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Making a plan to manage your debt

From: Financial Consumer Agency of Canada

Making a plan to manage your debts will help you achieve your financial goals. Follow these tips to reduce your debts.

Make a list of your debts

Start by identifying what you owe. Make a list of all your debts.

For each one, note:

Your list may include:

Use the Financial Goal Calculator to manage your debts and set savings goals.

Review your budget

A budget is a plan that helps you manage your money.

It can help you:

Reviewing your budget can help you repay your debt faster. When reviewing it, put needs before wants and try reducing your expenses. You’ll be able to cut some expenses that are not necessary. This way, you’ll have more money available to repay your debts.

Use the Budget Planner to manage your money and improve your finances.

File your taxes

File your taxes each year to get the benefits and credits you may be eligible for. You may get money back to help repay your debt. Even if you have little to no income, you should still file your tax return.

Learn more about tax credits and benefits for individuals.

Use the Benefits Finder to find benefits that you may be eligible to receive.

You can also get help with your tax return if you have a modest income and a simple tax situation. Volunteers at a free tax clinic may be able to complete your tax return for you.

Find out if you’re eligible for a free tax clinic based on your income and tax situation.

Decide on a strategy

Once you’ve created a list of all your current debts, start your plan to pay them off. The types of debt and the amount of debt you owe will influence your strategy for paying them off.

Choose a timeframe

Set a payment timeframe that is reasonable and affordable.

If your timeframe is too long, you may lose focus if there’s no progress in paying down your debts. You'll also end up paying more money in interest over time.

If your timeframe is too short, you may not be able to keep up with your payments. You may start to feel like it's unrealistic to continue.

Keep in mind, if interest rates rise, your monthly payments may increase.

Learn how to manage your money when interest rates rise.

Decide which debts to pay off first

Depending on the type of debts you owe, it may be best to pay off certain debts first.

Debts with high interest rates

By paying off the debts with the highest interest first, you'll pay less interest. This will help you be debt-free sooner.

List your debts in order, from the highest interest rate to the lowest. Make the minimum payments on all your debts. Then use any extra money to pay down the debt with the highest interest rate.

For example, payday loans often carry the highest interest rates of any debts you may owe, followed by credit cards.

Learn how payday loans work and what questions to ask a payday lender.

Debts with the lowest balance

You may find it easier to start with your debt with the lowest balance. You'll feel the accomplishment of paying off a debt sooner. This can keep you motivated to maintain your goal to become debt-free. However, this option may cost you more over time. For example, if you have one or multiple debts with high interest rates.

Make a plan to pay back your family or friends

If you have a personal loan with family or friends, talk to them about the money you owe. Commit to a payment schedule that works for you and the person who lent you money.

Consider writing post-dated cheques or setting up automatic money transfers to stick to the payment plan. This will show that you're committed to repaying them.

Work directly with your creditors and your financial institution

Contact your creditors to discuss your financial situation with them. Your creditors are the companies you owe money to.

They may offer you:

Close accounts on debts you’ve paid off

Once a debt is paid, consider closing that account. Only keep what you need and can manage responsibly. However, you should keep an older account open. Your credit score is based in part on how long you’ve had credit, also known as your credit history. Keeping an older credit account open helps maintain a long-term credit history.

Learn more about how your credit score is calculated.

Consider a secured credit card

You may also want to consider using a secured credit card instead of a regular credit card. It requires you to leave a deposit with the credit card issuer as a guarantee and you can only spend to that limit.

Learn how to use and apply for a secured credit card.

Consolidate your debts

You may want to consider applying for a loan to pay off multiple debts with high interest rates. This is called consolidating your debts.

Consolidating your debts means you’ll only have to make one monthly payment instead of paying each debt individually.

A consolidation loan may help you get out of debt if:

If you're considering a consolidation loan, ask your financial institution which debts you'll be able to group together.

Eligibility for a consolidation loan

Your financial institution may be able to provide you with a consolidation loan depending on your situation. To be eligible, you must have an acceptable credit score and enough income to make the monthly payments.

Shop around for a consolidation loan

Some companies offer consolidation loans with interest rates that are higher than the debts you are trying to consolidate. Shop around to find the lowest rate and weigh your options. Although it’s not the biggest factor, applying for loans with different lenders within a short period of time may lower your credit score.

Financial institutions may offer you different interest rates depending on the type of product you choose. Shopping around might help you find the best loan for your budget.

Learn more about getting a loan.

Avoid taking on more debt

If you spend more than your income, it will be difficult to become debt-free.

If you're considering borrowing more money, understand how it would impact:

You're at risk of no longer being able to manage your debt if:

Tips to avoid taking on more debt

Follow these tips to lower your chances of taking on more debt.

Save for your financial goals

You can avoid taking on more debt by saving for your financial goals. For example, your child's education, a new car or a down payment on a house.

Saving a little every day can go a long way. Good examples of ways you can save money include:

  • taking public transit instead of driving your car and paying for parking
  • bringing your lunch to work instead of eating out
  • making your coffee at home instead of going to the coffee shop

Learn how to set savings and investment goals.

Use your credit card responsibly

Your credit card spending should fit within your budget. If you don’t use your credit card wisely, you may end up taking on more debt.

To avoid getting into more debt, you can use cash or debit instead of your credit card. That way you'll avoid spending money you don’t have. You should also stop using your credit card until you’ve reached your debt repayment goal.

Learn more on how to use your credit card responsibly.

Avoid "buy now, pay later" plans

Many companies now offer buy now, pay later plans for the purchase of products and services. With this type of plan, you are financing your purchase with credit. You purchase something and spread the payment over a period of time. Buy now, pay later plans could encourage you to spend beyond your means.

Be sure to pay your balance in full by the due date. If you don't, the fees and high interest rates that you’ll pay will be added to your debt load.

These types of plans can be an expensive way to borrow money. You need to make your payments on time to avoid fees. These fees may lead to over-borrowing and put your credit at risk.    

Learn more about buy now, pay later plans.

Reduce your banking fees

Use ATMs from your own financial institution.

Review your banking package to know how many transactions are included.

Use the Account Comparison Tool to compare accounts and fees.

Get electronic alerts from your financial institution

Your financial institution may send you an electronic alert when:

  • the balance of your chequing or savings account falls below a certain amount
  • the credit available on your credit card or personal line of credit falls below a certain amount

These alerts may help you manage your day-to-day finances and avoid fees.

Learn more about these electronic alerts.

Look for ways to increase your income

Consider selling some of your assets or taking on more work to make extra money to put towards your debt.

Rebuild your credit

Getting into debt may harm your credit score. A poor credit score can affect more than your ability to borrow. For example, many employers require a good credit score in order to hire you. Landlords may also run a credit check before accepting you as a tenant.

You can improve your credit score by:

  • making sure you make payments on time and in full
  • not using all the credit that is available to you
  • not applying for new credit if you don’t need it

Learn how to improve your credit score.

Know where to get help

If you’re trying to pay down debt and need help, don’t wait too long. Be proactive and seek help before experiencing challenges.

You can contact:

With their help, you'll be able to:

Before you sign up for services to get help to pay off your debt, explore your options. Compare the different services offered.

Getting help from a credit counsellor.

Find a Licensed Insolvency Trustee near you.

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