2025-05-26
How to exercise caution when investing in digital currencies
Lifestyle Debt
While digital currencies offer many opportunities, they also carry risks. How can you mitigate those risks before diving into the digital currency market?
2020-01-17
When you first read this headline, which holiday debt sprung to mind?
The remnants of your December generosity?
The tropical vacation you took to chase away the winter blues?
Or, could it be the looming threat of debt to come as the summer holidays stretch ahead?
Whichever holiday debt you’re carrying — or may be thinking of incurring — now’s as good a time as any to change course and make it go away for good.
How to Start
Paying down holiday debt always takes longer than racking it up. Sad, but true — especially if you used credit cards to enjoy a fantastic dream trip.
So how do you start paying down the debt when the fun is over?
If your monthly debt repayment goal will strain your budget, it’s not doable. Lessen the amount and increase the pay off period. Any deficit in your budget may cause you to use credit to cover any overages, defeating the purpose of your pay off plan!
Commit unexpected income to paying off holiday debt or saving for the next holiday. Earmark income tax refunds, year end bonuses or credit card cash back rewards for this purpose.
Review your new goals often to maintain your motivation and keep paying off current holiday debt top of mind. Your next holiday will be here before you know it.
While staying committed to your pay-off plan, ensure you can continue working towards your next holiday goal by setting aside savings. It’s totally possible, especially if you follow these holiday budgeting tips.
Everyone needs a vacation. But vacations can also be a prime time for overspending. You’re relaxed, you let your guard down and before you know it, you’ve already blown your budget. Oh, and it’s only day two!
Before you set your heart on a destination or departure date, have some fun planning. List every potential expense that might come up — like accommodations, tipping, restaurants and special events. You can find a ton of price estimates by combing reviews on travel sites. Also, consider exchange rates if you’re going to another country. Then include a contingency fund for unexpected costs. Don’t rely on credit to make up for expenses you didn’t plan for.
Add up all these expenses, look at the potential cost of your vacation and ask the following questions:
Your honest answers to these questions should help you make wise financial choices for your upcoming vacation.
Come summer family time, making and sticking to a holiday budget doesn’t need to put a damper on your fun. A little pre-planning can help you create great memories while keeping holiday spending stress at bay.
With numerous cost-effective benefits, road trips are often a great budget friendly option.
If you want to keep your holiday spending in check, need to escape from your regular routine, prefer to sleep in your own bed at night and / or don’t want to fight the summer tourist crowds, a staycation is the perfect option.
Create an environment that feels like you’re away from home. Put your phone on airplane mode. Don’t check work emails. And keep the house tidy, so you don’t feel compelled to clean every day.
Start with breakfast at home, pack a tasty picnic lunch and head out for a day of exploring. Kick up your feet at the beach, discover hidden gems in a nearby town or check out a local museum or gallery you’ve always wanted to visit. Keeping it simple and local will streamline your spending.
You can still splurge on treats or evenings out, just ensure you include it in your budget. A staycation can even help you save money to put towards an out of town vacation later on.
Holidays are supposed to help you relax and escape from your busy life. And, with some planning and saving, you can eliminate the stress that overspending and holiday debt can bring long after the fun is all over.
However, if you’re struggling with unmanageable debt from a past vacation that’s getting in the way of your current life and future vacation dreams, MNP can help. Schedule a Free Confidential Consultation with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee today to learn your options.
Together, you’ll review your entire financial situation, discuss your challenges and goals and identify opportunities to achieve the financial fresh start you need and deserve. Whether you qualify for a Life-Changing Debt Solution such as Bankruptcy or a Consumer Proposal — or would benefit from one of several other strategies — they will thoroughly explain each option help you choose your best path toward debt freedom.
It’s time to take a permanent vacation from your debt. Contact us today to make that dream a reality.
2025-05-26
Lifestyle Debt
While digital currencies offer many opportunities, they also carry risks. How can you mitigate those risks before diving into the digital currency market?
2025-01-08
Lifestyle Debt
Imagine this: you’ve just signed up for a gym membership, bought into a timeshare, or switched to a new service plan after someone convinced you it was a good idea. Now, you’re having second thoughts. It’s called buyer’s remorse, and it’s more common than you might think. But here’s the good news: buyer’s remorse laws exist to protect you.
2024-12-18
Lifestyle Debt
The holidays are a time for gathering with friends and family, sharing laughter, and creating memories. But hosting a holiday party can get expensive, especially with rising costs these days. Thankfully, you don’t need to spend a fortune to throw a memorable celebration. Here are some ways on how to host a fantastic holiday party on a budget.