Debt Consolidation & Counselling

4 Ways to Pay Off Credit Card Debts

Aug 19, 2019

With every major bank and big retailer offering consumers a credit card, it’s no surprise that most Canadians have at least one credit card in their wallet. While credit cards can be convenient, not paying your balance in full each month can accumulate a...Read more

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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 the...Read more

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What You Need to Know Before Consolidating Debt

Jun 10, 2019

First off – what do we mean by ‘debt consolidation’? Debt consolidation is a term that you hear a lot, and it typically means that you combine all of your debt into a single monthly payment, rather than paying each of your debts separately each month....Read more

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Comparing Debt Management Plans – Pros and Cons of Consumer Debt Solutions

Apr 15, 2019

Many people feel unsure what to look for, consider, or even where to start when evaluating resources they have to manage debt. Fortunately, you are not alone in navigating these decisions. Every day Licensed Insolvency Trustees help individuals do just this,...Read more

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Why Financial Advisors Need to Know a Debt Expert

Feb 21, 2019

“Knowing is not owing” isn’t just good advice for those in debt; if you’re a specialist in the financial industry, here’s why you should have a Licensed Insolvency Trustee (formerly called Bankruptcy Trustees) within your professional...Read more

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What’s the Difference Between Credit Counselling and Debt Consolidation?

Feb 11, 2019

One of the first debt management tools most people research is a debt consolidation loan. Another debt solution that is a type of debt consolidation is a credit counselling program, often known as a Debt Management Plan (“DMP”). Although both options can...Read more

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What’s the Difference Between Credit Counselling and Bankruptcy?

Nov 5, 2018

This installment in Sands & Associates’ “Ask a Licensed Insolvency Trustee” series compares some of the main differences between credit counselling programs and personal bankruptcy. Q: What’s the difference between credit counselling and...Read more

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What’s the Difference Between Consumer Proposals and Bankruptcy?

Sep 24, 2018

This month’s edition of Sands & Associates’ “Ask a Licensed Insolvency Trustee” series breaks down three key differences in bankruptcy versus Consumer Proposal. Q: What’s the difference between Consumer Proposals and bankruptcy? Although they...Read more

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4 Times Bankruptcy may be a Better Debt Solution than a Consolidation Loan

Sep 4, 2018

Many people considering debt restructuring first turn to debt consolidation loans and think of personal bankruptcy as a ‘last resort’. Here are four types of situations where filing a personal bankruptcy can actually be a better solution than a...Read more

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How Much Does it Cost to File a Consumer Proposal?

Aug 20, 2018

Ask a Licensed Insolvency Trustee! Award-winning BC Licensed Insolvency Trustees Sands & Associates answers questions about debt help, including personal bankruptcy and Consumer Proposals. Q: How much does it cost to file a Consumer Proposal? A: The...Read more

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What Debts will a Consumer Proposal Settle?

Aug 13, 2018

Many people don’t know that they can consolidate almost all their debts in a Consumer Proposal. Unlike traditional or non-profit credit counselling programs, Consumer Proposals can even be used to deal with debt owing to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA),...Read more

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Write-off Debt Without Bankruptcy: Learn about Consumer Proposals

Jun 4, 2018

In Canada there is a legal debt solution besides bankruptcy which offers many benefits - a Consumer Proposal. Although Consumer Proposals are not a new debt management tool, discovering that debt relief is possible without having to file bankruptcy is a...Read more

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How Does Debt Management Affect Credit Ratings?

May 14, 2018

Award-winning Licensed Insolvency Trustees Sands & Associates answer commonly-asked questions about debt help in BC. Q:  How does debt management affect credit ratings? A:  There are several possible debt management options available to consumers,...Read more

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3 Types of Debt Consolidation in Canada

Mar 5, 2018

Many people find it’s difficult to pay off debt when they are juggling multiple creditors and debt payments monthly, each with their own set of fees and interest charges. If debt consolidation is a debt management tool you are considering, you may be...Read more

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What Debts Can a Licensed Insolvency Trustee Help With?

Feb 19, 2018

BC Licensed Insolvency Trustees Sands & Associates answers your questions about how to get out of debt using options such as debt consolidation, Consumer Proposals, and personal bankruptcy: Q:  What kind of debt can a Licensed Insolvency Trustee help...Read more

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Global News: “I’m in debt. Now what?” – 5 Options to Get Out of Debt

Dec 11, 2017

One of the biggest challenges people face when they find themselves in debt is not knowing what debt options exist to solve the problem.  Sands & Associates Vice-President and Licensed Insolvency Trustee Blair Mantin recently joined Global News BC and...Read more

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Debt Settlement VS. Consumer Proposal

May 8, 2017

Debt settlement is a term that’s been heard more and more the past few years by consumers.  With debt settlement agents advertising heavily it’s no surprise.  As Licensed Insolvency Trustees we’re often asked “what is the difference between debt...Read more

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CTV Morning Live – Ask an Expert: “How to Choose a Debt Advisor”

Oct 19, 2016

Vice-President of Sands & Associates and Licensed Insolvency Trustee Blair Mantin was featured on CTV Morning Live’s segment “Ask an Expert” this morning.  Today’s segment focused on some key questions that consumers should consider when seeking...Read more

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3 Reasons to Manage your Debt Today

May 30, 2016

When people are facing a tough financial situation, it’s common to want to hope for the best and think that circumstances will change, making the money troubles more manageable.  Unfortunately, habitually postponing dealing with debts can have some...Read more

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Announcement: Licensed Insolvency Trustees – New Name, Same Amazing Service

Apr 11, 2016

Late in 2015, the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (OSB) announced upcoming changes to the insolvency professional designation throughout Canada. Effective April 1st, professionals formerly designated as Insolvency or Bankruptcy Trustees are now...Read more

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Bankruptcy Trustees & Proposal Administrators: Fact VS Fiction

Aug 4, 2015

Nowadays there aren’t many taboos left in Canadian society, but one taboo that has persisted over the years is debt. Unfortunately our reluctance to talk about debt often results in a lot of misinformation being taken for truth, particularly where debt...Read more

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Statute of Limitations and Debts in BC

Jul 21, 2014

A group of debt experts from across the country including Blair Mantin, Vice-President and Licensed Insolvency Trustee at Sands & Associates in British Columbia, and Maritimes-based Licensed Insolvency Trustee Scott Marshall of Allan Marshall &...Read more

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Trustee in Bankruptcy Basics

Jun 23, 2014

If you’re considering meeting with a bankruptcy trustee about your debts you probably have a lot of questions about what a trustee does. If you’ve never even heard of a bankruptcy trustee or Consumer Proposal administrator there’s probably even more...Read more

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Mistakes to Avoid When Dealing with Debt

Jun 2, 2014

If you’re taking the plunge and are preparing to deal with your debts head on – kudos!  Tackling financial challenges is often an area many people avoid until they can’t possibly ignore it any longer.  When it comes to debt strategies here are a few...Read more

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But what about my Credit Score?

Oct 21, 2013

Concerns about credit reports and credit scores are very common worries that people mention.  Despite the fact that their debts are causing stress, some individuals are more focused on what the credit bureau thinks of them than what they are facing (often on...Read more

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