Here’s a figure that will make your eyes bulge out. 200 billion dollars. That is the collective consumer debt of Canadians. And it doesn’t even count mortgages.

The 200 billion is mainly credit card debt and vehicle financing. All the stuff we buy. Ask yourself how long it would take to get into trouble if your pay cheque disappeared.

If you are in credit trouble, hounded by bill collectors, do not go for a quick fix with companies that will tell you they can somehow repair your credit rating. Get you out of trouble. They can’t. You’ll pay them up front money and they’ll do little or nothing to help. Go to a non-profit credit counselling agency-they work with creditors and with you to consolidate your debts and pay them down.