A consumer proposal is an incredibly valuable tool for relieving your debts. You can have some of your debts forgiven without enduring the same financial repercussions as a bankruptcy. However, as many Canadians kickstart their own small businesses, it becomes harder to understand what debts qualify for a consumer proposal. Popular questions we get are...Continue reading

Consequences of Being in Debt You Didn’t Know About: Psychological and Financial Debt is an all-too-common burden for many individuals and families in Canada. While the financial pressures of debt are widely acknowledged, there are numerous lesser-known consequences that can significantly impact various aspects of your life, both emotionally and practically. In this article, we...Continue reading

Taxes and debt relief are two of the most complex aspects of Canada’s financial system. Going through a debt management process like a consumer proposal or bankruptcy is tricky as is, but it’s made even more difficult when considering how they change your tax filings and refunds. This blog will demystify the connection between a...Continue reading

Filing for bankruptcy is a difficult decision, but the decision is made even harder when you’re a renter. The ability to rent a place to live is very dependent on an individual’s credit history, with bankruptcy taking a major toll on one’s credit. As the cost of living has increased tremendously, more people in Canada...Continue reading

Facing wage garnishment is a stressful and overwhelming experience, adding strain and uncertainty to your already difficult financial situation. In Canada, creditors have the legal authority to garnish wages to recover unpaid debts. This means a set amount of money will be taken out of your paycheque and given to creditors each payday.  If you’re...Continue reading

20-year financial veteran Paul Murphy shows how to rebuild your credit in Canada, the mechanics of how credit ratings are calculated, and why missing a payment or two isn’t as large a factor in credit ratings as you might think.  Today, I want to answer one of the biggest questions we get: how to rebuild my...Continue reading

Here’s a breakdown of the 10 best debt relief companies in Canada using review data available on the independent site Trustpilot. About the author: Paul Murphy is a debt and credit rebuilding expert at 4 Pillars. 4 Pillars Financial Wellness is the largest independent debtor advocacy firm in Canada focusing on financial education and financial...Continue reading

This article is by Paul Murphy, our VP and financial literacy expert with 15+ years of investment and banking industry experience.   If you’ve ever floated a balance on a credit card, you’ve likely asked yourself: how does credit card interest work in Canada? Continue reading

If your debts are too high for you to pay off, a consumer proposal may be a vital avenue to starting a debt-free life — however, many are cautious about starting a consumer proposal when their debts are co-signed. Can you start a consumer proposal if the debt is co-signed? Will the co-signer be forgiven...Continue reading

I think you’ll really agree with me when I say that the debt industry is really confusing, especially when it comes to consumer proposal vs. bankruptcy. You have credit counselling societies, bankruptcy trustees, debt settlement firms, consolidation loans, consumer proposals, and a lot of different views on how you should deal with your debt. The...Continue reading