The facts speak for themselves – Canadian households have been getting deeper into debt in recent years, as widely reported by financial columnists who specialize in the economy and who back up their claims with a lot of statistics. Here’s one more for you: the debt-equity ratio of Canadian households (or how much they owe in proportion to how much they own), which was only 66% in 1980 soared to 164% in the fourth quarter of 2013 – an increase of almost 100 percentage points!
Facts like these clearly show that most consumers are in debt and even excessively so – and if you feel you’re in that boat, you’re certainly not alone!
Is it really serious to have a high debt-equity ratio?
Even though your debt-equity ratio is high, you might very well be able to meet all your payments on time and never get into trouble. All the same, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada recommends keeping your debt level at no more than 35-40% of your total income. Above that level, you are vulnerable if interest rates go up, for example, or if you lose your job. In fact, any upheaval in your family, workplace or elsewhere could very well end up exerting enormous pressure on your finances.
What can I do to reduce my debt level?
Simply by asking yourself that question, you’re already on track to regain control over your finances because the first step is always to acknowledge a problem that needs to be solved. Here is a step-by-step approach to dealing with too much debt:
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Acknowledge the problem
Many consumers tend to ignore their financial problems for as long as possible. However, the more you persist in denying the precariousness of your situation, the worse it’s likely to get. That’s why you should take an objective look at your financial situation and be prepared to face reality.
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Identify the cause
It’s crucially important to pinpoint the cause of all your debt. Sometimes this means changing your behavior or who associate with in order to eliminate the source of the problem.
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Work out your budget
As soon as you realize the seriousness of your financial problems, grab your calculator and calculate your budget. Carefully list all your income and expenses.
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Lower your expenses and start economizing
Use your budget to identify the expenses you can lower and even avoid in order to economize; then use the money you’ve saved to pay off your debts more quickly.
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Don’t give in to deceptively “easy” solutions
Watch out for offers along the lines of “Reduce your debts by 70% without declaring bankruptcy.” This is because that kind of message is often only a marketing ploy by some companies to entice you into their offices by fair means or foul!
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Look for help in the right place
Watch out for certain debt management consultants who often charge high fees for their services. This will often increases your debt load rather than lowering it. In fact, the best course of action is to consult a trustee in bankruptcy whose fees are set by government legislation. Or you can go to a not-for-profit budget counselling organization or a family economics service like the ACEFs (associations coopératives d’économie familiale) in Quebec, who can help you to some extent.
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Consult a trustee in bankruptcy
If you still can’t get a handle on your debts, call a trustee in bankruptcy, because their main goal is to help debtors who are at the end of their rope. Trustees in bankruptcy are the only insolvency professionals who are inspected and supervised by the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy, which is a solid guarantee of their integrity. The solutions they will propose will help you get your finances back on track and allow you to make a fresh start. Since the first consultation with Ginsberg Gingras is always free and without any obligation on your part, there’s no reason for you to let your situation get worse.
Managing your debts is not like putting together a piece of furniture from IKEA – you can always skip a step in order to obtain immediate assistance. By consulting a trustee in bankruptcy without delay, you’ll discover a wider range of options.