In the Media

Risky Consumer Debts – and What to Watch For

Jun 21, 2023

While using credit is nearly unavoidable for most modern consumers, some types of debt run the risk of turning into a major problem. Are you carrying a debt that could be deemed risky? BC Licensed Insolvency Trustee Blair Mantin joined CTV News Vancouver to...Read more

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

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

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

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

Read more

Should I Be Worried? Debt Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Oct 26, 2022

Consumers are dodging more financial obstacles than ever before, and it can be difficult to pinpoint when debt is shifting from a manageable payment to a growing problem. Blair Mantin, President of Sands & Associates, BC’s largest firm of Licensed...Read more

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

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 rights...Read more

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

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

Read more

Expert Tips to Pay Down Credit Card Debt Faster

Oct 5, 2021

Although they’re a convenient payment tool and extremely common form of credit, many people end up struggling with credit card balances – sometimes for years and even decades. Whether you’ve recently made it a personal goal to pay off your credit cards...Read more

Read more

4 Facts About 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 while a majority are on track, that still leaves many Canadians carrying tax debt, potentially spelling big costs and high stress levels for...Read more

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 monthly...Read more

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

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

Read more

What To Do If You Think You Have a Debt Problem

Jul 7, 2020

As BC’s largest firm of Licensed Insolvency Trustees focused exclusively on debt solutions for individuals, Sands & Associates has helped tens of thousands of consumers get a financial fresh start over the past 30 years. Although there are sometimes...Read more

Read more

Tips for Dealing with Credit Card Debt

Jun 16, 2020

Although one of the most common types of debts consumers can have – credit cards also tend to be the most problematic, that’s according to a BC Consumer Debt Study released earlier this year by Licensed Insolvency Trustees Sands & Associates. Credit...Read more

Read more

Managing Debt During COVID-19 – and Planning for the Future

May 26, 2020

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many BC consumers were in precarious financial situations, leading to recent increases in personal bankruptcy and Consumer Proposal filings. As recently as February 2020, province-wide filings for bankruptcies and...Read more

Read more

5 Free Debt Management Resources

May 12, 2020

Each year thousands of consumers across the province seek professional debt help solutions from Licensed Insolvency Trustees, Canada’s only government-endorsed debt management professional. For most of these people, knowing what debt management resources...Read more

Read more