Turned Down for a Consolidation Loan? Here’s What You Can Do
Sep 9, 2024
Debt consolidation can be a smart way to streamline multiple payments and better manage your personal debt, but getting approved for a consolidation loan with good borrowing terms can be much more difficult than many people anticipate. If you’ve been...Read more
Understanding Interest Rates – and Why They Matter if You Have Debt
Oct 2, 2023
Interest rate changes can have significant effects on the average consumer, with rate hikes triggering immediate changes to debt costs and payment requirements. Read on to learn what Canadian consumers should understand about interest rates, including how...Read more
Is Debt Consolidation Good or Bad? Understand the Pros and Cons of Debt Consolidation
Sep 4, 2023
Consolidating your debt can help you streamline your debt payments and ultimately pay off your debts faster – but there are different types of debt consolidation, and pros, cons, and considerations for consumers to be aware of. Read on to learn the ins and...Read more
What Can I Do to Pay Off my Debt?
May 8, 2023
Are you trying to figure out what to do about your debt, or looking for help deciding how best to pay off your debt? You are not alone! Read on to understand the different debt solutions you might consider to help you pay off your debt, and learn where BC...Read more
4 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Credit Counsellor
Apr 11, 2023
When dealing with a debt problem as many as 95% of people don’t seek professional support right away. Once the decision is made to get help, it’s not uncommon for people to feel overwhelmed trying to understand what resources are available, and where to...Read more
What’s the Best Way to Consolidate my Debt?
Dec 12, 2022
Debt consolidation can make it easier for you to pay off your debt, and there are several different types of debt consolidation you might consider. Read on to learn about one of the best ways consumers can consolidate AND cut their debt without paying...Read more
Options for Consumer Debt Relief in BC
Oct 10, 2022
Many people struggling to manage their monthly debt payments or pay off their debt balances in full don’t know where to turn for help. As Licensed Insolvency Trustees, debt help is what we do! Read on to learn about different strategies and resources...Read more
Consolidating Debt with a Consumer Proposal: Step-by-Step
Sep 12, 2022
Making a Consumer Proposal is one of the best ways Canadians can consolidate and cut their debt. Read on to learn about key benefits to Consumer Proposal debt consolidation, how the Consumer Proposal process works in BC, and the steps involved in starting...Read more
What Happens if I Can’t Afford my CERB Repayment?
Jun 9, 2022
Worried about repaying government benefits? You’re not alone. Many Canadian workers and families across the country who received federal support during the COVID-19 pandemic are now carrying a government debt and expected to repay their emergency...Read more
Looking for a Debt Consolidation Loan? Learn Why Borrowing Isn’t Always Best for Consolidating Debt
Feb 21, 2022
Debt consolidation loans are a popular debt management option that many people consider when they want a solution to streamline balances from credit cards, overdrafts and other basic consumer debts. While consolidating debt can provide great benefits and...Read more
What’s the Best Plan for Consolidated Credit Counselling?
Oct 22, 2021
From understanding the differences in debt help professionals to deciphering the ‘fine print’ of the Canadian debt relief industry, the world of debt expertise can be a confusing place for those already overwhelmed trying to solve their challenges with...Read more
Should I Work with a Debt Settlement Agent or Credit Counsellor? What’s the Difference?
Oct 8, 2021
If you’re considering getting professional debt help it’s crucial to make a fully informed decision about the organization or individual you choose to work with before moving ahead. What many BC consumers seeking debt solutions do not realize is how...Read more
What is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee?
Sep 10, 2021
Although tens of thousands of Canadians proceed with formal debt solutions each year, many others who struggle with financial challenges don’t know where to turn for support when it comes to dealing with debt. It is important for consumers to not only be...Read more
Shopping Around to Find Your Best Debt Solution? Here’s What to Consider
Aug 9, 2021
Taking time to research and compare your options can be a sound strategy in many financial situations - from major purchases to borrowing to retirement planning, and, of course, when it comes to seeking a solution to help better manage your debt. The...Read more
How to Better Manage Credit and Debt, and Mistakes Not to Make
Jul 19, 2021
Whether your goal is to establish a good credit history, pay off your debt or boost your credit score, there are many aspects of credit ratings that are misunderstood by Canadians. More importantly, sometimes the actions we think are correct in managing our...Read more
What You Should Know About Co-Signing Debts
Apr 19, 2021
Whether you are considering co-signing a loan with your child, signing up for a joint credit card with your spouse or even signing on to help out a close friend – when it comes to co-signed debt consumers need to be aware of the commitments and...Read more
“It’s All Relative”: Understanding Debt Liability for Couples & Families
Mar 22, 2021
As Licensed Insolvency Trustees it’s common for us to hear from people who are concerned about someone else’s debt problem, or how their own challenges with debt might impact someone else. We often address questions from children worried about their...Read more
How do Consumer Proposals Compare to Debt Consolidation Loans?
Nov 16, 2020
Consumer Proposals are an increasingly popular choice for Canadians seeking to better manage their debts. Known for affordable monthly payments and flexibility, a Consumer Proposal can have many benefits over choosing to consolidate debt with a consolidation...Read more
3 Things You Should Know About Debt Consolidation
Oct 6, 2020
Debt consolidation is often one of the first options people consider when facing debt management decisions, especially for dealing with credit card debt. Many consumers aim for a consolidation to simplify monthly payments, and hopefully even lower the...Read more
BC Consumer Debt Help: Do You Know Your Consolidation Options?
Sep 28, 2020
In the most recent annual BC Consumer Debt Study undertaken by Sands & Associates, roughly 30% of indebted consumers polled said they waited to seek professional debt help because they didn’t know where to seek it – and over 35% of people who later...Read more
Small Business Debt – Basics, Challenges & Solutions
Jun 19, 2020
Are you concerned about the financial health of your business? Considering closing your doors due to a lack of business revenue, or an influx of business debt? Wondering if you should inject more personal assets into your business? You are not...Read more
Debt Management Tips to Help Navigate the COVID-19 Crisis
Apr 3, 2020
As Licensed Insolvency Trustees serving the entire province, the debt help experts at Sands & Associates are no strangers to assisting individuals and businesses in overcoming challenging financial situations – we aid thousands of BC residents each year...Read more
What’s the Difference Between Credit Counselling and Consumer Proposals?
Dec 5, 2019
At a first glance credit counselling programs and Consumer Proposals may sound much the same. Although there are some similarities between these two debt consolidation options, there are also some key differences to understand. Read on for an overview and...Read more
How Does a Licensed Insolvency Trustee Get Paid?
Sep 11, 2019
If you’ve been considering debt management solutions, you’ve likely discovered that there are several options available. You may also have learned that in Canada only one type of debt help professional is legally empowered and endorsed by the federal...Read more
How to Pay Off Credit Card Debt
Aug 19, 2019
Although credit cards are a convenient payment tool and common form of accessing credit, many people end up struggling to clear their credit card balances – sometimes for years or even decades. BC Consumer Debt Studies have shown that credit card bills are...Read more
An Overview of Wage Garnishment in BC
Jun 24, 2019
Wage garnishments or seizures are an extreme collection method that creditors may use to recover money owed to them. Facing a wage garnishment can be incredibly stressful and overwhelming, and many people don’t know what their rights and remedies are in...Read more
Categories
Featured Blogs
How Do I Get a Consumer Proposal Loan?
Jul 10, 2023
Consumer Proposals are a unique solution for Canadians to consolidate and cut their debts, without needing new financing or loans. Read on to understand how filing a Consumer Proposal works, how you can finish a Consumer Proposal early – and why you should...Read more
What Happens When You Can’t Pay Your Debt?
Jul 10, 2019
Money problems often sneak up on consumers, and few people are prepared to face unexpected financial hardships that leave them unable to repay their debts as planned. If you’re worried about being unable to pay your credit cards or other debts, read on to...Read more
