It is possible to live debt-free if you set a budget and realistic goals and stick to them, live within your means, avoid high interest rate loans, and pay off outstanding balances.
Set Budget and Goals
The first step to being debt-free is to set a monthly household budget and weigh your income and expenses. Make a list of essential expenses such as property taxes, rent or mortgage, gas, water, and electricity bills, and groceries. Think of other expenses such as coffee, restaurants, baby sitting or daycare, alimony, child support, credit card balances, etc. Make note of expenses that you can cut if the total amount exceeds your income. Then you should list all sources of income in your household. These can be salaried income, wages, real estate investments, unemployment compensation, or business net income. Other sources of income include high-yield savings, compensatory damages, cash rebates, and sick pay benefits. Add up your expenses and your income sources and see whether you will have any money left by the end of the month. If your expenses exceed your income, this is a red flag which- shows that you are financially vulnerable and should adjust your budget accordingly.
Live within Your Means
Whether you are in the low- or high-income bracket, living from paycheck to paycheck is simply making ends meet. But it can be worse. Many people make impulse purchases that they later regret or buy things that they rarely or never use. Some people tend to stock up on food and products that are on sale and spend a lot of money. Instead of buying items on their shopping list, they end up purchasing 10 cans of kidney beans and 50 whole-grain cereal bars. Buying complementary items is also a mistake when you try to stick to a budget.
Do Not Use Payday Loans
Many payday lenders in Canada offer short-term loans with unfavorable terms and extremely high interest rates. This is a last resort for people who face unexpected expenses and emergencies and cannot access better solutions such as low interest rate cards and lines of credit. The problem with payday loans is that charges can be as high as 30 percent of the total amount borrowed. The interest rate is much higher than that of standard solutions such as personal loans and lines of credit. The focus should be on building savings for rough times and unexpected expenses. People who often resort to payday loans are usually advised to try to build a healthy score so that they have access to different borrowing solutions.
Pay off Your Credit Card Debt and Use Only Cash or Interac
If you have multiple cards and excessive debt like many Canadians do, it is high time to start paying off your outstanding balances. One way to go about this is to focus on one card at a time. Compare interest rates and start with the card that goes with the highest rate. Another option is to pay the smallest balance first and then focus on the next smallest balance. If you carry large balances, you should always try to pay more than the minimum. This is also a good way to save on interest charges, especially if you have high interest credit cards. Once you have paid your card balances, you should try to use cash or Interac only to avoid accumulating debt. People usually spend less because they physically hand over their hard-earned money. Using cash also makes it easier to budget by allocating money to different spending categories. With credit cards, it is much easier to lose track of spending and overspend. Of course, whether you use cash or credit depends on the particular situation and your finances. If you only make small, occasional purchases, then you can use your credit card. If you are not organized and are usually late on bill and credit card payments, then you may want to use debit or cash. And if you have excessive debt, it is best to use cash only.
Another option is to use Interac to pay for products and services. Your card will be linked to your savings or checking account to make payments. This allows you to keep track of your purchases and spending. One of the major benefits is that you use your own cash instead of credit. Another benefit is that you can use your card to make purchases online and from different retailers. An added benefit is the fact that many financial institutions in Canada feature Interac Debit, among which CIBC, ATB Financial, West Credit Union, Unity Credit Union.
Never Get a Cash Advance
It is best to avoid cash advances to stay away from financial trouble. The problem here is that this is a type of loan that adds to your card debt. If the fee is 5 percent or $5, whichever is greater, you will pay $15 on a $300 advance. Another problem is that the interest rate is typically higher than the balance transfer and purchase rates, and borrowers also pay ATM fees. An added problem is the fact that there is no interest-free or grace period meaning that charges begin to accrue at the date of the transaction. So, instead of getting a cash advance, it is better to look into alternatives such as a peer to peer or personal loan, salary advance from your company, or loan from family members or friends.
Use Debt Consolidation to Get Your Finances in Order
Using consolidation is one way to get control of your finances if you have multiple debts. In this case, you take out a single loan and combine multiple payments. Many banks in Canada offer this financial solution, including RBC, CIBC, TD Bank. Banks allow customers to combine different types of debt such as personal loans, lines of credit, and card balances. There are multiple benefits for borrowers, and one is that they save a lot on interest charges. If you have two or more credit cards with high interest rates, for example, debt consolidation is definitely an option to explore. The fact that you have a single payment to make, instead of multiple payments, makes it easier to avoid being late. Obviously, you will also feel relief knowing that your accounts will not be turned over to a collection agency. There are downsides as well, one being that financial institutions usually require good credit. If your score is less-than-perfect, you may not qualify. Another downside is that consolidation loans usually go with higher monthly payments because the terms are shorter than standard loans.
Whether consolidation is the best solution depends on different factors such as amounts due, types of debt, income and assets, etc. There are alternatives to consider, including credit counseling, personal bankruptcy, debt settlement, cash-out refinance, HELOCs, and home equity loans. All solutions have pros and cons. Debt settlement, for example, allows borrowers to get lower interest rates but they cannot access credit when they are in the program.
Home Trust features a Secured Visa card that allows customers to book a vacation and make in-store and online purchases. The best part is that anyone gets approved. The limit is equal to the deposit made, which can be as high as $10,000 and as low as just $500.
Canadian Tire also advertises instant decision for customers who fill in the application for approval. The Triangle MasterCard® allows customers to earn rewards that can be redeemed at Atmosphere, Mark’s/L’Équipeur, Sport Chek, and Canadian Tire. There is a host of benefits for holders, including access to exclusive events and offers, no-receipt returns, and 5 – 7 ¢ per litre in cash back in CT Money when making debit or cash purchases. Weekly flyer bonuses are also available. Like other instant approval credit cards, customers who are retired or employed, are of legal age, and are Canadian citizens are eligible to apply. Applicants are asked to provide details such as address and name of current employer, annual income, and previous address. (*Note that customers have reported that approval process may take 2 weeks.)
Low Rate Guaranteed MasterCard® requires a security deposit and goes with added incentives such as travel assistance, baggage delay insurance, and common carrier travel accident insurance. Other perks include emergency cash advances and card replacement and extended warranty. All applicants qualify provided that they do not have an account at the bank which was not in good standing and are of legal age.
The Guaranteed MasterCard® is another option for customers who are looking for a guaranteed credit card. This product comes with travel and everyday benefits such as car rental collision waiver, extended warranty, and others. Customers benefit from legal referrals, lost luggage assistance, lost ticket and documents replacements, medical referrals, and others.
The Scotiabank Value® Visa is one product to look into, which also targets newcomers to Canada. There is an option to transfer and consolidate high-interest balances to make payments more affordable. Additional perks include optional protection, discounts on car rentals at Budget and Avis locations in the USA and Canada, Visa payWave.
The Preferred Rate MasterCard® by BMO® is one option to look into, which comes with a low intro rate of 3.99 percent. This rate applies to balance transfers during a 9-month promotional period. There are add-ons such as balance protection and roadside assistance. BMO also advertises security features such as MasterCard SecureCode, zero liability, and chip technology. Customers are eligible to apply provided that they did not file for bankruptcy during the past seven years and are of the age of majority in their territory or province of residence. They are asked to bring photo identification such as their territorial or provincial health insurance card, certificate of Canadian citizenship, Permanent Resident Card, driver’s license, Immigration Canada Documents, etc. When applying for a card, customers are asked about their housing status, address, monthly payment, years of employment and employment information, income details, and more.
The Vancity enviro Secured Visa is also a good choice for customers with fair and tarnished scores, those with past financial problems, and recent immigrants. Those who deposit $500 or more in their TFSA, Jumpstart High Interest Savings Account or Vancity Term Deposit are offered an enviro Visa. The amount deposited determines the limit. The card goes with multiple benefits such as Visa payWave and Checkout, stolen and lost card protection, recurring payments, lost and delayed baggage insurance, travel accident insurance, and more. Optional coverage includes trip interruption, trip cancellation, and travel medical insurance as well as critical illness, life, and accidental dismemberment insurance. An added benefit is the option to set up automatic payments to avoid late and missed payments. Customers also have access to their online account information, including statement data, transactions, and current balance. Customers can apply by visiting a local branch.
Toronto Dominion features the TD Cash Secured Credit Card which requires a deposit made into a TD Simple Savings Account. The deposit serves as collateral and can be as low as $500. On the good side, this card allows holders to earn money back on regular purchases, purchases at grocery stores, and dining. Holders earn 1 percent back on regular purchases, 2 percent on groceries, and 3 percent on fine and casual dining. Additional benefits include instant card replacement, chip technology protection, and digital wallet that allows customers to add their card to their phone. *Please note that this card is no longer available.
The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce also offers secured cards to newcomers, Canadians trying to rebuild or build credit, and international students. Applicants are asked to make a security deposit which is held in an interest-bearing investment instrument. Newcomers to Canada can choose a card that is tailored to their requirements provided that they have another borrowing or banking product in good standing, including a mortgage, line of credit, loan, or savings or chequing account. A security deposit is not required, and customers with no credit history qualify provided that they meet the criteria.
