Sometimes, managing too many debts at the same time can be overwhelming for your income. That’s why consumers have the option to consolidate their debts into a single loan or even up for a consumer proposal. But where does the line draw in this consumer proposal vs. debt consolidation matchup? Both can help manage one’s debts in their own way, but this article will highlight the key differences between the two.
Consumer Proposal vs. Debt Consolidation: The Basics
Consumer Proposals
A consumer proposal is a debt settlement agreement that is legally binding between the debtor and a Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT). This is done in order to repay the creditors a percentage of what debtors owe in exchange for complete debt forgiveness.
A consumer proposal offers relief of debt without going towards bankruptcy, especially for Canadians who struggle with monthly debt payments. After all, a consumer proposal is the only debt settlement program that the Canadian government has sanctioned.
The payment terms are typically based on a negotiation between what creditors expect to get and what consumers can afford on their end to pay back. The licensed insolvency trustee, which acts as a consumer proposal administrator, will meet with consumers to have their financial situation reviewed and then help them determine how much they can offer.
Does a consumer proposal consolidate my debt? Indeed it does. But how? A consumer proposal, much like debt consolidation, enables consumers to negotiate a settlement with their creditors to shrink their monthly payments. The only notable difference, however, is that a consumer proposal gets rid of interest payments, office collection effort relief, and reduces outstanding debt. Once you engage in a legal agreement, you’ll be able to pay a fraction of the debts that you’re able to afford.
How To Hire A Licensed Insolvency Trustee In Canada
In Canada, only a licensed insolvency trustee can file consumer proposals. An unlicensed debt consultant or credit counselor is unable to legally provide any consumer proposal service. The only thing they can do is refer you to a trustee licensed via the federal government to offer insolvency and restructuring services. There’s no need for a referral to a LIT and there shouldn’t be any payment of fees to any outside consultant in helping you prepare any kind of paperwork.
Licensed Insolvency Trustees offer the following services:
- Every consultation is free
- You will meet with a LIT as often as you need to
- They will come up with a proper solution for you to afford
- They will explain the debt relief options
Debt Consolidation
Debt consolidation allows consumers to combine a number of unsecured debts such as credit cards, payday loans, and medical bills into a single monthly payment with the hopes of lower interest, a simplified debt relief plan, and a reduced monthly payment. When consumers are bombarded with a number of different types of debt, they apply for only a single loan that ultimately consolidates those debts into one liability and helps consumers pay them off.
There are several ways to consolidate debt, some of which include transferring debt to a zero or low-interest credit card, using a debt repayment consolidation plan to pay back debt, applying for a home equity loan, or taking out a debt consolidation loan.
When looking up options for debt consolidation, you will come across several debt consolidation companies. Some of those companies are legitimate, in reference to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, however, others can be very risky. That’s because the CFPB warns that other companies will convince you to stop paying your debts, and instead have them pay into a “special account”. The company will then try to use that money to negotiate with creditors to have the amount of the principle you pay off reduced.
If you’re going to consider this option, then you need to speak with a nonprofit credit counselor because debt settlement could seriously jeopardize your credit.
Pros and Cons of Consumer Proposals
Consumer proposals can be a great way to take care of your debts, but it’s not exactly a perfect solution. Here Is a list of the pros and cons of consumer proposal:
Pros
- A consumer proposal protects all of your assets. These assets include home equity, investments, and tax refunds.
- Debts are reduced by up to 70%. Only 30% of what you owe to your unsecured creditors are paid and the remaining amount is eliminated.
- You are offered an interest-free repayment plan
- Your assets will be kept from liquidation.
- Once the proposal is filed, you don’t have to worry about communicating with your creditors
- There’s a less severe impact on credit rating than bankruptcy.
- Reduction of total unsecured debt as possible
Cons
- You must have a resizable fund or asset, or a steady income to pay for a consumer proposal. If not, then bankruptcy is your only option.
- Only unsecured debts like personal loans, credit cards, tax debts, and student loans are included in a consumer proposal. Your car loans and mortgages are exempt.
- If your credit score is bad due to missing some payments as you apply for a consumer proposal, your credit rating will be negatively affected.
- Protection doesn’t apply to secured creditors who could seize the assets if you default on payment
- The rules could make some aspects of the consumer proposal process come off as inflexible.
Pros and Cons of Debt Consolidation
Some of the upsides to debt consolidation include:
Pros
- Every credit card debt payment is rolled into a single monthly payment.
- You could end up with a lower interest rate
- You can repay the debt sooner, especially if you have a considerable credit card debt
- You’ll be avoiding credit damage
- You’ll be making only one payment
Cons
- Missing even a single payment can hurt your credit score
- Using credit before paying off the consolidated debt can put you in more hot water
- You’ll possibly be charged extra fees, especially for the late fees, interest and more
- It doesn’t guarantee that you won’t go into debt again
- It hardly ever addresses the reason why you were struggling with debt in the first place
When Is A Consumer Proposal Worth It?
After viewing the cons, you’re probably asking yourself “is a consumer proposal worth it?” We don’t wish to hold your hand when it comes to making financial decisions for your own needs. A consumer proposal can be a good idea for anybody who is struggling to manage their debt. And even though they’re becoming more popular in Canada, not everyone is going to benefit from it.
Consumer proposals could take longer than bankruptcy to complete. When you’re reducing your monthly payment with a consumer proposal, you’ll be repaying the creditors after quite a while. But, if there is any improvement in your financial stance, then you can pay the proposal off early.
If you’re lacking significant income, or don’t have assets for banks to seize, then filing for personal bankruptcy could be your only way out. To get a better understanding of this option, your Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT) will help clarify things for you during the consultation.
And if your LIT is filing your consumer proposal, make sure that the trustee you have makes a huge impact on your debt reduction. Sometimes, one trustee is better than the other and each one has a different interpretation of the bankruptcy act. But remember, trustees are often loyal to creditors, and can’t exactly advocate for you to get the most appropriate settlement.
When Should You Choose Debt Consolidation?
Choosing to opt for debt consolidation depends on both your personal financial situation and the kind of debt consolidation you want to be considered. You’ll notice that this is what you want if you’re able to afford the payments, and when your credit score is good enough to acquire a debt consolidation. It’s only then that debt consolidation can be better for you than a consumer proposal.
Unlike a consumer proposal, debt consolidation doesn’t negatively impact one’s credit score. And you’ll still be able to pay the original debt back, it’s just that you picked a more sensible route that comes with interest payments fewer than a consumer proposal.
When you opt for debt consolidation, you’ll want to pay the outstanding debt in about a year or less than that – definitely not above 3 years. But in the event you are unable to pay the debt off in about five years, then it’s time to start leaning towards bankruptcy.
Conclusion
Now we come to the conclusion of this consumer proposal vs debt settlement rivalry. As you can see, both a consumer proposal or debt consolidation can offer consumers debt relief in their own unique ways. Each one comes with its own set of pros and cons that you need to carefully consider before deciding to opt for either of them. In the end, it all falls on you about which of these two is appropriate for your financial situation.
FAQs
Is a consumer proposal worth it?
Yes. if you feel that you want to settle your debt and if you can pay the proposal off early, you may have a chance to improve your financial situation.
How does a consumer proposal consolidate my debt?
Consumer proposals help consumers negotiate an agreement between them and their creditors to reduce monthly payments. Consumer proposal gets rid of interest payments, office collection effort relief, and reduces outstanding debt.
How does a consumer proposal work in Canada?
The payment terms for a consumer proposal are based on a negotiation between what creditors expect to get and what consumers can afford on their end to pay back.
How do you build credit after a consumer proposal?
To build credit after a consumer proposal, you’ll need to pay the proposal off as soon as possible.
What happens if a credit rejects a consumer proposal?
If you have a bad credit score, or you are unable to secure a consumer proposal, then your only option would be opting for bankruptcy.
How long does a consumer proposal stay on your credit report?
The longest that a consumer proposal will remain on a Canadian credit report is 6 years from the day that consumers file their proposal based on several recently updated guidelines.