carrying a little bit of debt can stretch your budget, especially when your income is reduced. Do you want to be putting your limited income towards credit card payments?

    When every penny counts, it’s better to make that money work for you — instead of using it to repay past expenses.

    The time to deal with debt is now, particularly if you have been laid off or your income has been affected by COVID-19 or otherwise.

    While everyone is frightened and worried (and rightfully so), the current situation and loss of income will allow people to get much lower deals on their debts as their income has been reduced. Most creditors will be accepting any reasonable offer.

    If you wait until your income has returned, the opportunity to have your debt reduced to the same extent will be gone.

    How to Get Debt Help Online

    The key to getting debt help online — without leaving your house — is knowing what you are looking for.

    You want to find:

    • A debt consultant that has an established reputation (meaning you can trust their services — this is especially important when you cannot visit their offices due to social distancing).
    • A debt consultant that works in your part of the country or nationally.
    • A debt consultant set up for remote access — with social distancing, you shouldn’t have to go into an office.
    • A debt consultant that will review all your options.

    We can only speak to our services at DebtCare Canada, but we provide exactly that. We’ve helped thousands of Canadians deal with their debt and get their finances back on track.

    We act solely in your interest to ensure that you get the best possible results by utilizing federal government programs and other financial solutions to help you deal with your debt with dignity.

    Our reputation is trusted and secure. We operate nationally and remain fully functional during the COVID-19 pandemic through remote operations.

    How to Contact DebtCare Canada Remotely:

    We know this is a stressful time and we want to assure you that DebtCare is here for you. If you are struggling, please reach out. 

    You can also follow us for regular information related to dealing with your finances during COVID-19 and beyond. DebtCare is on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

    Learn more about our services at https://debtcare.ca/.

  • COVID-19 Income and Debt Help for Canadians

    The past two weeks have been a non-stop train of breaking news as Canada copes with the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

    This public health pandemic is affecting many across the country — both medically and financially.

    In order to “flatten the curve” and reduce the risk of infection, many businesses and public services have been suspended, including in some provinces:

    • Public and private school closures.
    • Daycare closures.
    • Eat-in restaurant closures (take-out and delivery are still available).
    • Temporary closure of non-essential businesses, such as clothing retailers.
    • Temporary closure of public event spaces, such as movie theatres.
    • The list goes on…

    While all of these measures are meant to reduce COVID-19 risk and pressure on our healthcare systems, it has created another challenge: financial difficulties.

    Many Canadians are now out of work, or unable to work due to the need for childcare or caring for those who are ill. While some are working from home, not everyone has that opportunity.

    Businesses are also feeling the loss of income, and some have had to lay off employees temporarily.

    While public safety is essential, there is no denying the challenge this has had on the Canadian economy — and that’s where emergency relief comes in.

    Emergency Response Package

    On March 18, 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an economic aid package of $82 billion. This includes:

    • A temporary boost to Canada Child Benefit payments.
    • A new Emergency Care Benefit of up to $900 biweekly, up to 15 weeks, to provide income support to workers who have to stay home and don’t qualify for paid sick leave or employment insurance (EI). This includes those who are self-employed.
    • A new Emergency Support Benefit to provide up to $5 billion in support to workers who are not eligible for EI and who are facing unemployment.
    • A six-month, interest-free reprieve on student loan payments.
    • The income tax deadline has been extended to June 1, 2020 and taxpayers can defer tax payments until August 31.
    • And more.

    Mortgage Payments Deferrals

    The Big 6 Banks announced on March 17 and 18 that they are taking measures to support customers on a case-by-case basis to provide solutions, including up to a six-month payment deferral for mortgages and the opportunity for relief on other credit products.

    This is meant to help those who are facing challenges due to COVID-19, such as pay disruption, childcare disruption, or illness.

    Customers are encouraged to reach out to their lenders to ask what assistance there is for them.

    Bank of Canada Interest Rate

    On March 13, 2020, the Bank of Canada announced an emergency interest rate cut to 0.75% — the lowest that it has been since 2017.

    “It is clear that the spread of the coronavirus is having serious consequences for Canadian families, and for Canada’s economy,” the Bank said.

    The next Canadian interest rate announcement is scheduled for April 15, 2020. Economists are predicting the interest rate will be cut again.

    The lower interest rate means that credit is easier to secure — and is especially helpful for variable-rate debts, such as variable-rate mortgages, credit cards, or unsecured lines of credit.

    Putting It All Together — and Dealing with Debt

    Let’s talk for a moment about the impact of all of this. While these are good measures temporarily, we must acknowledge that they are not necessarily long-term solutions.

    For people relying on a certain amount of income to meet their bills, $900 biweekly is likely not enough to cover their expenses.

    And then there is the matter of deferrals — whether that be deferring mortgage payments, student loans, income tax payment, or otherwise.

    These payments will still need to be made eventually. Some of the details have yet to be confirmed, but consumers need to be aware that these payments are not just disappearing. These methods are meant to give you time to get the money together, when hopefully the economy is recovered, along with public health.

    But (and there is a big but) the money will still be owed. You will still need to find the funds.

    If you are currently earning less than you usually make due to COVID-19, or have a hard time meeting your bills regardless, other measures may need to be taken to get your finances on track.

    These might include:

    • Creating a budget and tracking expenses.
    • Avoiding taking on more unnecessary debt, such as charging expenses to your credit card.
    • Consolidating debt payments and paying off high-interest debt.
    • Filing for insolvencies, such as bankruptcy or consumer proposal.

    Take the time now to make a plan for your finances during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are on the brink, contact a debt counsellor today.

    Debt can weigh down your lifestyle, particularly when money is tight. If you have $10,000 in credit card debt, those payments can take away from your ability to pay the mortgage or rent, buy groceries, or pay utility bills. When every dollar counts, you don’t want any more than necessary going towards your debt payment.

    At DebtCare Canada, we remain available by phone, text, or online across the country. We will talk through your financial options with you and help you find the best path forward for your unique situation during the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise.

    Contact us for a free consultation. Call or text “Help” to 1-888-890-0888 or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • Bankruptcy and Consumer Proposals Rise as Consumer Debt Reaches Record Limits

    Are you struggling with consumer debt? If so, you’re not alone.

    According to BNN Bloomberg, the average Canadian household owes $1.76 for $1 of annual disposable income. The same household devotes $0.15 of every disposable dollar to making principal and interest payments on debt, which is a record high.

    BNN Bloomberg also noted that when you add together consumer credit, mortgage, and non-mortgage debt, Canadians are carrying $2.28 trillion in credit market debt.

    What’s more, beyond just carrying debt, they’re paying the price. The number of insolvencies – bankruptcies and consumer proposals – filed by consumers in 2019 increased from the year before.

    While the numbers for the final quarter of 2019 have not been released yet, as of Q3 2019, Canadian insolvency filings were up to 34,708 — up more than 4,000 over Q3 2018. Of that, the number of bankruptcies rose slightly (from 13,549 to 13,757) and the number of consumer proposal filings rose substantially, going from 16,764 to 20,951.

    Why are more Canadians going into debt?

    According to a survey from Manulife, two in five Canadians believe they will never be debt-free.

    There are many reasons Canadians might currently be struggling with debt. Housing prices are continuing to rise, especially in larger cities like Toronto and Vancouver.

    While interest rates have stayed the same for the past year, the added spikes in 2017 and 2018 still didn’t help for those carrying debt. Some have also speculated that it’s too easy for Canadians to gain access to credit – and spend more than they can afford to pay back.

    For others, job insecurity can be part of it – not enough income to make ends meet. They might be facing job loss, working in a precarious employment situation (like the gig economy) with inconsistent income, or simply not earning enough to afford high housing prices.

    Poor credit habits can hurt your finances, too. While paying only the minimum balance on your credit cards can seem like a good idea, it can actually mean more debt in the long-term.

    Sometimes the moments leading up to major debt troubles are insidious. What can start as a seemingly harmless action can snowball into a much bigger problem.

    What exactly does struggling with debt look like? It could include:

    • Being unable to pay all your bills in full and on time each month.
    • Making only the minimum payments each month.
    • Being unable to make even the minimum payments.
    • Having more debt than income.
    • Always taking out another loan to pay off your old debts, getting into an unsustainable cycle.
    • Relying on credit to pay all your bills because you don’t have enough funds in your bank account.
    • Consistently being unable to afford the items you need to achieve a daily quality of life – pay for groceries, afford your rent, and so on.
    • Living paycheque to paycheque without knowing how you would afford an emergency.
    • And more…

    This might vary depending on your exact circumstances, but any of these could be a precursor to bigger problems down the road.

    How to deal with debt before major damage is done

    The sooner you realize you have a debt issue, the more likely you are to resolve it before major damage is done to your quality of living.

    When you file for insolvency, your credit score takes a big hit. While this is sometimes the best option, and it is possible to recover over time, if you tackle your finances early you minimize the need for this type of action.

    Some steps you can take to resolve problem debt include:

    • Creating a realistic budget and looking for ways to reduce your current expenses, then putting the savings towards paying off your debt.
    • Honestly assessing where your money is currently going and eliminating wasteful spending.
    • Practicing good financial habits, like always paying your bills on time and in full.
    • Not relying on credit. While some use of credit is good for your credit score, you don’t want to be using it because you don’t have the money elsewhere.
    • If you have an income problem, looking for ways to earn more – either through asking for a raise, finding a new job, or getting a part-time job.
    • Seeking out debt consolidation methods, such as mortgage refinancing.

    While filing for insolvency is one option, it’s not the only option – especially if you tackle the problem early.

    In 2020, make your resolution to figure out your finances for good. Debt freedom is possible with a little planning. There’s no point feeling bad about the circumstances that got you into debt. Instead, realize you’re not alone and focus on finding the way out.

    That’s where we come in. At DebtCare Canada, we will assess your situation and make recommendations to deal with debt. We’ll go over your options and create a realistic plan for success.

    Contact us today for a free consultation. Call 1-888-890-0888  or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • Protecting Your Home Through Financial Restructuring

    Having financial troubles can be stressful no matter where you are in life – but it’s doubly so if you own a house.

    There’s a common fear that financial restructuring will mean losing your home. Fortunately, there are ways to protect against this.

    The first thing to do is to make sure that you stay up-to-date with your mortgage payments. If you haven’t defaulted on your mortgage, your chances of keeping your home through a financial crisis increase greatly.

    Let’s look at some of the financial restructuring options you might have when you own your home…

    1. Debt Consolidation

    As long as your mortgage payments are up to date, a debt consolidation loan can be a good way to deal with outstanding unsecured debt.

    Unsecured debt might be credit card bills, lines of credit, your cell phone bill, etc. It is anything not tied to collateral – so your mortgage and car loan would not fall under this umbrella.

    Unsecured debt usually has a high interest rate, making your monthly payments even more expensive. This is where a consolidation loan can help. You can use the money to pay off your unsecured debts, and then pay back the consolidation loan at a fixed interest rate over a manageable schedule.

    You won’t be paying as much in interest, so you can use the extra money to keep your mortgage payments up to date.

    1. Home Equity

    Sometimes your home can actually be a source of income for financial restructuring. If you have equity available, you might be able to use it to pay off your outstanding debts – essentially, this is a form of a consolidation loan.

    Again, this is dependent on your mortgage payments being current and made on time every month.

    1. Filing for a Consumer Proposal

    If you don’t have enough equity available or aren’t eligible for a consolidation loan, filing for a consumer proposal is another option.

    Consumer proposals deal with unsecured debt up to $250,000 (excluding your mortgage). In a consumer proposal, you make an offer to your creditors to settle your debts for less than what you owe. This offer must be accepted by the majority of your creditors and you must be able to prove they’ll get more money than they otherwise would if you filed for bankruptcy.

    In most cases, you can keep your home when you file for a consumer proposal, as your assets remain untouched. Again, this depends on your mortgage payments being kept up to date and is based on you having enough income to continue paying your mortgage after the proposal.

    A good financial advisor will structure your consumer proposal based on equity.

    If you have more than $250,000 in unsecured debt, you might file for another kind of proposal or bankruptcy instead.

    1. Filing for Bankruptcy

    Filing for bankruptcy is where most people fear they will lose their home. This is because in a bankruptcy, assets are often sold to pay off debts – including in some cases your house.

    However, this doesn’t always happen – and you may able to keep your home depending on the amount of equity you have available.

    If:

    • You don’t have much equity (this varies depending on province), and
    • Your mortgage payments are up to date

    your ability to keep your home increases substantially.

    If you do have a lot of equity, you may still be able to keep your home by repaying your equity through borrowing money, or through a second mortgage.

    A good financial advisor, like those at DebtCare Canada, will also help you structure your bankruptcy based on equity.

    1. If You Can’t Afford Your Mortgage…

    As we’ve discussed, keeping your home through financial restructuring largely depends on being able to continue making your mortgage payments.

    If your mortgage is up-to-date, you’re less likely to lose your house. But what if even after consolidating debt and making a budget you don’t have enough income to make your mortgage payments?

    This can be a whole other issue – but it’s important to remember that you still have options. You might need to:

    • Make more income through asking for a raise or getting a second job.
    • Or sell your home and downsize to a smaller mortgage.

    While selling your home may not necessarily be the same thing as keeping it, it can be preferable to losing your home through having it seized. In this option, you would still retain the profits from the sale, and you could use the money to move into another, less expensive property.

    A good financial advisor, like the ones at DebtCare Canada, can help you sort through your financial restructuring options, so your home is protected.

    Contact us today for a free consultation. Call 1-888-890-0888 or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • Two Ways to Get Out of Debt in 5 Years or Less

    What is the best way to get out of debt fast?

    Unfortunately, when it comes to debt there is rarely an easy way out. You likely didn’t get into debt overnight, so it’s going to take some time to regain your financial freedom. But there are options that can significantly speed up the process.

    We’re looking at two of these options: filing for a consumer proposal and securing second mortgage financing. Read on to determine if one would work for you.

    1. Consumer Proposal

    In a consumer proposal, an offer is made to your creditors to repay a portion of what you owe in lieu of the whole payment.

    A consumer proposal is generally termed over five years. It is suitable for someone who is loaded in debt, making minimum payments, has defaulted on debt, or is having problems managing payments. It stops collection action and interest.

    You might be eligible for a consumer proposal if you:

    • Have under $250,000 in debt (excluding your mortgage).
    • Are a higher-income earner who has gotten into a bad financial position.
    • Are a homeowner with some equity available.

    However, filing for a consumer proposal has its downsides, too. For one thing, it can critically affect your credit score, making it extremely difficult to qualify for credit for years after the fact. It must also be filed through a Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT, or formerly known as a bankruptcy trustee) who takes a portion of what you pay. And there is no guarantee that the majority of your creditors will accept your proposal; you have to prove that this option would be more lucrative for them than if you filed for bankruptcy instead.

    If you’re considering filing for a consumer proposal, it’s best to seek the advice of a qualified debt consultant who represents you and isn’t making income off of your consumer proposal.

    1. Second Mortgage Financing

    If you’re a homeowner, securing a second mortgage might be available to you.

    A second mortgage doesn’t affect the first mortgage and it can be amortized over five years to see you out of debt, without stretching out over 25 years like your first mortgage.

    It’s best suited to those with home equity (at least 20% to 30%) and good credit. If your credit score is low, but you have equity, there may still be a lender who can help but it likely won’t be a prime lender.

    A second mortgage can be a good way to consolidate debt, so long as you can make the payments on time. It can allow you to pay off your other outstanding debts and only have one monthly payment. Second mortgages typically carry a higher interest rate than first mortgages, but the rate is still often lower than the interest you might have from credit cards, car lease payments, or unsecured lines of credit.

    If your debt is so large that it couldn’t be paid off with a second mortgage, or you’re not eligible for one, then filing for a consumer proposal might still be your best option.

    You don’t have to assess your financial situation alone. Handle everything in one place and get your financial advice from someone who represents you and can deploy all financial solutions.

    At DebtCare Canada we have financial programs that offer help to people with all types of credit and income. We can help you secure a second mortgage, represent you while filing for a consumer proposal, or explore other debt consolidation options.

    Contact us today for a free consultation. Call 1-888-890-0888.

  • Debt Relief for Seniors: A Health Consideration

    Unfortunately, we’ve been receiving more and more calls from people recently inquiring about debt relief for seniors, as more and more people over the age of 65 head into retirement saddled with debt. With an ever-increasing elderly population and more Canadians than ever carrying huge debt loads, debt relief for seniors facing retirement is a growing concern.

    The Financial Post recently reported that in the last year, the number of Canadians over 65 with debt rose by 4.3 percent, whereas almost every other age group experienced a decrease. Why are seniors racking up so much debt? Even with many home equity lines of credit in the 3% range, it’s easy for seniors to borrow for real estate, renos, or to help their kids, but quickly get in over their heads.

    Seniors now account for 8% of bankruptcies, up from 6% five years ago. The fastest growing risk group among all age groups filing for bankruptcy continues to be seniors. They carry an enormous amount of debt, built up over a lifetime. On average, they owe more than $64,000 in credit card and other debt.

    When seniors carry debt into retirement, they run the risk of not being able to meet payments because generally their income has dropped. This makes it hard to repay existing debt. Seniors then borrow more money to cover their mortgage or credit card bills, eating up a much larger chunk of their fixed, lower income.

    The stress of carrying debt is hard on anyone, but is especially so for seniors who may be more vulnerable to mental and physical health issues. For example, depression is one of the more common consequences of stress among seniors, which can lead to loss of interest in eating.

    Stress can also cause damage to brain cells, and in seniors that can lead to permanent cognitive issues such as memory loss. Not only does stress affect mental health, it can also affect a senior’s physical health too. When we’re stressed, our immune systems are weakened, and in seniors this could mean critical complications, such as catching pnemonia.

    With consumer debt levels rising in Canada, more seniors find themselves facing retirement with high levels of credit card debt, lines of credit, and bank loans. These are serious financial problems that could lead to health issues just as they’re getting ready to enjoy retirement.

    It doesn’t matter how old you are. If you are looking at mounting debt, you need a plan to deal with the situation so you can avoid the impacts of being stressed about your finances.

    If you or an elderly person you know is struggling with debt, find a financial consulting company who specializes in advising on debt relief for seniors so that they can help you enjoy retirement stress free.

    At DebtCare, we can help. Get in touch today by calling 1 (888) 890-0888.

     

  • Is a Consumer Proposal the Right Answer?

    Over the last few years, as Canadian consumer debt levels have risen, many Canadians have found a consumer proposal to be a very viable option for debt relief. When debt becomes overwhelming and payments are being missed, climbing out of the hole can seem impossible. Sometimes a consumer proposal is the best way to get a handle on things and start fresh, but is it always the answer?

    With a consumer proposal, a careful review of your financial situation results in a proposed amount to be repaid to your existing creditors. This number is then presented to the creditors, and the majority must accept. Once accepted, the proposal is legally binding.

    The benefits of a consumer proposal are well known. Once a proposal is accepted by the majority of your creditors and is in place, you no longer have to pay interest, can pay the debt back over 4-5 years, and often have to pay back less than the total owed. Additionally, all debts included in the proposal are combined and so you only have to make one monthly payment. The downside is that your credit will take a hit, but if you’re considering a proposal, this may have already happened.

    As far as how much debt is enough to warrant a consumer proposal, there is no established minimum, but people don’t generally file one unless they owe $8000 or more.

    Sound too good to be true? It isn’t. Really.

    But is it the best option?

    Let’s compare it to another popular debt relief option, a second mortgage. A second mortgage using some of the equity in your home is another great way to get a handle on your debt. Although it involves interest, you can make the term shorter so that the debt is paid off sooner. A second mortgage has the same benefit as a consumer proposal in that it consolidates all your debt into one smaller monthly payment, although it doesn’t reduce the amount of your debt or eliminate the payment of interest. A second mortgage is also much better credit-wise and won’t result in the negative impacts to your credit. Of course, you need equity to go this route, but if you have it, it can be a smart option.

    When it comes to dealing with debt that has grown to an unmanageable amount, a consumer proposal may be the best option, but as you can see, it is worth discussing your financial situation with a financial consultant prior to making a decision to see if any other options are worth pursuing, such as a second mortgage.

    At DebtCare, our goal is to help you find the right debt solution to suit your circumstances, be it a consumer proposal or something else.

    Want to get started? Call us today at 1 (888) 890-0888.

     

  • DebtCare Services May Be Covered Under Your EAP Program

    debtcare-services-ftDid you know that DebtCare Canada is a service provided through many Employee Assistance Programs?

    If you are having trouble rehabilitating your credit report or are struggling with debt and only getting by on minimum payments, you know that these things can take their toll. Financial issues have long been known to impact productivity levels at work, put stress on one’s family, not to mention cause trouble sleeping and constant anxiety which can both lead to overall health issues.

    It is for this reason that DebtCare exists – to help you deal with those financial issues that are keeping you up at night.

    At DebtCare, your consultation and information is completely confidential. Your coverage may include up to 3 hours per year for the following issues:

    Debt Relief Program

    The accumulation of debt usually happens over time, and by the time we finally start to realize the trouble we’ve gotten into, it is too late to turn things around on our own. Thankfully, there are programs out there that can help get rid of that debt and get you back on a strong financial foundation.

    Debt relief programs will:

    • Consolidate your payments into a single monthly payment
    • Reduce your debt up to 70%
    • Stop interest
    • Stop collection action
    • Stop enforcement like frozen bank accounts, wage garnishments and more…

    Loans & Financial Products

    If your credit isn’t quite where you’d like, it can be tough to obtain financing for various items. Even if the bank says no, that shouldn’t be the end of the line – and with DebtCare, it isn’t.

    If you want to consolidate debt, pay off taxes or even finance home renovations or your child’s education, DebtCare offers some of the most competitive financial programs, even when credit is less than stellar.

    Programs:

    • First mortgages
    • Second mortgages
    • Home equity lines of credit
    • GIC loans – credit rebuilder
    • Secured credit cards – credit rebuilder

    Credit Fix Program

    When you have errors on your credit report, these can be major inhibitors to your ability to obtain financing and can significantly impact your credit score. Having them removed can be a hassle, but DebtCare’s credit repair program deals with the following credit issues:

    • Errors on your credit report
    • Old items continuing to report
    • Duplicate items reporting
    • Disputes
    • Past bad credit – late payments, defaults, bankruptcies
    • Rebuilding credit after bad credit history and more…

    If you are interested in learning more about any of these programs or to find out if they are covered.

    Contact DebtCare to find out what services we can offer you – your first consultation is always free. 1-888-890-0888.