According to Statistics Canada the ratio of household debt to personal disposable income in 2011 was 150% up from 66% in 1980.
Did you know that in 2009 two-thirds of Canadian households had outstanding debt that averaged $114,400.
Is a debt repayment plan right for you? Do you need to think about credit card debt consolidation? If you have debt, then the answer is YES to a debt repayment plan more importantly if you are struggling to pay back debt to potentially consolidate.
If you are struggling it is very important to let the people you owe money to know that you are working on paying them back. Let them know you have a plan of action. Creditors want to know they will get their money so communicate with them and tell them. If you don’t they may sell your debt to another company who may charge you a bigger interest rate. Some creditors would rather make something than nothing but the third-party will stop at nothing to get it out of you.
It’s also a good time to mention that at least once a year you should order your free Canadian credit report so you have it in front of you to review. This report will give you a breakdown of the people you owe, that they know of. Only you know the real score!
Once you have finished communicating to the people you owe you need to get down to business. If a piece of paper and pen is your thing, get it out and your credit report if you have it. If you like to use the computer turn it on, you will be documenting every debt that you owe.
Information You Will Need:
- Who you owe the money to?
- How much is the debt?
- What is the minimum payment due each month?
- What is the interest rate?
Increase the payments on the same card balance on the same card to $180 a month and you’ll reduce the length of time to 1.6 years and cost of borrowing the money will fall to $544.
You’ve doubled the payments but reduced the cost and length by almost 3 times.
The same balance but with a 10% interest rate would look like this…
$3000 at 10% with a minimum payment of 3% or $90 would take 3.3 years and cost you $529 in interest.
$3000 at 10% but double the payments to $180 would take 1.6 years and cost you $243 in interest.
This time you doubled the payments but only saw the cost and time frame reduce by approximately half. The impact of reducing you debt is significantly higher by increasing your payments on the higher interest rate card.
You can clearly see which card is giving you more bang for your buck if you pay it off quicker.
Once you finish paying off the highest interest credit card you then take the money you were putting on that card (ex: $90 a month) and apply that to the next highest interest card on your list.
So if on the second highest credit card at 10% you were paying only the minimum monthly balance of $90 now you can pay $180 a month. Some call this the snowball effect where you pay off one debt then apply that money to the next and so on until all your debt is gone. The overall idea is to pay the minimum payment on your debts while focusing on paying one of them down quicker.
If there’s no more debt and your mortgage is paid then save the money in your emergency savings or invest it, plow it into RESP‘s for your children, it’s your choice.
Keep in mind this is not something that is going to be blown away in a short period of time. I imagine it took you time to build all the consumer debt so it will take time to get rid of it. I’m hoping by the end of it you have learned the difference between a “need” and a “want”.
If you can’t balance your budget you have another problem. You need to balance your budget without relying on overtime. You need to get rid of anything in your budget even if that means cable and cell phones. Stop justifying it, justify why you need out of debt.
You can also make/save money to pay down your debt faster by:
- Working extra hours (You should never rely on overtime in your budget though)
- Sell things that you can make a good profit on and put the money on the highest interest credit card
- Hold a garage sale
- Sell your vehicle take the bus
- Get a second job
- Use Coupons
- Shop sales or price match
- Eat in vs Out
Alternatively you could look into debt consolidation loans, but make sure you go over everything with a fine tooth comb.
What is a Debt Consolidation loan?
In a nutshell a debt consolidation loan is a loan where you borrow enough money to pool several debts into one. But it’s a lot more than that so talk to your local bank or financial group. You can also get free debt consolidation help in Canada with a free assessment you can do right online.
Keep in mind if you don’t pay you may risk losing your house depending on the terms and conditions of the loan. Don’t do it if you are not committed. As I always suggest with anything research, and don’t stop until you have all the answers.
Debt Consolidation Example: If you have 7 credit cards that you are struggling to pay then you can pool them all into one loan and have one payment instead of 7.
Other pro’s to debt consolidation besides one payment is potentially a lower interest rate,lower monthly payments,you aren’t spending all that money on interest and having your debt in one place, according to RBC Royal Bank.
Warning…
Sounds great to consolidate your debt but the only problem is if you keep using those credit cards. Put them away, there’s no time to be thinking about adding more debt to debt. You are not free and clear because you consolidate you still owe money.
You have to stop and ask yourself when you are looking to purchase something. If you don’t have the cash to pay for it, why are you buying it? Stop making excuses up or banking on bonuses and overtime or gifts and inheritance. Come on, we are all adults here so play with your money like an adult not like you are playing monopoly. This is the real world and you can lose everything you’ve worked so hard for. No one will want to hear the sob stories and excuses when they are owed money.
Remember you put everything on the line every time you dig a deeper hole of debt. If you can’t give a crap about pulling out of debt one of 2 things may happen or maybe both. You may go bankrupt and you may see your relationship breakdown. It’s not easy for both partners in the relationship but you have to work as a team.
I’m not being insensitive either and for the love of marriage vows not many people stick around when the going gets tough when it comes to money. It’s reality and too many people think it will never happen to them, open your eyes. Money is one of the top reasons people fight and a huge relationship killer.
I urge you not to use credit cards unless you can pay it off at the end of the month. It’s not worth the heartache and stress of debt. Don’t let anyone into your head, not even a sales person because at the end of it, you hold the bill. Don’t let anyone tell you need or want something, you decide and on what terms.
When will you be debt-free? Check here with this free debt reduction planner to see if you are on track.
Keep your goals in check, motivate each other or yourself by writing down your feelings. There is an ending to every debt reduction story, but the ending depends on the owner of the debt. You write the chapters of your life which means you can alter them, so do it. Make the changes today with a debt reduction plan, and be ready to walk the path to debt freedom! You can do this!
Mr. CBB
Come chat with us on Facebook HERE or Twitter Here… it’s all about saving money.. are you In or Out?
Related articles
- Take Note: Mr Cbb’s Top Six Money Wasting Pet Peeves! (canadianbudgetbinder.com)
- How To Say No When You Are On A Budget! (canadianbudgetbinder.com)
- How We Calculate Our Net Worth~Now Calculate Yours! (canadianbudgetbinder.com)
- Do They Offer Debt Management Degrees? (canadianbudgetbinder.com)
- Top Seven Budgeting Mistakes (canadianbudgetbinder.com)
- How We Designed our Budget Step 5- 5S Organization (canadianbudgetbinder.com)
[...] some credit cards and consolidating debt over and over seems like the right thing to do but for others its way out in left field. For those [...]
[...] racked up $20,000 in debt and have decided to do a consolidation loan where the debt gets added to the mortgage. The original mortgage was for $190,000 and the house is [...]
[...] I knew back in 2008 what I know now. I believe I would have considered my options in regards to bankruptcy the moment I had to go on social assistance. At least I wouldn’t have stressed about the debt [...]
[...] In’s and Out’s Of A Debt Reduction Plan (canadianbudgetbinder.com) [...]
[...] and get a grip, their credit score is ruined, creditors are calling or they have to begin a debt repayment plan or worse, [...]
If you are considering a debt consolidation…put those credit cards in a safety deposit box that you can not regularly gain access to & start an emergency fund immediately. Emergencies will come up before your debt is repaid…you need cash to cope with them.
Yep, hide the bloody cards and make like you don’t have them. Sometimes credit just should not be given to people. If you can’t manage a bank account you certainly won’t be able to handle a credit card. It can be a very big mistake even if people think it’s all they have left to survive in this world.
[...] excuse is for the person that has never seriously thought about getting out of debt. Sure, you know it’s a good idea but hey, you have other things to think about, like how to [...]
[...] The In’s and Out’s Of A Debt Reduction Plan! (canadianbudgetbinder.com) [...]
[...] The In’s and Out’s Of A Debt Reduction Plan! (canadianbudgetbinder.com) [...]
[...] parents are happy in their own way with all of their stuff, but the debt from having these things now has put more stress on them than ever before. I’m thankful that [...]
[...] The In’s and Out’s Of A Debt Reduction Plan! (canadianbudgetbinder.com) Rate this:Share this: Pin ItEmailPrintMoreDiggShare on TumblrLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. [...]
[...] The In’s and Out’s Of A Debt Reduction Plan! [...]
[...] The In’s and Out’s Of A Debt Reduction Plan! By Canadian Budget Binder. This is a fantastic post that gives you everything you need to know to get your butt in gear if you have debt and want to get rid of it. [...]
I am glad you mentioned getting a second job. I see so many people in debt that are looking for a way to consolidate their debt or pay one card off with another, but the reality is you need to spend less and earn more. You don’t need tricks, you need to get to work!
I have many actor friends that sit around waiting for the phone to ring while getting deeper and deeper in debt. When work was slow for me, I swallowed my pride and got a job 2 nights a week delivering pizzas rather than go into debt. I used the tips to buy gas and groceries and the small pay check was enough cover a few bills.
How true is that. I’ve had plenty of mates do the same thing.. sit and wait. Life is never handed to us on a gold platter… (unless you are William ha). People need to get off their duff’s and either stop spending so much or make more money. There is no secret to saving money the old fashioned way but spending less… simple! You can tell you were destined to be a money guru just by your get up and go! Good for you, I like mates like that. Motivates me!
Mr. CBB, great information. I am trying to expose my high school students to a little financial reality and I will use some of your tips to help bring it home. Thanks
Great, send them my way on Facebook. I believe finances should be taught in the education system. Our children are our future and the only way to battle the problems in our world with debt and budgets it to teach them young. I wish I learned more about finance in school. I would love feedback as well from your students about what they have learned and how it will help them. Cheers D.. Mr.CBB
I will touch on this subject in June. Will let you know.
Cheers Mate… going to see a post about some chicken thighs with Lemon Agave Glaze you posted.. interested to see what Agave glaze is!!! … Mr.CBB
The Agave is like honey but a little thinner and less sweet. First time I have used it but I will use it more now.
Reading this makes me thankful to not have debt. It is really scary at the thought of being so badly in debt and the stress that must come along with it. Just one more reason for making and sticking to a budget to prevent something like that from happening. Thanks for the info.
Well said Joanna, couldn’t have said it better myself… glad to have you on board with me here at CBB… Cheers Mr.CBB
Your math scares me! lol…It really is crazy to see how much more money you waste on interest when you see Mr CBB’s calculations! I am working very hard at budgeting and trying to get out of debt but I still have MUCH more work to do! I have come to the realization that small steps work better and are less stressful! lol Thank you Mr CBB!
Hi Jen,
Don’t get scared by the math, be empowered to learn as much as you can about helping your situation. I’m glad you have been working on the budget.. I can’t wait to see the outcome of month #1 for you. Keep up the hard work. Mr.CBB
great post & great tips!
Thanks Wendy for dropping in to read my new post and commenting as always.. cheers Mate.. Mr.CBB