Are you struggling with debt or wondering what you can do to deal with a bad credit score and move forward financially? The good news is there are actions you can take to improve your financial situation and credit score. Read on to learn tips for re-establishing a positive credit history and boosting your credit rating – and what consumers should avoid doing. Where Your Credit Score Comes From Your credit score is a constantly changing number (between 300 and 900, with 900 being the best) that is calculated based on your credit history, and you’ll gain or lose points depending on your actions ..read more

Consumer Proposals and bankruptcies are two different legal options that consumers in Canada can use to help deal with unmanageable debt. Both options are only accessible through working with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee. Read on to learn how consolidating and cutting debt with a Consumer Proposal, or having debt forgiven through personal bankruptcy, impacts your personal tax filings, tax debt, refunds, and more. How Does a Consumer Proposal Work?  A Consumer Proposal is a special type of consolidation solution that allows you to manage virtually all your debts in one streamlined payment ..read more

Are you looking for professional debt help? Before connecting with an advisor, read on to learn about debt management services in British Columbia and understand some of the regulatory gaps that can have serious impacts to consumers looking for debt advice. What Professionals Offer Consumer Debt Management Services in Canada? There are two types of debt help professionals in Canada: Licensed Insolvency Trustees and informal debt service providers, who may use many different titles. Titles like credit counsellor, debt advisor, or debt consultant are not regulated ‘professionals’ and anyone can ..read more

Are you looking for advice or help in managing your debt? Licensed Insolvency Trustees are Canada’s official debt help experts. Read on to learn why, how, and what to expect when you work with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee, from confidential consultations and debt repayment planning to Consumer Proposal debt consolidation and bankruptcy debt forgiveness. When and Why Would I Work with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee?  A Licensed Insolvency Trustee is a legally qualified and federally endorsed debt solution expert. We are Canada’s only official debt help professionals, and if you are facing ..read more

The latest BC Consumer Debt Study shows that BC’s costs of living have become a key cause of debt problems, and challenges dealing with debt are taking a significant toll on the personal wellbeing of thousands of British Columbians. Having polled over 1,700 participants who recently restructured their debts using a legal debt solution, the 2023 BC Consumer Debt Study offers a unique view into consumer debt issues in the province. Blair Mantin, President of Sands & Associates, the firm of Licensed Insolvency Trustees who undertook the study, joined CTV News to discuss the study’s findings ..read more

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 consumer debt issues in the province. The eleventh annual study surveyed over 1,700 people from around the province who recently restructured their debts using a Consumer Proposal, or filed for Bankruptcy, inviting these individuals to share honest personal insights into their experiences dealing with debt, and finding solutions to these ..read more

Are you struggling with unmanageable debt but worried about giving up your vehicle, RRSPs, or other assets if you declare bankruptcy? Fortunately, there are laws in place in Canada that allow you to get debt forgiveness and protection from your creditors, without losing all your assets. In fact, in British Columbia most people filing for personal bankruptcy keep all their assets. Read on to learn about what happens to your assets if you declare bankruptcy in BC. What Does it Mean to File for Bankruptcy in Canada? Bankruptcy is a legal solution to help people get relief from and resolution for ..read more

Making debt payments month after month can seem never-ending, and being debt-free too far off to imagine. If you’re feeling frustrated with your debt, or as though you’ll never get your debt paid off – know that you are not alone in this, and that debt-free IS possible! Read on to learn some of the ways being debt-free can change your life, and hear some expert tips to help you get there faster. As Canada’s only licensed debt experts, Licensed Insolvency Trustees help people every day who are looking for debt solutions, and we see many positive changes in our clients once they make the decisio ..read more

Studies have shown receiving professional debt help from a Licensed Insolvency Trustee can provide many positive impacts to an individual’s personal approach on money matters, through improving budgeting and savings skills, offering a better understanding about credit and borrowing, and giving confidence in daily financial management. Read on to learn about the credit counselling and financial literacy resources available to individuals working with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee on a personalized debt-free plan. Goals of Financial Counselling Sessions with a Qualified Insolvency Counsellor&nbs ..read more

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 levels, tips to help BC consumers gauge their financial health when it comes to debt – and what to do if you think you have a debt problem. Watch the clip here, and read more below: What is a Reasonable Amount of Personal Debt? There’s no ‘magic number’ when it comes to understanding how much debt is too much; for some people their debt pro ..read more