5 Myths about Tax Debt
Mar 10, 2020
Although Canada Revenue Agency states that 9 out of 10 individuals who owe tax pay it on time, that still leaves a large number of Canadians carrying tax debt every year – adding up to billions in tax debt outstanding. With this year’s tax season upon...Read more
New Consumer Debt Study Suggests Debt Education Lacking
Feb 14, 2020
The 2019 BC Consumer Debt Study recently released by BC Licensed Insolvency Trustees Sands & Associates has local debt help professionals concerned about where the apparent lack of financial literacy and specifically awareness of debt help may be leaving...Read more
Insolvent Consumers Weigh in on Warning Signs of Debt Problems
Feb 13, 2020
It may be one thing to hear financial advice and warnings from professionals and analysts, but it can be quite another to hear that advice from someone who’s lived through their financial tipping point. The recently released annual BC Consumer Debt Study...Read more
The True Cost of Debt – Beyond Financial Impacts
Feb 12, 2020
A new BC Consumer Debt Study recently released by Sands & Associates, the province’s largest firm of Licensed Insolvency Trustees focused exclusively on debt help for consumers and small businesses revealed startling findings, digging deep beyond the...Read more
Consumer Debt Study Reveals Insights into Debt Problems in BC
Feb 10, 2020
The latest annual BC Consumer Debt Study was released today by Sands & Associates, and findings may be surprising - especially for consumers who think they’re safe from the potential pitfalls of debt. Senior Vice-President of Sands & Associates...Read more
Credit Card Debt Driving Insolvencies – Even for Consumers with Full-Time Employment and Good Credit Scores
Feb 10, 2020
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – February 10, 2020 Working full-time and hold a good credit score? That might not be enough to keep a debt problem from setting in. A new BC debt study shows over 70% of BC residents who filed for bankruptcy or made a...Read more
Paying Off Credit Card Debt – 3 Problems to Avoid
Nov 19, 2019
With millions of credit cards in circulation across the country, it’s clear that the average Canadian is enjoying the convenience of credit card use - unfortunately that convenience can come at a big cost. Vancouver-based Licensed Insolvency Trustee and...Read more
4 Actions That Can Hurt A Credit Rating
Oct 1, 2019
Local Licensed Insolvency Trustee and Vice-President of Sands & Associates Blair Mantin meets with people every day who are looking for solutions to help them manage debt. Whether ultimately trying to pay off debt or boost their credit score, as a debt...Read more
Signs of a Debt Problem You Shouldn’t Ignore
Aug 7, 2019
Warning signs of debt problems may be more subtle than you’d expect, and as consumers across Canada cope with more financial obstacles than ever before, it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint when personal debt doesn’t just mean payments you make, but...Read more
What Happens When You Can’t Pay Your Debt?
Jul 10, 2019
Money problems often sneak up on consumers, and few people are prepared to face unexpected financial hardships that leave them unable to repay their debts as planned. If you’re worried about being unable to pay your credit cards or other debts, read on to...Read more
Why Your Credit Rating is the Wrong Indicator of Your Financial Health
Jul 3, 2019
Although many consumers aren’t totally clear on what a credit score really means, most are concerned about their credit rating when it comes to evaluating their financial health. Learn why your credit rating is often the wrong measure, how focusing on your...Read more
4 Financial Professionals Everyone Should Know
May 28, 2019
Blair Mantin, Senior Vice-President of Sands & Associates and Vancouver Licensed Insolvency Trustee meets with people every day who are looking for debt help and financial expertise. He knows better than most that there are times and situations in life...Read more
Cutting Interest on Student Loans – Is It Enough?
May 21, 2019
Blair Mantin Senior Vice-President at Sands & Associates, BC’s biggest firm of Licensed Insolvency Trustees, cautions that recent moves by provincial and federal governments on student loans may not be enough to entirely halt future financial challenges...Read more
Bankruptcy Basics Explained
May 14, 2019
The 12-month period ending December 31 2018 saw over 10,000 BC consumers turn to insolvency legislation for debt relief. Over 4,000 of those people filed personal bankruptcy, and debt industry experts are predicting that annual filings will rise over the next...Read more
Dealing With a Debt Problem? Here’s What to Avoid (and What to Do Instead)
Apr 29, 2019
Dealing with unmanageable debt can become a long-term problem for many individuals and, as Licensed Insolvency Trustees, sadly we often work with people who have realized too late that the steps they’ve been taking to try to fix their debt problems have...Read more
4 Common Causes of Tax Debt (and What to Do if you Can’t Pay)
Apr 2, 2019
While filing an income tax return might be a financial win if you’re expecting a refund, it can be a huge source of stress if you’re one of the thousands of Canadians who have unpaid tax debt. Blair Mantin, a Licensed Insolvency Trustee and Senior...Read more
4 Tips for a Stress-Free Tax Time
Mar 13, 2019
Tax season can be the best of times (if you’re getting a refund), or the worst of times (if you procrastinate filing or know you owe money). Like it or not, tax time is here! Vice-President at Sands & Associates and Vancouver Licensed Insolvency...Read more
Annual BC Consumer Debt Study Reveals New Debt Red Flag
Feb 7, 2019
Sands & Associates, British Columbia’s largest firm of Licensed Insolvency Trustees recently released the findings of its sixth annual BC Consumer Debt Study, based on survey responses from over 1,600 British Columbians who had either filed for personal...Read more
Not All is Created Equal When it Comes to Debt – Breakfast Television Vancouver
Jan 31, 2019
Most Canadians are carrying some type of debt, from a mortgage to a student loan to a (or several!) credit card. But what many consumers don’t consider, is that not all types of debt are created equal and it’s important to take stock before taking on the...Read more
4 Debt Help Resources Everyone Should Know About
Jan 29, 2019
As Licensed Insolvency Trustees, we have the legal authority and expertise to help you get out of debt. For many people that come to see us, some of the best value we provide is to give coaching and education about what resources exist for consumers faced...Read more
Consumers Seeking Debt Help on the Rise – BNN Bloomberg Reports
Jan 3, 2019
Record-high debt levels, interest rate hikes and a jump in payday loan use are being cited as just some of the reasons more and more Canadians are reaching out for professional debt help. BNN Bloomberg spoke with debt help experts from the insolvency industry...Read more
Breakfast Television Vancouver: 5 Facts About Debt You Didn’t Know
Nov 26, 2018
If you were facing a serious financial problem because of debt, would you know what legal options, rights and remedies were available to you? The stressful reality many Canadians face is that they don’t know the facts about how to manage a debt problem, or...Read more
Breakfast Television Vancouver: Tips to Avoid the Minimum Payment Trap
Oct 2, 2018
According to Equifax data last year approximately 59% of Canadians paid off their credit card balances in full each month; so far this year that number has declined to 56%. Although this may seem like a small change, the fact that total consumer debt...Read more
Understanding the Effects of Bankruptcy – Global News Reports
Sep 11, 2018
Being in debt can be stressful and this stress can be exacerbated by a sense of shame. Many people feel ashamed about not being able to repay their debts, consequently this embarrassment means that money problems (and solutions) are not an area of finances...Read more
Global News: Unexpected Debt – and What to do About it
Jul 3, 2018
While it’s common for debts to build up slowly over time, there are often cases where people are confronted with debts they were not expecting. Vancouver Licensed Insolvency Trustee Blair Mantin visited Global News to talk about some common scenarios where...Read more
Global News: Tips for Tax Time
Apr 3, 2018
April 30th is the deadline for most Canadians to file a personal tax return. Tax time can seem intimidating, especially if you owe money. Licensed Insolvency Trustee and Senior Vice-President of Sands & Associates Blair Mantin shared some key tips...Read more
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How Do I Get a Consumer Proposal Loan?
Jul 10, 2023
Consumer Proposals are a unique solution for Canadians to consolidate and cut their debts, without needing new financing or loans. Read on to understand how filing a Consumer Proposal works, how you can finish a Consumer Proposal early – and why you should...Read more
What Happens When You Can’t Pay Your Debt?
Jul 10, 2019
Money problems often sneak up on consumers, and few people are prepared to face unexpected financial hardships that leave them unable to repay their debts as planned. If you’re worried about being unable to pay your credit cards or other debts, read on to...Read more
