Canadians may be swimming in debt but help is out there
If you are having trouble paying your bills, a licensed insolvency trustee says you’re not alone.
“We’ve got interest rates on the rise and inflation going up, and we continue to see people struggling with their finances,” said Michelle Statz of Bromwich + Smith, licensed insolvency trustees.
“We see people at all levels of income, all ages and some have experienced life circumstances that are unexpected.”
Statz said she does see people struggling with their budget all the time, and whether they are going to spend money on food or pay their rent or mortgage.
“It’s that and not to mention that they are swimming in debt payments,” she said.
“It’s disconcerting when they have trouble paying their costs or putting food on the table.”
Statz said we are lucky in Canada that there are resources available to help people cope when their budgets are out of control and also help with debt repayment.
“There are always options and bankruptcy is always the last option. It’s really about having a professional look at your budget: what’s realistic, what do you need to live on, and what are your payments?”
She said if the income doesn’t cover your budget and expenses, then you have to take a look at options.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Very expensive lunch': Sask. driver says he got a cellphone ticket for using his points app in the drive-thru
A warning from a Saskatoon driver about using your fast-food app while in the drive-thru line — a trip to get some free lunch cost him a lot more than he bargained for.
Forecast turns favourable in fight against wildfire threatening northern B.C. town
A low-pressure system moving into northern British Columbia is expected to dampen wildfire activity that has forced several thousand people to flee their homes in and around Fort Nelson, the BC Wildfire Service says.
New study shows financial impact of homelessness on our health-care system
A new study out of London, Ont. lays out the cost of the homelessness crisis on our health-care system.
B.C. YouTuber ordered to pay $350K for 'relentless' online defamation campaign
An 'unrepentant' YouTuber has been ordered to pay $350,000 in damages as compensation for a 'relentless' campaign of defamation waged online against a business owner and his company, the B.C. Supreme Court has ruled.
Chief says grave search at B.C. residential school brings things 'full circle'
Chief Robert Michell says relief isn't the right word to describe his reaction as the search begins for unmarked graves at the site of a former residential school he attended in northern British Columbia.
'Endless Shrimp' just one misstep for Red Lobster as it eyes bankruptcy protection
While it's unclear what these closures might mean for the 27 restaurants in Canada, Red Lobster is expected to file for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. this month.
Ontario's 'Crypto King' Aiden Pleterski arrested
Of the $40-million Aiden Pleterski was handed over two years, documents show he invested just over one per cent and instead spent $15.9 million on "his personal lifestyle." The 25-year-old Oshawa, Ont. man was arrested and charged with fraud and money laundering on Tuesday.
Evacuees concerned over conflicting information on Fort Nelson wildfire
Evacuees staying in Fort St. John have expressed concern about how little they are hearing about what is happening in their now deserted city.
Insurance claims skyrocket and tensions remain high after slew of natural disasters
According to new data released by Statistics Canada, the cost of catastrophic insurance claims in Canada between 1983 and 2008 was $400 million each year.