debt consolidation

How Would Filing for Bankruptcy Affect Your Borrowing Power?

November 12, 2018 By Samantha Leave a Comment

Filing for bankruptcy can negatively affect your borrowing power because your credit score is likely to plummet. This depends on your credit profile, however. If you have fair or bad credit and multiple negative items listed, then you would expect a low to moderate drop. Borrowers with spotless or very good credit, however, see a significant drop.

What to Expect

It is a good idea to learn more about bankruptcy as to know what to expect. This is a last resort for borrowers who have exhausted all other options such as counseling, negotiation with creditors, debt consolidation. Consolidation loans, for example, are offered to borrowers to combine multiple debts and benefit from a single payment. It is a form of refinancing for borrowers with a lot of outstanding debt. Bankruptcy is a solution for people who owe more money than the total value of their assets. In fact, if you owe $1,000 or more and are unable to keep up with payments, you meet the criteria.

Bankruptcy is a solution for borrowers who have unsecured debts, including personal loans, vacation loans, credit cards, lines of credit, etc. Those having a lot of equity may not be allowed to keep their home. When it comes to personal belongings, there are certain exemptions to look into. The list includes things like retirement savings and pensions, heating fuel and food, and farm supplies, equipment, animals, and land. When filing for bankruptcy Canada based borrowers are also allowed to keep their vehicle, furniture, clothing, and health aids. Exemptions vary from province to province. In Alberta, for example, you are allowed to keep your social allowance, farm land, principal home, farm property, tools of trade, household appliances, and food. In Manitoba, you are also allowed to keep some life insurance policies, locked-in pension plans, religious items, etc. In any case, bank accounts are not exempt.

The Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act governs receiverships, commercial and consumer proposals, and bankruptcies. A bankruptcy trustee is appointed to represent the borrower’s estate. Once you have filed, you can expect to receive a discharge in about 9 months unless a court orders an extension.

Your Borrowing Power

After you have filed for bankruptcy, your borrowing power will be seriously affected because you are considered a high-risk customer. There are some things to do to improve your chances of getting approved for a loan or a credit card.

Get Your Discharge

The first step is to get your discharge in a timely manner. Once you do this, it is time to start rebuilding your credit.

Apply for a Secured Card

There are several options to look into, among which secured loans and secured credit cards. A secured credit card is easier to get even if you have a tarnished credit score. The reason is that your savings account serves as collateral, i.e. guarantee of repayment. This makes it less risky for financial institutions. Secured cards are offered to borrowers with a history of poor credit and limited credit exposure. The limit depends on the amount deposited and your score.

A Store Card

Another option is to apply for and open a department store card but interest rates tend to be significantly higher compared to other products. This can be a good solution if your department store offers generous discounts but there is more. A store card can help you to improve you score if you make occasional purchases (as opposed to many purchases). This will help you to lower your utilization rate. A low utilization rate proves to financial institutions that you are a low-risk borrower. Aim at a utilization rate of about 15 percent to help rebuild your credit score. This is provided that you make timely payments and use the line in a responsible manner. In fact, responsible use is the key to rebuilding credit. Late and missed payments show on your report and negatively affect your score. You don’t want this if you declared bankruptcy recently.

An Installment Loan

There are other things to do to boost your borrowing power, and one is to get an installment loan. If you made regular payments on your department store or secured card over the past couple of months, you may want to visit your local bank. Ask what they have on offer. If you get approved for a small installment loan, make regular payments. When it comes to the loan amount, it is always better to be on the safe side and start small. Borrowers with poor credit are usually offered very high interest rates, which adds to the cost of the loan. It is always good to have a credit mix, i.e. personal loans, credit cards, etc. A good mix means diversity and shows financial institutions that you can handle different types of credit. Be careful when applying. Multiple applications can have a negative effect on your score.

Develop Healthy Financial Habits to Deal with Debt

Finally, the most important thing is to develop healthy money and credit management habits to avoid debt and bankruptcy. If you are unsure where to start, you may want to contact a bankruptcy advisor or financial advisor to learn the basics. Your financial advisor will help you learn how to budget, save, and set long- and short-term financial goals. They will help you build a financial cushion (an emergency fund) for a rainy day and emergency situations. A financial advisor will also help you develop a personalized plan based on your individual circumstances. A personalized, step-by-step plan can help you a great deal in terms of rebuilding credit, when to start, what financial products to apply for, and more. When choosing an advisor, make sure you ask whether they offer free information, what services they offer, how much they charge, etc. Ask whether they have monthly or set-up fees.

Once you succeed in rebuilding credit, you will have plenty of choice when it comes to credit cards and loans with attractive terms, low than average rates, and incentives and perks.

Debt Consolidation: An Interview with Jeffrey Schwartz

November 24, 2015 By Samantha Leave a Comment

Samantha, LifeOnCredit.ca
Credit is a way of life here in Canada. The Canadian Banker’s Association (CBA) says a whopping 89 per cent of adult Canadians have at least one credit card, and the majority (60 per cent) pays their entire balance every month.

But what about the Canadians who carry credit card debt? What if that balance continues to grow, and the interest charges get bigger and bigger? There are a lot of debt management tools out there if you are wondering how to get out of debt. One option for relief is debt consolidation, and to get more information on this, I interviewed Jeffrey Schwartz. Schwartz is the executive director of Consolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada, a non-profit charity that helps people get out of debt.

Samantha: What kinds of people seek credit counselling for help?
Jeffrey: We help Canadians of all ages and all income levels. Debt does not discriminate; everybody is financially vulnerable and can find themselves in trouble thanks to common issues like unemployment, illness, divorce, or simple overspending.

Samantha: What levels of debt do you typically deal with?
Jeffrey: Different levels of debt require different debt solutions. Typically if someone owes around $5,000 or less, we are often able to advise them on some changes they can make to their budget and lifestyle that can usually get them out of debt with a little hard work and determination. When you’re getting above $10,000 in debt, that’s when you may need a helping hand – often it can be too difficult to manage on your own, and we can provide some tools to get it under control. If you owe $40,000 or $50,000 or $60,000, chances are, the interest payments alone are crushing.

Samantha: I know people who have gotten into the trap of making minimum payments and trying to pay down huge debts on their own – just how hard is it?
Jeffrey: It’s a lot like being on a treadmill. You can exhaust yourself all you want, but you won’t get anywhere. Our website has a credit card interest calculator, and it’s a great tool to illustrate just how much interest you can expect to pay, and how long it will take, if you only make the minimum payments. For example, if you have a couple of credit cards with a total debt of $30,000, at 19% APR, it will take you nearly 40 years to pay that back. But that’s not the worst part. You’ll pay almost $47,000 in interest – more than your actual balance! Four decades and $77,000 dollars – it sounds like a punishment, not a repayment plan!

Samantha: Yikes. So it seems that it is the interest rates that really hurt people.
Jeffrey: Yes, when people are using high-interest credit cards and Payday loans, so much of their payments are going toward their creditors, and not enough is paying down the actual balance. That’s where we come in. Through our Debt Management Program (DMP), we are able to negotiate with your creditors to get your interest rates reduced to very low levels – often zero. You’ll still pay everything back, but without the heavy shackles of interest. Using the program in this way will allow you to pay back this debt, in full, within three to five years. To make it even easier, we consolidate all of your unsecured debts into one simple monthly payment.

Samantha: So what’s the difference between the DMP and say, a consumer proposal or bankruptcy?
Jeffrey: The big difference is with the DMP, you pay back the entire balance. With a consumer proposal and bankruptcy, you do not pay back your entire debt load, and your credit report will reflect that.

Samantha: Are there ever any cases in which a bankruptcy is the right move?
Jeffrey: It’s a worst-case scenario, but it’s helpful for people with massive debt loads and little means to pay it back. At that point, with too few assets and too little income, bankruptcy may be the best solution. The DMP is an excellent option for people who have experienced a hiccup in their financial lives but have the means to pay it back. They just need a helping hand. That’s where we come in – we can be that helping hand to lead you through your trouble. If you feel like you’re drowning in debt, we can throw you a life ring.

5 Steps to Debt-Free 2015

January 5, 2015 By Samantha Leave a Comment

Is Debt-Free 2015 Possible? Start Planning Now

Medical bills, car and mortgage payments, and card balances add up unless you acquire good financial and budgeting skills. Specialist advice and online spending and budget tools can help sort out your finances for a debt-free new year.

1. Get a Good Look at Your Budget

The first step is to look at your family’s budget, income, and expenses. Make a list of all sources of income, including bonuses, wages, salary, rental income, cash in savings accounts, employee achievement awards, child support payments, and others. Then list all expenses, for example, utility bills, insurance premiums, groceries, rent, loan and credit card payments, and others. Compare your expenses and income to see where your money is going. This will help you to make a good decision about future purchases and how to allocate your money.

TOOLS: Budget Tools and Calculators

One option is to use online budget tools such as planners and calculators. Some tools help track sources of income, spending, and savings, investment, and checking accounts. There are online budget calculators that allow users to develop a budget based on their total income and expenses such as health and medical bills, clothing, transportation, housing, food, utilities, and others. There is an option to print your budget. Some online calculators allow users to plug in monthly expenses and savings and annual income and expenses.

2. Set Your Financial Goals

Setting your financial goals is also a very important step. Consider factors such as total debt, income level, household size, age of family members, and others. If you have excessive debt, it may be a good idea to prioritize debts. Setting up an emergency fund is also a good idea. You may want to open a savings account to save for unexpected expenses such as medical bills and car and home repairs.

Think of long-term and short-term financial goals you want to achieve. Examples of short-term goals are saving for a summer holiday or car down payment, minor home improvements and projects, buying furniture or electronics, and others. In general, these are goals to achieve over a period of 1 – 2 years. Long-term financial goals take more time to achieve, i.e. 5 – 15 years. Examples are saving for retirement or college education, saving for a large mortgage down payment, and others. Such goals require financial commitment and discipline.

TOOLS: Financial Goal Calculators and Other Tools

There are some tools that help set your financial goals, including money saving apps, tools to track spending, financial goal calculators, and others. Financial goal calculators ask users about their monthly income before taxes. Users can choose from different goals, for example, saving for retirement and getting out of debt. If you are looking for ways to get rid of debt, choose this option and plug in details such as payment frequency, interest rate, current balance, type of debt, target end date, payments, amount, and others. There is an option to view a debt chart.

3. Reduce Your Spending

This is one way to get out of debt quicker. Look at your list of expenses to see if you can reduce your spending. There are different ways to cut your spending without changing your lifestyle too much. It is a good idea to create a shopping list to avoid buying on impulse. You will also save on gas by making a single trip to the grocery store. Compare prices at different stores and clip coupons to reduce your spending. Instead of eating out, you may want to pack your lunch to save money. Unsubscribe to sales alerts to avoid impulse purchases.

TOOLS: Cut Back Calculators to Track and Reduce Spending

You can also use different online tools that help reduce your spending. There are cut back calculators that allow users to choose from different purchases, for example, takeaways, petrol, music, magazines, lottery tickets, gym, and movies. You can also choose from fares, coffee, cigarettes, chocolate, alcohol, and other purchases. You are also asked about the price and purchase frequency. For example, if you smoke 1 pack a day and it costs $4.50, you will save $135 a month.

4. Use Debt Consolidation Specialist/Service

Using a debt consolidation service is also an option if you have high interest balances. Consolidation specialists help customers to secure a lower interest rate and more affordable payments.

In general, debt consolidation is an alternative to bankruptcy, credit counseling, and consumer proposal and can be used for unsecured loans. If you have multiple high-interest cards, you may want to transfer your balances to a low-interest credit card. The right approach depends on the types of debt you have, the amounts owed or outstanding balances, the interest charges, repayment terms, credit standing, and other factors. Debt consolidation specialists offer professional advice and counseling and free savings estimates. Your consolidation specialist will ask about the total debt held, including student loans, health club memberships, lines of credit, medical bills, and legal bills. Other types of unsecured debt include cell phone bills, personal loans, department store credit cards, and unsecured credit cards. Secured loans are not accepted, including auto loans and mortgages that require collateral. Specialists also offer personalized solutions to your debt worries as well as tools, tips, education, and resources.

TOOLS: Debt Consolidation Calculators

You can use debt consolidation calculators to find out how much you will save. To this, choose from different types of debt such as retail credit cards, standard credit cards, consumer loans, and others. Enter the estimated monthly payment, current balance, and annual percentage rate.

5. Become Debt Free

There are different ways to go about excessive debt and alternatives to choose from. Options to consider include settlement, debt management plans, budget planning, individual voluntary arrangement, and self-money management. Other options include formal proposal, negotiation, and debt restructuring. These are alternatives to bankruptcy, and the choice depends on whether you have delinquent or excessive debts and other factors. A home equity loan is one option if you have debt problems. In this case, your home equity is used for loan repayment. The good thing about home equity loans is that lenders offer attractive interest rates because your home serves as collateral and a guarantee of repayment. A debt management plan is another option to pay down your outstanding balances. In this case, your financial institution may be willing to lower the interest rate to make payments more affordable, especially if you are about to default. Finally, debt settlement is yet another option to become debt free. This method involves a cash settlement with your financial institution. A one-time payment is required in exchange for a partial debt payment.

Getting out of Debt: Get a Chance with Debt Consolidation Loans

December 10, 2014 By Samantha 2 Comments

A consolidation loan helps combine multiple high-interest accounts and obtain a fixed or lower interest rate. This is one way to make payments affordable, pay down excessive debt, and reestablish your credit history.

How to Tell if You Have Bad Credit?

Having a low score affects your purchasing power and access to credit. People with poor credit find it difficult to get a job, rent a house or apartment, and meet unexpected expenses. There are some red flags and warning signs that you have made poor financial and credit decisions. If you have multiple card accounts, excessive credit card debt, and missing or late loan or card payments, you probably have less than perfect or poor credit. Getting calls from collection agencies and accounts closed by issuers are other signs that you are knee-deep in debt and need help. There are other warning signs that you need to look into different repair options, for example, having too little or too much credit and having your card and loan applications denied. Obviously, your score is the best indicator of credit problems. A FICO score below 620 means that you have poor credit.

Finding a Debt Consolidation Loan with Bad Credit

Many people check with their local banks first, especially if they are existing customers. Banks have stringent criteria for approval, however, and you may see your application turned down. Some finance companies specialize in consolidation loans for customers with tarnished credit and allow borrowers to combine payday and consumer loans into a low-cost payback solution with a single monthly payment. Look for loans with no early prepayment penalties or hidden charges.

What is the Best Way to Consolidate Debt with Bad Credit

There are different lenders that offer bad credit debt consolidation loans – payday loan providers, credit unions, and banks. The best option for customers with poor credit is probably a reputable consolidation service that charges no upfront fees and advertises generous interest savings. Credit unions are usually more lenient than other financial establishments, banks in this number. Reputable companies offer a range of options, and customers are allowed to consolidate between $2,000 and $10,000 in unsecured credit. Some providers require stable income and have minimum income requirements. If you have student loans, the best way to get out of debt is to apply for a student consolidation loan. There are two options – fixed rates and capped variable rates with terms of 5 to 15 years. Some providers also advertise loans with 20-year terms. Customers who opt for automatic payments enjoy interest rate reduction. Some issuers also offer interest rate discounts to existing customers who have checking accounts or existing loan balances. And some financial institutions even offer loan deferral options.

Are Debt Consolidation Loans Bad for Your Credit

In fact, debt consolidation loans help customers to reestablish credit. They go with lower rates and affordable monthly payments, making it easier to catch up on payments. The fact that customers have only one monthly payment means that it is easy to keep track of and avoid missed payments which affect your credit. Timely payments will boost your score and will widen the range of financial options available through mainstream financial establishments. At the same time, missing loan payments may ruin your score, leaving you with few options available, most of which carrying high interest rates. As a rule, debt consolidation has a positive effect on your score because it simplifies payments, and customers can opt for automatic payments. It is a good idea to close some existing accounts so that you avoid piling up debt again.

What are Your Chances of Getting a Debt Consolidation Loan?

Many people are unsure how to qualify for debt consolidation loan if they have a bad credit. The chances of getting a loan depend on your overall stability, employment history, and earnings. Some issuers are willing to work with customers with less than perfect credit provided that they are able to meet their payments. Finance companies often require proof of income and proof of employment such as recent pay stubs. Some issuers also look at your debt to income ratio. Your disposable income must be at least 15 percent of your gross monthly income. Your chances of getting approved for an unsecured debt consolidation loan are low if you are switching jobs often. Some financial institutions offer debt consolidation loans for bad credit to customers who have home equity. Finally, your chances of getting a loan also depend on how much you owe to different creditors.

Advantages of Debt Consolidation Loans

There are plenty of benefits for debt-ridden borrowers, one being that customers are able to eliminate debt without incurring additional charges. Budgeting and financial planning are also made easier given that customers have only one payment to make. Multiple monthly payments take a huge amount of effort and mental energy to deal with. Customers benefit from easier debt management, and payments are spread over a longer repayment term. Another benefit for borrowers is the fact that customers are allowed to consolidate different types of accounts, including credit card balances, student loans, and other unsecured debts. A further benefit is that customers can choose from several types of loans and programs, including balance transfers, and home equity loans. Unsecured loans feature shorter repayment terms and are safe for customers as they don’t risk a valuable asset. Secured loans go with lower interest rates, longer repayment terms, and affordable monthly payments. With home equity loans, borrowers benefit from the fact that interest is usually tax deductible.

Deb Consolidation Application

Disadvantages of Debt Consolidation Loans

While convenience and lower rates are major advantages, there are some issues and downsides. One of the downsides for borrowers is that a longer repayment term adds to the cost of borrowing. Customers pay more toward interest when payments are made over a longer period. A secured loan carries a risk in that customers risk losing their home, vehicle, or other asset in case of default. There are other risks as well. Retirement funds, life insurance policies, and other assets may be available for use only after loan repayment. Another issue is that financial institutions are less willing to offer unsecured short term loans to customers with poor credit. Those who are willing to work with customers with bad credit usually offer higher-than-average interest rates. The only option may be a secured loan with a competitive rate. In any case, stay away from providers that feature points, charge costly penalties, and advertise low introductory rates that skyrocket after the initial period. Finally, there are unscrupulous loan providers that assess outrageous charges and rates and try to take advantage of your financial worries. Avoid companies that offer help with bankruptcy, settlement, and debt management because these methods work differently. Also avoid issuers that offer credit insurance because it makes borrowing a costly endeavor.