Consumer Debt Relief – Your Rights & Resources
Jun 16, 2026
Most consumers faced with unmanageable debt and looming collection actions don’t know what rights and recourse they can access to help their situation. For many people, knowing what rights you have when it comes to debt relief is the first step towards...Read more
New Study Reveals BC Consumers Struggling to Meet Living Expenses Turning to Debt
Feb 2, 2026
Costs of living are now the top cause of problem debt for consumers surveyed in latest BC Consumer Debt Study from Sands & Associates. Sands & Associates’ 2025 BC Consumer Debt Study polled over 2,300 people across British Columbia who...Read more
Latest BC Consumer Debt Study Finds Costs of Living Driving Personal Debt Problems
Jan 19, 2026
Over 1 in 4 consumers polled in the 2025 BC Consumer Debt Study attributed the direct main cause of their debt to using credit for essential costs of living income could not cover – a first in the BC Consumer Debt Study series 13-year...Read more
How to Manage Personal Debt and Finances Through Economic Instability
Jul 7, 2025
If you’re a BC consumer concerned about the effects of economic uncertainties on your personal finances, you’re not alone. For many people who are carrying debt, even a small change can upset a household budget and cause debt to become a serious problem....Read more
Increasing Number of Consumers Turning to Credit for Costs of Living, with Impacts to Mental Health and More – Latest BC Consumer Debt Study
Jan 15, 2024
More than 7 in 10 individuals polled in the 2023 BC Consumer Debt Study said overwhelming stress was how they knew their debts were becoming a problem. Findings from the 2023 BC Consumer Debt Study were released today, presenting a unique exploration of...Read more
How Much Debt is Too Much?
Nov 2, 2023
When most people seem to be carrying debt, just how do you know when you’ve got a problem? BC debt expert and Sands & Associates Licensed Insolvency Trustee Blair Mantin recently joined Global News to share some common warning signs about personal debt...Read more
British Columbians Struggling with Unmanageable Debt as Personal Insolvencies Surge
Jun 7, 2023
If you’re a British Columbian struggling to see the end of your credit card payments or facing an unexpected CERB repayment bill – you’re not alone. Although BC’s first major COVID shutdowns are more than three years behind us, many consumers across...Read more
Dealing with Debt – Global News Features Real Stories from BC Consumers
Feb 27, 2023
Findings from the 2022 BC Consumer Debt Study recently released by Sands & Associates offer unique insights into consumer debt issues in the province, with over 1,400 British Columbians who recently used a legal debt relief process having participated in...Read more
Expert Debt Advice for a Debt-Free Plan
Feb 22, 2023
Money worries are often a daily stress for people struggling to pay off debt and can have serious impacts on day-to-day life. Blair Mantin, President of Sands & Associates, BC’s largest firm of Licensed Insolvency Trustees dedicated to consumer debt...Read more
Does Debt Impact Mental Health? Latest BC Consumer Debt Study Says Emotional Burden Can Be Substantial
Jan 16, 2023
Almost 4 in 5 people polled in the 2022 BC Consumer Debt Study said their mental health suffered being in debt. Findings from the 2022 BC Consumer Debt Study were released today, offering a unique and frank view of consumer debt issues British Columbians...Read more
Understanding Wage Garnishment: Can Creditors Really Take my Income if I Can’t Pay my Debt?
Mar 21, 2022
Wage garnishment is an extreme collection method that creditors may use to recover a debt owed to them. Dealing with a wage garnishment or even just the threat of one can be incredibly stressful and overwhelming, and many people don’t know what their...Read more
What Does it Mean to Have a Debt Problem? New Study Highlights BC Consumer Debt Issues
Jan 19, 2022
Money stress and worry about managing and paying off debt is a significant issue for many British Columbians - and the ninth annual BC Consumer Debt Study reveals troubling details about the individual impacts of a debt problem. The 2021 BC Consumer Debt...Read more
Costs of Living, Credit Card Balances and the COVID-19 Pandemic – Latest BC Consumer Debt Study Shows Consumer Debt a Major Blow to Mental Health & More
Jan 17, 2022
New study details impact of debt to consumer wellbeing and beyond. Credit card debt called out five times more than other types of problem debt by insolvent consumers; using credit for essential costs of living the main cause of debt reported by 18% - and...Read more
Facts About Canadian Tax Debt – Where to Get Tax Debt Help
May 27, 2021
Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) has said that 9 out of 10 Canadians file and pay their income taxes on time, so although most people are on track, that still leaves many Canadians who struggle to pay their outstanding income tax balances with a risk...Read more
New BC Study Highlights Detrimental Impact of Debt Problems on Mental Health and Relationships
Jan 22, 2021
The 2020 BC Consumer Debt Study, a new BC-specific study focused on consumer debt issues in the province, reveals that having a debt problem can lead to devastating impacts on a person’s mental health, physical wellbeing, and even their most important...Read more
New Study Highlights BC’s Consumer Debt Problems
Jan 14, 2021
Just how big of a role has the COVID-19 pandemic played when it comes to consumer debt problems across the province? What else has British Columbians seeking help to restructure their debts? The 2020 BC Consumer Debt Study released earlier this week by Sands...Read more
Credit Card Debt and COVID-19 Pandemic Pushing BC Bankruptcies and Proposals – Revealing New Debt Study Goes Beyond the Numbers
Jan 11, 2021
Credit card debt five times more problematic than other types of debt reported; COVID-19 pandemic called out as factor in over half of personal insolvency filings since March 2020. The 2020 BC Consumer Debt Study conducted by Licensed Insolvency Trustee...Read more
Helping with a Debt Problem – What You Can (and Shouldn’t) Do
Dec 2, 2020
In times of hardship many of us turn to loved ones for support – and a financial crisis is no different. As Licensed Insolvency Trustees, Sands & Associates is often contacted by people who are seeking debt advice and guidance while trying to help a...Read more
Tips to Help Manage Your Debt Stress
Nov 4, 2020
November is Canada’s Financial Literacy Month, with this year’s 10th anniversary theme aimed at helping Canadians learn how to manage their finances in challenging times. As BC’s largest firm of Licensed Insolvency Trustees focused on providing debt...Read more
What You Should Know About Debt Help Services in BC
Oct 20, 2020
Need some advice on how to deal with your debt? Have your found yourself facing a financial crisis, or are you just plain tired of making monthly payments that never seem to get you ahead? When it comes to finances there are experts in every area, and it’s...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
Debt Expert Do’s and Don’ts for Managing Your Debt
Sep 2, 2020
Whether due to a loss of income, unexpected expenses, illness, or a relationship ending, most people don’t expect to find themselves in a situation where they are struggling financially and can’t meet their debt payments. When seeking debt advice from a...Read more
Pandemic Financials: 4 Debt Management Pitfalls Consumers Should Avoid
Aug 4, 2020
Although British Columbians have thus far seen success in flattening our curve in the fight against COVID-19, our battle against money woes may be far from over. With consumer savings already low and household debt levels at an historic high, for many...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
New Consumer Debt Study Suggests Debt Education Lacking
Feb 14, 2020
The 2019 BC Consumer Debt Study recently released by BC Licensed Insolvency Trustees Sands & Associates has local debt help professionals concerned about where the apparent lack of financial literacy and specifically awareness of debt help may be leaving...Read more
Insolvent Consumers Weigh in on Warning Signs of Debt Problems
Feb 13, 2020
It may be one thing to hear financial advice and warnings from professionals and analysts, but it can be quite another to hear that advice from someone who’s lived through their financial tipping point. The recently released annual BC Consumer Debt Study...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
