Tag: student debt

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GEN Y TRAPPED: MILLENNIALS IN DEBT

debt, Millennials, Generation Y, Gen Y, Baby Boomers in debt, seniors in debt, student debt, student loans, credit card debt, bankruptcy, trustee, financial plan, gen y debt, starting over starting now, trustee, millennials in debt, gen y in debtMillennials in debt is an important issue. There’s been a considerable amount of press surrounding the problems facing Baby Boomers in debt and seniors in debt and we’ve devoted quite a few blogs to these very serious issues:

However, the Millennials (children born between 1982 and 2002), also known as Generation Y or Gen Y, feel trapped as millennials in debt. Only now are we realizing how dire their situation is. BMO recently did a survey of Millennials in debt and discovered that:

  • 56% are so anxious about their debt they think about it multiple times a day.
  • 50% said debt has made them lose sleep.
  • Their household debt is $73,305.
  • 50% feel ashamed at the level of debt they’ve accumulated.
  • 50% of Millennials in debt have had arguments with family, friends and partners over debt.
  • 51% have borrowed money from friends or family to manage household debt levels.
  • Nearly 60% viewed their debt as a major personal problem.

In addition Millennials in debt are more burdened by student debt than their elders, according to David Coletto, chief executive officer of Abacus Data. He goes on to say, “People are maxing out their student loans and getting loans from family to supplement.”

The reality is that debt is increasing across all demographics and the issues facing Millennials in debt should not be ignored. Whether their debt originated with student loans, credit card debt or some other issue, it needs to be managed as quickly as possible by a professional trustee. Contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. for professional advice and a solid financial plan so that you can live a debt free life Starting Over, Starting Now.

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PARENTS PAYING STUDENT LOANS: SHOULD YOU BORROW FOR YOUR CHILD’S POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION?

parents paying student loans, subprime loans, subprime loan, debt, credit card debt, post-secondary education, bank card interest rate, credit cards, retirement, student debt, starting over starting nowParents paying student loans as the cost of post-secondary education continues to rise at alarming rates, because student debt has reached critical levels. As a result, many families are taking desperate measures to come up with the money, including maxing out their credit cards, risking their homes and retirement incomes, and resorting to subprime loans.

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives reports:

  • Annual fees at Canadian Universities are projected to rise 13% on average to $7,755, having almost tripled over the past 20 years.
  • Students in Ontario can expect to shell out $9,483 on average in tuition and other compulsory fees in 2017-18. Fees in the province have nearly quadrupled over the last 20 years.
  • The price tag for a university degree is significant: when books, living expenses and transportation costs are added to tuition and other compulsory fees, the cost of a four-year university education is estimated to reach over $80,000; of that, residence is estimated at about $31,000.

How many parents are ready and willing to go into debt to provide their child with a post-secondary education? Canadian parents paying student loans are willing to pay for two-thirds of their child’s total education costs, with 21% saying they’re prepared to foot the entire bill even if it means straining their finances, according to research by CIBC.

Credit Card Debt: According to a recent article in the National Post, the typical bank card interest rate continues to hover around 20% annually and department store cards are closer to 30%. It is never advisable to use your credit cards to pay for post-secondary education. Doing so may create a cycle of debt you may not be able to repay. Parents paying student loans through credit card debt must be avoided.

Risking Your Home or Retirement Income: Consider the possibility that something could happen, making it impossible for you to repay your debt. You could lose your home or sacrifice your retirement income. Can you afford to take that chance? Parents paying student loans cannot take precedence over fiscal prudence as parents near retirement.

Subprime Loans: Typically subprime loans are offered at a rate above prime to people who don’t qualify for prime rate loans because they have low credit scores or other factors that make them a high risk to default on debt repayment. Although the subprime loan’s additional points of interest don’t seem too drastic at first glance, they can add up to tens of thousands of dollars in additional interest over the life of the loan. Parents paying student loans should not do so by taking out subprime loans.

Should you borrow money to pay for your child’s post secondary education? Never max out your credit cards, risk your home or retirement income, and never resort to subprime loans. If you can borrow money in a way that doesn’t jeopardize your home, retirement and financial health, by all means, proceed. If your child is eligible for student loans, then a joint effort between the parents paying student loans and the student through part-time work may be one answer.

If you find yourself in debt for any reason including credit card debt or a subprime loan, contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. Debt should be dealt with as quickly and decisively as possible. Starting Over, Starting Now our team will come up with an action plan to restore your life to financial health as soon as possible.

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STUDENT LOAN DEBT, DOES IT AFFECT THE ECONOMY?

STUDENT LOAN DEBT, DOES IT AFFECT THE ECONOMY?Student loan debt is not just a problem for students and their families to deal with. It’s a serious problem that has invaded all facets of our society and has significantly impacted our economy. According to the Canadian Federation of Students:

  • The average student loan debt is $27,000
  • Between 2012 and 2013 more than 400,000 students borrowed money to help pay for more schooling
  • The CSLP (Canada Student Loans Program) expected to lend approximately $2.46 billion during the 2013-14 academic year

Statistics Canada’s Survey of Financial Security reports that student debt grew 44.1% from 1999 to 2012, or 24.4% between 2005 and 2012. And, one in eight Canadian families is carrying student debt. The average student is having a great deal of difficulty paying off their student loans and according to the Canada Student Loans Program, most students take nearly 10 years to pay off their loans – with some taking the maximum 14.5 years. In September 2010 the amount of student loans owed to the Government of Canada was more than $15 billion dollars, which is greater than the debt of some provinces. The federal government has written off another $231 million in unpaid student loans this year from more than 44,000 cases, after exhausting all avenues attempting to collect.

A study last year from TD Bank found that students are increasingly delaying major life milestones due to the rising costs of education. How can someone who is still paying off student loans assume a mortgage or car loan? Students are shackled by their student loan debt and there is no relief. Student loans can only be discharged by bankruptcy if you have been out of school entirely (full time or part time) for 7 years or more. Student loan debt has significantly impacted our economy because university graduates lack the disposable income to create a buoyant housing market, brisk car sales and restricts the purchase of high ticket items which all fuel the economy. The CSLP does not have a program for student loan debt forgiveness or student loan debt relief.

If you’re facing financial crisis or bankruptcy, you need a plan for Starting Over, Starting Now. Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. can solve your problems with immediate action and the right plan. Contact us today.

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FINANCIAL ADVICE THAT YOU SHOULD NEVER FOLLOW

bankruptcy, bankruptcy and insolvency act, credit history, credit rating, credit report, financial advice, insolvency, rebuilding credit, restructuring, student debt, toronto bankruptcy, trustee, vaughan bankruptcy, what is a consumer proposal, what is bankruptcy,woodbridge bankruptcyPeople mean well and many can’t resist giving advice, but when it comes to financial matters ONLY take financial advice from a qualified professional. Here are some classic examples of financial advice that you should never follow.

  • Don’t declare bankruptcy because it will ruin your credit rating. While it’s true that bankruptcy remains on your credit report for quite a while, if you aren’t paying your credit cards and other loans on time, your credit rating is probably already shot. With an insolvency process, we can provide you with easy ways to start rebuilding your credit fast. Without such a process, you will never get out from under your debt and won’t be able to rebuild your credit rating.
  • Credit cards will get you into trouble. Credit cards won’t get you into trouble if you charge only what you can afford to pay off. In fact, credit cards can help you to establish a credit history which future lenders will use when you want to take out a loan or a mortgage. Without a credit history you may find it very difficult to borrow money.
  • A house is always a great investment. Houses are not immune from market fluctuations. The prices of real estate are tied to changing demographics, interest rate spikes and the economy. There is no guarantee that your house will have increased in value at the point in time when you need to sell. Depending on the state of the real estate market when you purchase a home, there is always a possibility that your home may not increase in value and may even decrease in value from time to time, so don’t purchase the house because you need the increased value to be liquid on a specific date.
  • You can live for free if you buy an investment property and rent it out. Television shows on the Home & Garden channel have gone to perpetuate this bad advice. It’s not as easy as it seems on a one hour TV show and it’s a difficult and potentially financially hazardous route to take. Renovations almost always go over budget, so count on spending more than you planned on. Not every tenant is a jewel. Some are extremely difficult and can cost you a lot of time and money. Once you become a landlord you will have to manage your property. You just don’t find a tenant and expect that the property will manage itself. Expect to be called whenever something is not perfect and your tenant will expect immediate action. Be prepared for unexpected expenses.
  • Asking all your friends where can I get a loan with bad credit in Toronto. The lenders that would lend money to someone with debt problems and bad credit already charge extremely high upfront fees, very high interest rates and usually, you will never be able to pay off the loan and perhaps you will even fall behind on interest payments. The collection efforts of these types of lenders are not subtle or pleasant.
  • Student debt is good debt. Debt is debt, and borrowing more than you can repay is never a good idea. The Canadian Federation of Students estimates that average student debt is almost $28,000. According to the Canada Student Loan Program, most students take 10 years to pay off their loans. Does this sound like a good idea? We are certainly not advocating that students don’t pursue post secondary education, but keep the debt to a minimum by going to a more affordable college or university. Work part time during the school terms and full time during vacations.

When you need financial advice seek out a professional. Taking bad advice can be costly. If you are experiencing serious debt issues contact a trustee for advice. Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. is a full service insolvency and financial restructuring practice serving companies and individuals throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) facing financial crisis or bankruptcy that need a plan for Starting Over, Starting Now. We will give you sound financial advice that you can count on.

Call a Trustee Now!