How do you think you got into financial trouble?
Wanting to buy things for others.
How did that make you feel?
Terrible.
How long did it take you to get back on your feet financially?
5 years.
Is your outlook on life different now that you are debt free?
Extremely.
How did dealing with your debt help in other areas of your life?
Made me much calmer and happier.
If you had a chance for a “do-over” in your life what would you have done differently that could have prevented, you from getting into debt?
No credit cards.
What influenced you the most to change your spending habits?
Counsel from your company.
How did Credit Counselling Services of Atlantic Canada help you with your situation?
They helped me establish a budget that was very doable for me.
How did it feel when you finished working with Credit Counselling Services and became debt free?
Happy, excited, overjoyed.
What are you doing now to ensure you don’t repeat past financial mistakes?
Cash for everything and saving for the future.
If you were to experience financial difficulty again, would you use credit counselling to get back on track?
Yes.
How has becoming debt free allowed you to plan for your future?
Now, I can save some money for retirement.
Have you been able to educate/encourage other members of your family to budget and save?
Not yet.
If you had to give up one daily expense to be debt free, what would it be?
I don’t really have daily expenses, but on a weekly basis, I would be more careful about wasting food. Shop only for what I will use and do not throw it out.
