In a Bankruptcy or a Consumer Proposal you are required to complete two counseling sessions which are completed in our Cambridge office with a qualified and experienced credit counsellor.
However counselling services are also offered outside the scope of a Bankruptcy or Consumer Proposal.
Danielle Ratford & Glyn Bickford
Friday I sat down with Glyn Bickford a credit counsellor from Credit and Debt Services, who performs counselling for people from Cambridge who are experiencing financial difficulty. I took this opportunity to ask her some questions related to her services and the benefits of credit counselling. Here are some highlights from our discussion.
Q: Should I meet with a credit counsellor before I meet with a Trustee In Bankruptcy?
A: Sometimes clients will come in to see a credit counsellor before meeting with a trustee because they feel intimidated by the process, by meeting with a counsellor we can assist them and guide them in the appropriate direction for their situation. We are able to help initiate the process should they decide to file a Bankruptcy or Consumer Proposal and work closely with the trustee.
Q: What do you feel is the biggest misconception about credit counselling?
A: Often times, people I meet with feel as if they are going to be judged with regards to the current situation they are in and can sometimes be defensive because of it. A credit counsellor is not there to judge, rather they are there to help and make the client feel comfortable discussing their situation. Also, sometimes people assume that the counselling session will take place in a group setting, which is not the case, all our sessions are completed in a one on one format.
Q: What would you say is the biggest benefit of credit counselling?
A: Budget management is an important topic that we discuss; a budget is the foundation of financial management. Sometimes I will meet with clients who have no experience with creating a good budget, and they find this to be an extremely helpful and valuable tool. When I meet with people during a Consumer Proposal or Bankruptcy, the service is provided at no cost to the client, so its a good opportunity to get professional advice for free.
Q: What are some topics I can expect to discuss during a session?
A: First and foremost budgeting, we will also discuss the causes of your current financial situation, and warning sings of financial difficulties going forward. We discuss what percentage of your income should be designated for certain expenses such as debt repayment, as well as ways to re-establish credit.
Set up a meeting today with a professional that can help you.
Q: How can a credit counsellor help someone through a Bankruptcy or Consumer Proposal?
A: Credit counsellors can help individuals through the Bankruptcy or Consumer Proposal process by assisting with money management skills for the future, as well as explaining any questions you have about the Bankruptcy or Consumer Proposal process. However one of the biggest advantages of meeting with a credit counsellor is being able to “share” the stress by discussing your feelings and talking through the process and what lead to your current situation. Clients will often leave counseling sessions feeling like they have gained a better understanding of how to manage their finances as well as a renewed sense of hope and like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders.
If you feel that meeting with a local credit counsellor such as Glyn from Credit & Debt Services will be beneficial or are simply considering your options, call us at 519 622 3773 or send us an email we would be happy to help you make a plan to deal with your finances.
how's it going me old mucker? - posted on 2 days ago
