No one can reasonably expect to go from a couch potato to marathon runner overnight.
Getting into shape takes time and a plan, and that's exactly how the Thunder Bay Counselling Centre wants people to think when it comes to their financial well-being.
With holiday bills at the door and New Year's resolutions top of mind, phones at the centre have been ringing a lot lately as people are looking for help to manage debt loads.
Education and support services manager Sheri Fata said the first step to being debt free is facing financial fears, looking at what you have and making a budget. "It's really about dealing with it," she said.
Finances can scare people. Some are embarrassed but Fata said the centre offers free consultation and assessments to help. From not being able to afford food to just managing credit cards, people from all walks of life have been helped but they need to reach out first. "Just actually make that first phone call," she said.
With lower interest rates over the past few years, Fata said a lot of people are starting to use debt to pay off other debt. While that might work for a while, any change, like losing a job, will make that debt impossible to manage. "We see that a lot," she said.
It's also important to pay attention to the type of debt you're taking on. Quick loans and credit cards can be a lot more trouble than they're worth. "Watch what those interest rates are," Fata said. "People should really be reading what they're signing up for."
Fore more information visit Thunder Bay Credit Counselling's website .
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