How to Get Through the Holidays Without Piling On Credit Card Debt
Jeff Schwartz from Consolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada Inc., gives tips to consumers on how to put the brakes on credit card holiday spending and avoid sinking further into debt.
Toronto, Ontario (PRWEB) December 10, 2008
With only two weeks left in the holiday season it's not too late to put the brakes on over-spending and avoid debilitating and stressful credit card debt says Jeff Schwartz, Excecutive Director of Consolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada Inc.
The Toronto-based non-profit credit counselling agency has seen a 50 percent increase in clients in the past year, and Schwartz says the lure of retail deals in stores can result in devastating consequences for people already overloaded with credit card debt
"Consumers must remember that they may end up in really bad shape if they over indulge on holiday deals," said Schwartz. "If you go out and charge $1,000 this holiday season and are paying the minimum amount due with an 18% interest rate, it will take over 19 years to pay the credit card debt and you would have repaid the creditor almost triple - $2,900. "If that doesn't dissuade people from overspending - I don't know what will. Consumers who start their holiday shopping without a strategy will likely end up adding to their debt load,"
Here are Consolidated Credit's holiday shopping tips to avoid debt:
1. Pay with cash. Spend money you already have. Use debit cards, cash or write cheques.
2. Make a budget, not a per person budget, but an overall budget for all of your holiday spending. If it's more than you have available, look for areas to trim expenses.
3. Keep track of how much you have spent: on gifts, dining and entertainment. Remember to include travel expenses, holiday clothes, cards, postage, wrapping paper and decorations.
4. Know what you want to buy, and stick to a plan when you shop.
5. Think before using your credit card. If you decide to use credit, borrow only what you can repay within 60 to 90 days.
6. Comparison-shop, particularly for large ticket items. It's good to take advantage of great opportunities, but always ask yourself, "Would I buy this if it wasn't on sale?"
Www. consolidatedcredit. ca
Consolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada Inc. is a non-profit, registered charity with a mission to help people end financial crisis and solve money problems through education and professional counselling. Consolidated Credit is an industry leader that provides credit counselling and debt management services throughout Canada.
For interviews with Jeff Schwartz, please contact Lindsey Low: 416-915-5211.
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