C. Buhler & Associates Ltd.

The harsh reality is that for many people caught in a predatory loan cycle, filing for protection may be their only option. Initial meetings with licenced insolvency trustees are free, and they will explain all your financial options - NOT just bankruptcy. Reach out for your free consultation today - we can chat with you by phone, video or in person by appointment!

Canadians with strained resources or poor credit, often turn to alternative lenders, such as payday lenders. These lenders are for the most part lenders of last resort. They either don’t qualify for loans from mainstream institutions, or they have exhausted their available credit. How can you avoid the payday loan cycle? First, ensure you are accessing all the benefits to you are entitled. There are significant income support programs, such as GST rebates, that are delivered through the income tax system. Hundreds of millions of dollars go unclaimed because many low-income individuals who would be eligible for these programs don’t file their income tax returns. Be sure to file your return, even if you didn't make the filing deadline, to ensure you get the benefits to which you are entitled.

Whoo hoo! Thanks for mentioning us on Debt Free in 30 Hoyes Michalos! Great summary of the Federal Budget btw. Did you hear about the upcoming changes? Check out the you tube version here: https://youtu.be/0D9VCiejq7E?si=XwhtYnN6tDIu6Aki

Our office will be closed on Good Friday. Happy Easter!

Not sure where to go to get your income taxes filed? Check out this CRA tool to locate a free Income Tax Service near you https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/free-tax-help.html

When we work through a budget with our clients, we always ask about the cost of their pets. Many people express guilt about the cost, but they quickly find out that our team doesn't judge - we know pets can be a form of stress relief and companionship, and they have a positive impact on health. Properly planning for these furry friends should be a part of every good pet owner's budget. Remember to include not just food and treats, but also vet care, bedding, litter, training, and emergency care. Love animals but just can't fit them in your budget? No problem! There are many organizations that would love for you to spend an hour or two helping with theirs, or will help with the care costs if you might foster. Consider walking a dog at or helping out 🦮🐱.
Pictured here are Business Manager Kevin's "Sunni" (2 yr old Golden Retriever) and Trustee Crystal's "Cheesey" (5 yr old DSH ginger) bonding during their recent snow day

Looking for a mortgage or car loan? Be sure to check your credit prior to beginning a major purchase, and correct any errors you find. Did you know you can correct errors on your own, for free? Check out this guide from our friend Richard Moxley https://youtu.be/zuuGtBR40QY?si=qoSIk142vnfp_cBb

How to dispute errors on your credit report (3 options in Canada) The number one way to increase your credit score in Canada is to remove errors from your credit report. This one action can take you from bad credit to good ...

Ever wonder WHY your credit report isn't the same on Transunion and Equifax? Or how exactly Borrowell or Credit Karma work? And which one does your bank use when making credit decisions? Here is one of the best explanations of Canada's credit reporting system - definately worth a listen!
https://youtu.be/5BsxZFrV4dU?si=MD_zBEGcYhElh5mb

Keeping an eye on your credit score can do more than just ensure you are credit-worthy. Did you know that changes on your credit bureau can be one of the first red flags of identity theft? Scammers who sucessfully impersonate you and apply for credit can't generally block the impact of new, or increased, credit accounts. Watch your bureau for newly opened accounts, accounts in collections, recent increases in credit limits, or changes to your address or phone number that you didn't initiate.
Not sure how to get a copy of your report? Easy! Get your Equifax report here: https://www.consumer.equifax.ca/personal/products/credit-score-report/
You might also try apps such as Borrowell or Credit Karma.
One last catch - the credit score you access from these options is NOT necessarily the same as the one a lender will see when you apply for credit. Why is that? Follow our page to find out - our next posts focus on learning about your credit score!

My bank said I can't get a loan without a co-signer, and I don't have one. I don't want to file bankruptcy. What else can I do?
Ask an LIT!



https://debtfreenorth.com/services/consumer-proposals/

Must be a Monday! We are having slight "technical difficulties" - our phones are down this morning! Our team is working to re-establish communications here shortly, however if you have an urgent need, feel free to reach out to us by email at [email protected]

Still true!

Is this you? We understand! We're happy to 'chat' with you by email, text us through our website! Got a question about your debt situation? Send it to us at [email protected]

Are you an entrepreneur/founder who is considering using your personal credit to support your business? Feeling the cash crunch and wondering if you should take on personal debt to keep the business afloat?
Hear what our Trustee has to say, and learn how a beloved Canadian winter passtime is simliar to operating a business with debt.
Tune in https://www.nailthenumbers.com/post/episode-29-ntn-pro-crystal-buhler

If you’re struggling with debt, don’t wait too long. Be proactive and seek help sooner rather than later - learn about your options here: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/office-superintendent-bankruptcy/en/compare-debt-solutions

Wishing you peace, joy and a meaningful Christmas season
Happy Holidays!
For the week of December 26th, we are available by appointment, with regular hours resuming on January 2nd

The Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcyand .ca want to help Canadians
avoid debt-relief scams. This debt
questionnaire will help you determine possible
debt solution options to deal with your
financial difficulties: https://isedisde.canada.ca/osb-bsf/dq-qd/debt-questionnaire/en

tl:dr: “Debt Advisors” are people who represent themselves as debt advisory specialists, and are often confused with LITs. Debt advisors may make claims that are false and misleading. They may position themselves as advocates for the debtor, implying that without their intervention, the debtor will not be treated fairly, or that the LIT will only represent the creditors’ interests. Debtors do not need a debt advisor to access an LIT and make an insolvency filing under the BIA. Debtors can discuss their financial situation directly with an LIT and LITs generally offer a free initial consultation. LITs must meet mandatory education, experience, and licensing requirements. Their fees are regulated and debtors can file complaints with the OSB if they have concerns with an LIT. https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/office-superintendent-bankruptcy/en/licensed-insolvency-trustees/adverse-effects-of-the-debt-advisory-marketplace-on-the-insolvency-system

LITs are impartial. LITs are regulated. You don't need a referral to talk to an LIT. Your consultation with our LIT is free.

The Office of the Superintendent of
Bankruptcy’s Debt Solutions Portal is here to
help those in distress find accurate & reliable
information and options to deal with their
financial difficulties. Explore the portal here:
https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/officesuperintendent-bankruptcy/en/options-youcan-trust-help-you-your-debt

Looking for help with your debt? To find a
CIRP-designated Licensed Insolvency Trustee
who can provide you with personalized,
practical and timely debt solutions visit:
https://cairp.ca/find-a-cirp.html

Elisabeth Lang, Superintendent of Bankruptcy,
urges Canadians struggling with debt to seek
out advice from a reputable source:

“Anyone facing financial struggles and serious
debt problems may be tempted to seek a

quick solution from an unregulated debt
advisor. But be careful before you pay for
services you may not need. Instead, anyone
wondering about a consumer proposal or
bankruptcy should meet with a Licensed
Insolvency Trustee.”

Asking for help with your debt is the first step.
Licensed Insolvency Trustees generally offer
free consultations, with no commitment and
no up-front fees, to give you a realistic picture
of the debt relief options available for your
situation.
https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/tds/web/?lang=eng

When seeking out help to deal with your debt,
remember that Licensed Insolvency Trustees
are the ONLY professionals authorized to
administer government-regulated insolvency
options including consumer proposals and
bankruptcies.

Find a Licensed Insolvency Trustee here:
https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/tds/web/?lang=eng

Not all situations end in bankruptcy. A
Licensed Insolvency Trustee may recommend
non-insolvency options to help you deal with
your debt, such as talking to your creditors,
consolidating your debts, and establishing and
following a budget or a Debt Management
Plan (DMP).


Determine the best debt-relief solution for your
unique situation by speaking with a Licensed
Insolvency Trustee.
https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/tds/web/?lang=eng

André Bolduc, Chair of .ca, says:
“Feeling overwhelmed or at the point of crisis is
what propels many to finally reach out for
debt help. At that point, they are also the most

vulnerable to debt relief scams that may
involve high-pressure sales tactics or unrealistic promises to quickly solve their debt problems,
often putting them deeper in debt with high
fees. The good news is that there are telltale
signs to help Canadians avoid becoming
victims of unscrupulous debt advisory firms and
they can avoid debt-relief scams altogether
by speaking with a licensed professional, such
as a Licensed Insolvency Trustee.”

Use this handy table to compare debt solution
options that could help you manage your
debt: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/officesuperintendent-bankruptcy/en/comparedebt-solutions

Beware of debt-relief scams. Some unlicensed
debt advisory firms charge hundreds or even
thousands of dollars in unnecessary fees for
services they're not licensed to provide & often
misrepresent the services they offer.

Seek debt help from a Licensed Insolvency
Trustee:
https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/tds/web/?lang=eng

A few years ago, I tripped across an overgrown garden full of poppies, seeded decades before, and left to multiply as poppies do, and I snapped this photo. Every time I see it, I think of Flanders fields.
We are forever grateful, and indebted to those who served and their families. They served so we haven't had to.
Today, we take time to savor our freedom, and be thankful.

Always ask if the person or company you are dealing with is a "Licensed Insolvency Trustee".... Not if they are licensed... Not if they went to school... The term you want is "Licensed Insolvency Trustee". LITs never charge up front fees, and are held accountable for their advice, unlike these debt advisory 'scams' (the article's description, not mine).

Pro tip: if you are getting debt advice, ask the advisor for their License number.... Most of us can rattle it off by heart, but even if not, we can look it up very quickly!

Canadians victimized by debt-relief scams | CityNews Calgary Canada's Better Business Bureau says 11,000 complaints have been made about fraudulent debt-relief companies so far this year.

To our clients in all parts of NWT, please check your inbox for details on how to request a payment deferral on your Consumer Proposal or Bankruptcy due to the situation.
Our thoughts are with our northern friends, businesses, communities and the fire crews as they battle to protect homes and buildings.
Stay safe 🙏