Canadian Homeowners Falling Behind On Debt | GEM Debt Law

April 3, 2023

Canadian Homeowners Falling Behind On Debt | GEM Debt Law

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Owning a home is a dream come true for many Canadians. However, with rising housing costs and economic uncertainty, many homeowners find themselves struggling with debt. In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why Canadian homeowners fall into debt, what to avoid to prevent falling behind on debt, and the importance of seeking advice or help from a debt professional.

What Makes Canadian Homeowners Fall into Debt?

There are several reasons why Canadian homeowners fall into debt, including:

Overspending: Many homeowners overspend on home renovations or other expenses related to homeownership. Renovations can quickly add up, and homeowners can find themselves with unmanageable debt. Interior decor and home styling items fall into the same category.

High-interest rates: If you have a high-interest mortgage or other debt, it can be challenging to keep up with payments. High-interest rates can quickly accumulate, making it difficult to pay off the debt.

Economic uncertainty: Job loss, illness, or other unforeseen circumstances can lead to financial hardship. When unexpected events happen, homeowners can find themselves with unmanageable debt.

Easy access to credit: With easy access to credit, it can be tempting to take on more debt than you can afford. It’s easy to use credit cards or other forms of credit to pay for expenses, but it can lead to a debt spiral.

Lifestyle inflation: As your income increases, it’s easy to fall into the trap of spending more on discretionary expenses like vacations, entertainment, or dining out. Lifestyle inflation can lead to unmanageable debt, especially if you’re not keeping track of your spending.

What to Avoid to Prevent Falling Behind on Debt?

To avoid falling behind on debt, there are several things you can do, including:

Create a budget: Creating a budget is a fundamental step in managing your finances. It helps you to identify your income and expenses and plan accordingly. When you have a budget, you can ensure that you’re not overspending and that you’re saving money for emergencies.

Live within your means: Living within your means is crucial to avoid overspending and taking on more debt than you can afford. When you live within your means, you’re not spending more than you’re earning.

Avoid high-interest debt: High-interest debt can quickly spiral out of control, making it difficult to keep up with payments. If you have high-interest debt, consider consolidating it into a lower-interest-rate loan.

Build an emergency fund: Building an emergency fund can help you prepare for unforeseen expenses and prevent falling behind on debt. When you have an emergency fund, you don’t have to rely on credit cards or loans to pay for emergencies.

Avoid lifestyle inflation: As your income increases, avoid the temptation to increase your spending on discretionary expenses. Instead, save the extra money for emergencies or long-term goals.

Ask a Debt Professional for Advice or Help

If you’re struggling with debt, it’s essential to seek advice or help from a debt professional. A debt professional can help you create a debt repayment plan, negotiate with creditors, and provide you with financial education and counselling.

Debt professionals can also provide you with strategies to manage your finances and avoid falling behind on debt.

Bottom Line

Canadian homeowners face many challenges when it comes to managing debt. By creating a budget, living within your means, avoiding high-interest debt, building an emergency fund, avoiding lifestyle inflation, and seeking advice or help from a debt professional, you can take control of your finances and avoid falling behind on debt. Remember that seeking help early is key to managing debt effectively and achieving financial stability.

If you’re struggling with debt, don’t risk your future. Contact GEM Debt Law today to speak with a representative and get the help you need to make the best decision for your situation.