Category: Credit Counselling

Posted on

Results are In for Top 5 – Winnipeg 2012 Debt Resolution

We recently asked you, our Manitoba readers, to share your debt resolution for 2012 for a chance to win an Apple iPad.  Our iPad winner is Janice Margelino! We were very happy to meet and present the prize to Janice. We were extremely impressed by her dedication to good saving practices and determination to pay off her student loans!

Also, here are the Top 5 Resolutions we would like to share, as chosen by the contest participants. The choices are listed in descending order from lowest to highest votes.

Number 5. Commitment to save – By creating a budget and cutting your costs you will put yourself in the best position to save in 2012. You can use those savings in the future so that you don’t find yourself in debt again.

Number 4. Follow your budget – A budget is absolutely essential, if you really want to reduce your debt. The key to success is to make sure that the budget is realistic and to stick to it. If your budget comes in over your monthly income, it is time to start looking at where you can cut costs.

Number 3. Pay off student loans – Those students loans are not going to go away on their own. Commit to making regular payments on student loans as part of your overall budget. If you are struggling to meet your payments, speak to your lender to discuss your options.

Number 2. Pay down credit card debt – Credit cards are a quick and convenient way to pay for the things you want. However, they are also a sure way to increase your debt and put a huge dent in your monthly budget. Pay off your highest card balances first and work your way down.

NUMBER ONE. Cut frivolous spending – The top choice for debt resolution, and rightly so, is to cut frivolous spending. This does not necessarily mean going without. Look for cheaper alternatives to your favorites treats. For instance, retro clothing is fashionable at the moment, so why not check out your local thrift stores?

Posted on

Gail Vaz-Oxlade on CJOB

Just one more day until the “You and Your Money” seminar series with Gail Vaz- Oxlade! The host of Princess and Til Debt Do Us Part will be in town for one day only and sharing her valuable insight on personal finances. The seminar will concentrate on debt and the problems associated with carrying debt. As well, Vaz-Oxlade will share some of her most effective and well-tested technique on managing finances and taking back control. Listen to this short interview of Gail on CJOB for a quick preview of what’s to come – http://www.creditaid.ca/en/resources/on-the-air.

The seminar series will be taking place Thursday, February 9th at the CanadInns Polo Park. Information sessions are being held from 2:00 – 5:00pm by financial professionals including Brian Denysuik from CreditAid. Come and get advice from the professionals. Gail’s presentation will take place from 7:30 – 9:00pm. Tickets are available at the door, or by phone 204-254-2595.

Posted on

Money-Smart Kids

Where are the Money-Smart Kids?

If basic, yet essential, information on budgeting, borrowing, saving and investing isn’t learned early in life, most young people will have a huge deficit in this very important life skill when they leave home to live on their own.

Kids need to know the meaning of credit and debt before they get out into the “real” world and begin signing contracts on cellphones and credit cards without knowing the trouble they could be getting into. Too often they find themselves with an overdue bill and no money to cover it.

Parents and schools need to band together to teach our young people the basics (at least) of money management. According to comedian James Cunningham, who has set up a national financial literacy program that is sponsored by the IEF and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization, young people need to know how to save, invest and spend their money.

Cunningham uses humor in his program “Funny Money” to give young people the following three tips regarding money management:

1) Know how much money you have and the sources of your income and write it down. Keeping track of your money allows you to see how much money you make, what you can afford and how long it will take you to pay back a loan based on this income.
2) Take control of your money; don’t let your money control you! This means that before you get a credit card and charge a bunch of purchases, make sure you have some income so you can pay that bill off in full every month.
3) Save some money with every paycheck. You will be surprised at how quickly your money grows and you will love the feeling of taking the money you have saved and buying something outright, rather than making payments on it for the next several months.

Posted on

Tips to Help Kids Understand Debt

In order for children to fully understand finances and how money “works,” they have to learn about debt. The age of your child will determine how you define debt so they can understand.

Make sure you use terms and examples that they are already familiar with.

You can begin with the concept of borrowing something such as a toy from a friend. Explain the need to return the toy to its owner. And if the toy can’t be returned in its original condition then it needs to be replaced by a similar item of equal value. Your child should be able to understand that until that item is replaced, paid for, he is in debt to the person who owned the item.

For the “tween” set you can use real money items and examples. Set up a scenario where your child wants something, a new bicycle, for instance. Write down and discuss the amount of money the bike costs, the amount of money your child has, the amount of money he earns through allowance, or anticipates receiving for a gift, etc.

Talk about whether or not he can “afford” the bike right now, and if he can pay it off within a reasonable amount of time. This discussion will include installment payments where instead of paying back the “loan” with all of their allowance each week, they pay smaller amounts so as to keep some money for their usual “living expenses.” It’s important to work financial terms into the conversation as soon as you child is able to understand them.

Then, actually carry out a transaction. Keep it written down; sign a contract, have them make payments and even set up an amortization schedule so they can see how interest works. Going through this process will give your child an excellent opportunity to learn about personal finances.

Posted on

New Year-New Beginnings – Financial goals

The beginning of a new year is a time to start fresh, make some changes and set some goals.  Now is as good a time as any to evaluate your income, expenses and overall financial health and set some goals.

Here are a few things to look at when it comes to setting financial goals:

Retirement: Depending on your age, retirement can seem like a lifetime away, or it can be right around the corner. No matter your age, now is the time to look at what is available for retirement income, and if it is deemed to be not enough, now is the time to start saving towards that goal.
Insurance: get out your policies, health, life, auto, property, etc. Talk to your agent to see if you are appropriately covered.

Debt Reduction:Consolidate current debt and don’t create more- that means cutting up the credit cards and gaining control of spending.

Savings: Besides controlling spending, you’ll want to amass some savings; typically the interest rate on investments is considerably lower than the interest rate on your line of debt so by saving rather than paying down debt, you’re actually losing money. That’s where you need to strike a balance: you need to invest some, but at the same time reduce the debt.

Additional Income:Think about the possibility of getting a second part time job. If you’re living comfortably on your current income, the income from a second job can go directly on debt or mortgage or into retirement or another fund for education or a trip or an emergency.

Once you set your financial goals, it’s good to revisit them every few months. Six months from you will be motivated to continue your financial plan when you see how well it’s working for you!

Posted on

Is money causing stress in your life?

Is your relationship with money causing stress in your life? If so, then it may be time for some financial therapy. Winnipeg-based psychologist and life coach Dr. Moira Somers specializes in financial psychology, an emerging field that explores people’s relationship with money (and why they may treat it the way that they do).

Dr. Somers maintains that our behaviour towards money may stem from our childhood experiences including exposure to money management beliefs and culture. These beliefs in turn causes many disordered behaviour in our adult lives such as chronic debt, overspending, under-earning and using money as a means (whether consciously or not) to exercise power, control or to fill a void.

You can read more about Dr. Moira Somers in the Winnipeg Free Press article by Carolin Vesely, or visit her website at http://www.moneymindandmeaning.com/.

Posted on

Finance Minister kicks off Financial Literacy Week

Canada’s Finance Minister was in Toronto last week to kick off the Financial Literacy Week.  This initiative is a nationwide campaign aimed at helping Canadians increase their financial knowledge so that they can make more informed decisions when it comes to their personal finances.

Many Canadians have taken advantage of the low interest rates since the recession and the government warns of the dangers of piling on too much debt, and especially at this time.  With a clearer understanding of financial matters and stronger financial literacy, Canadians will have greater control over their own finances and collectively build a more stable economy.

Financial Literacy Week was started in 2009 with that aim in mind.  Many resources are now available online, and events are being held across the country.

Posted on

Low Monthly Payments = Instant Gratification & Longterm Debt

Retailers have learned how to appeal to our desire for instant purchase power. They can easily sell us on how great it would be to own their newest electronic device, kitchen appliance or piece of furniture. They also know that they need to convince us that we can afford this new luxury item, and low monthly payments through a finance plan is one of their favorite ways to do that.

“This can be yours – TODAY, for ONLY $25.00 a month!”

‘I can afford that,’ we think to ourselves, and we sign up for the monthly payments and take home our brand new purchase. A few months later, we do it with something else. Pretty soon, we have several ‘low monthly payments’ that we need to keep up with and balances that are very slow to decrease.

The trouble with these monthly payment plans is that they take so long to pay off. Because you are paying high interest rates on the principal, you may end up paying two or three times the total value of the item you purchased, just so you could have it NOW. What seemed like a small amount of money, when broken down in installment payments, is making the finance companies lots of revenue, and it’s coming out of your pockets.

Although, it may not be as easy to get out of this situation as it was to get into it, it can be done. At Creditaid, we know the ins and outs of this type of financing. We’ve helped plenty of people dealing with too many monthly payments. We’d be happy talk with you about your own personal situation. Ask for a FREE consultation today.

Posted on

Unexpected Repair Bills Can Put You in Hot Water

Owning your own home is something that gives a person a sense of independence and accomplishment. You are no longer paying monthly rent payments on property that doesn’t belong to you. You are building equity in your home instead. When you purchase your home, your mortgage company will generally assess your financial situation to determine whether or not you can afford the payments on the home you are purchasing. They know that it is in their best interest to keep you from purchasing a home you cannot afford.

In spite of this careful financial screening by your mortgage company, financial positions can change after you make the purchase. Even when you are able to make your house payments, there may be little, if any, extra cash for repairs and maintenance to the home you own.

Unfortunately, repairs to your home can’t always be planned for. If your furnace dies in the middle of the winter, you have to replace or repair it. If you have water damage that isn’t covered by your insurance, those repair costs will have to paid by you, the homeowner. These types of unexpected expenses can break a family’s budget that is already stretched to its limits.

If you’ve found yourself in this spot and don’t know how you’re going to get out of this downward financial spiral, Creditaid may be able to help. Contact us for your free consultation.