For more than 20 years, 62-year-old Margrete of Wolfville, NS, worked as a seasonal employee with the province. Every year, she faced the same difficult reality of having to bridge the gap between Employment Insurance and her paycheques. Like many Canadians, she relied on credit cards to do so.
“It wasn’t that I was spending recklessly,” she explains. “I just wasn’t making enough money to cover my bills.”
When she approached her financial institution looking for a small overdraft to help cover rent, she was instead offered another credit card. As her limits increased, so did her debt. Before long, she owed more than $20,000 across multiple creditors and had even borrowed money from family just to get by.
“I honestly didn’t know what to do,” she recalls.
Finding help close to home
While searching online for debt consolidation companies, Margrete came across SolveYourDebts.com.
“What stood out was that they were Maritime-based, local and not-for-profit. It felt much friendlier than the others. I saw real people on the website instead of stock photos, and I decided to give them a call.”
That phone call changed everything. From her very first conversation with a certified financial counsellor, Margrete says she felt like a huge weight was lifted off her shoulders.
Like many people reaching out for help, Margrete worried she’d be judged for her financial situation. Instead, she found compassion.
“The care and compassion I received were incredible. There was no blame, no shame, no judgment. The counsellor I spoke with was so reassuring, and it really gave me a lot of instant relief.”
Working together with her counsellor, Margrete created a debt repayment plan that fit her budget. SolveYourDebts.com also negotiated with her creditors, helping reduce interest rates. One creditor eliminated interest entirely while another reduced it to less than 5%.
“The monthly payment was actually manageable once I saw everything laid out. When the interest dropped, I could finally see my balances going down.”
Perhaps even more importantly, she no longer had to deal with collection calls or the constant stress of wondering what to do next.
“I had a plan. As long as I made my payments, everything was going to be okay.”
Support every step of the way
Margrete admits she worried she wouldn’t have the discipline to stick with her repayment plan. But she never felt like she was facing it alone.
“If I was struggling or had questions, I knew I could call my counsellor anytime. Talking with her always made me feel better. She kept reminding me that this was doable.”
Along the way, she also participated in budgeting and money management workshops to strengthen her financial skills.
“I’ve dealt with other organizations before that simply told me I didn’t make enough money. Others just wanted to sell me financial products. Nobody could help me learn how to manage my money day to day, until I came to SolveYourDebts.com.
Becoming debt-free
In 2025, after the passing of her mother, Margrete received an inheritance. Unsure whether to invest the money or pay off her remaining debt, she reached out to her counsellor for guidance.
Together, they decided that becoming debt-free would provide the greatest long-term financial security. So Margrete paid off every dollar she owed years ahead of schedule.
“The feeling that I’m going into retirement without debt is amazing. Knowing you don’t owe anyone anything…it’s such a relief.”
Today, despite experiencing another layoff and working part-time, Margrete says she’s in a far stronger financial position than before. She has an emergency fund, no credit card debt and the confidence to move forward.
“I still have challenges, but I don’t have debt hanging over me anymore.”
You don’t have to face debt alone
Margrete assures others that asking for help isn’t something to be ashamed of.
“Things happen. The cost of living goes up. Life changes. The fear is real, but SolveYourDebts.com helps you move beyond it. They walk beside you through the whole process.”
At SolveYourDebts.com, we’re a free, local, non-profit organization helping people across Atlantic Canada build healthier financial futures. Whether you’re overwhelmed by debt, struggling to create a budget or simply looking for practical financial education, our certified financial counsellors are here to help—with no judgment and no pressure.
Like Margrete discovered, sometimes all it takes is one conversation to start moving forward.
Ready to take the first step? Contact SolveYourDebts.com today for a free, confidential appointment with one of our local credit counsellors.
