📅 Last Updated: November 3, 2021
✏️ Written By Kale Havervold
🕵️ Fact-Checked by Caitlin Wood

Each province has its own struggles with debt from time to time, but few have it as bad as Prince Edward Island. While PEI doesn’t have the most consumer debt in terms of the amount it carries per capita, they do have one of the largest increases in Canadian consumer debt over the past few years.

In fact, the consumer debt level in Prince Edward Island has risen 8.25% since last year. As a result, more and more people in the province are beginning to get in over their heads when it comes to their debt. While some can battle it alone (because of their high income etc.), that is not the case for everyone. Some people require help to get out of debt. One of the most common forms of debt relief is credit counselling. If you’re looking for help tacking your debt and think credit counselling in Prince Edward Island is the right option for you, we can help.

What is Credit Counselling?

Credit counselling is a service that helps people get rid of their debts through education, budgeting, and other financial tools. During one of these programs, you will work closely with a qualified professional, who will teach you how to make better choices concerning your money. They will ensure that you are equipped with all the skills and guidance you need to succeed.

While credit counselling won’t get rid of your debt automatically, it will help teach you how to deal with your financial issues and how to avoid getting into debt trouble again in the future. Of course, you’ll first have a discussion with your counsellor about all the other debt relief options available to you, just to make sure that credit counselling in Prince Edward Island is the best choice for you.

Want to know how long credit counselling usually take? Read this.

How Does the Process of Credit Counselling Work?

Good question. Well, the first step is to find a credit counselling agency, see what programs they have available and determine if they can help you. There is a good chance that your city or town will have at least one agency available. In larger towns and cities you might have a number of choices (later on in this article, we will look at how you can choose which agency to work with).

Once you have chosen an agency, you will begin to receive assistance from a professional counsellor, who will work with you and come up with ways to help you reduce your debt. This will include teaching you about budgeting, how to reduce your spending, and much more. Ultimately, however, it’s up to you to put these plans into action and make a real change in your life.

The True Cost of BorrowingDo you know what the true cost of borrowing is? Click here to find out.

Credit Counselling is Safe and Confidential

You don’t have to worry about these counsellors judging you or releasing any of the information that is spoken about in your meetings. It is a confidential service and you will be treated with respect no matter what your situation looks like. Of course, for them to give you the best advice possible, you will need to tell them about your personal information, including your debts, assets, income, spending, and financial goals. This will help them decide what the best course of action will be to get you out of debt.

Credit counselling agencies can also help negotiate with creditors, assist with debt consolidation, and come up with a suitable debt repayment plan with you. In the end, they are doing more than just educating you. These counsellors supply very valuable knowledge and have helped thousands get out, and stay out of debt.

Read this to see how you should handle your first credit counselling session.

What To Look for in a Credit Counselling Agency?

So, if you’ve decided that credit counselling is the right debt relief option for you, how do you know what to look for in an agency?

The first, most important thing to do is your own independent research. The internet has plenty of reviews and ratings. Even your friends and family members may be able to help you out. If a place has several bad reviews and a bad reputation, you might want to look elsewhere to make sure you are treated fairly and get the best help possible. Simply look up the various credit counselling services in Prince Edward Island and see what you can find out about them. Make your choice based on what you find, and be sure to visit them in person as well before you agree to anything or sign any contracts.

Should credit counselling be your New Year’s Resolution? Click here if you can’t decide.

Also, most credit counselling services will require you to pay for their services, except for a few that are will have no costs attached. Because of this, you will also have to consider the price of the agency you’re looking at. Since you may already be in debt at this point, you’ll want to make sure you aren’t overpaying for their services. However, you don’t necessarily want to go with the cheapest option either. It is all about weighing the cost of the service vs. the value you get with each agency.

How Do You Know If You Need Credit Counselling?

Now that you know a bit about credit counselling in Prince Edward Island and how to look for the right agency, how do you know if you need to seek out credit counselling in the first place? The question is fairly difficult to answer, as it depends on each person’s unique life situation. Some people can deal with large amounts of debts, whereas others don’t feel comfortable with any at all. It’s also going to depend on your income, how much savings you have, how large your debts are, and whether or not you’re able to handle them.

There is no right or wrong time to reach out for debt relief assistance. Basically, you should seek out credit counselling or another debt relief option once you feel you cannot manage your debt anymore. You can also try it out if you simply want to increase your financial knowledge, so you can stop your debt from getting worse.

For a more detailed article about the signs that you need credit counselling, look here.

What Are The Alternatives to Credit Counselling?

While credit counselling in Prince Edward Island is a great option for a lot of different people, it is not the only option when you are struggling with debts and want some assistance. You can decide to consolidate your debts (which is when you take out one larger loan to pay off all your smaller debts) or even potentially settle your debt for less than the original amount if your creditors agree.

Read this for more helpful information about debt consolidation.

Of course, if your situation is quite dire and you don’t see a way out of debt, bankruptcy is a viable option for you as well. However, bankruptcy should only be considered as a last resort, as it can severely damage your credit for quite a while. Any good credit counselling agency should go over these other options with you and help you make an informed choice, one that is right for you and your financial goals.

Considering bankruptcy? Make sure to consider all these better options first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does credit counselling affect credit history?

It will negatively impact your credit, but less so than a consumer proposal or bankruptcy. When you include your debts in a credit counselling program, they’ll be reported with a poor rating of R7 and stay in your credit report for 2 years. With a consumer proposal, they’ll get the same rating but will stay for 3 years. With bankruptcy, the debts will get the worst rating of R9 and won’t be cleared for 7 years for the first bankruptcy, and 14 years for any repeats.

Can debt collectors still contact me while I’m in a credit counselling program?

Unlike consumer proposals and bankruptcies, there are no laws against contacting debtors in a credit counselling program. However, you are unlikely to be contacted for collections so long as you keep up with the payments as agreed upon in your credit counselling program.

How is a consumer proposal different from credit counselling?

Consumer proposals are legally binding, making them more of a commitment. You aren’t legally bound with credit counselling, but it lacks certain advantages. Consumer proposals can actually renegotiate the total amount that you owe to your creditors. Credit counselling can only reduce interest rates or extend the time to repay your outstanding debts. In either case, they are reported as R7 on your credit report.

Final Thoughts

Credit counselling in Prince Edward Island is a great debt relief option and is a good way to get back on track financially. We hope that this article has taught you all you need to know about credit counselling and whether it is really the right choice for you. If you are ever concerned or curious about credit counselling, or other debt relief options, be sure to speak to a professional.

More From Our Experts

Debt Consolidation Loan Rejection: Reasons and What Can You Do?
Debt Consolidation Loan Rejection: Reasons and What Can You Do?

You applied for a debt consolidation loan to finally start tackling your debt but then you got denied. Now what?

Statute of Limitations In Ontario For Debt
Statute of Limitations In Ontario For Debt

Everything you need and want to know about the statute of limitations in Ontario for debt.

How To Manage Debt: Credit Cards, Mortgages, And Beyond
How To Manage Debt: Credit Cards, Mortgages, And Beyond

From mortgage debt to consumer debt we have the top tips you need to learn how to manage debt responsibly and effectively.

Canadian Debt Collection Laws: How To Stop Collection Harassment
Canadian Debt Collection Laws: How To Stop Collection Harassment

Are you currently being harassed by a debt collection company? Learn about the Canadian debt collection laws.

What Happens When I Can’t Make My Loan Payments?
What Happens When I Can’t Make My Loan Payments?

Are you missing loan payments? What happens If you can't pay your loan? Finf out what happens and what you can do.

Good Debt vs Bad Debt
Good Debt vs Bad Debt

What's the difference between good debt vs bad debt? What factors determine whether debt can be considered good vs bad? Find out...

Can I Get A Debt Consolidation Loan With Bad Credit?
Can I Get A Debt Consolidation Loan With Bad Credit?

Can you get a debt consolidation loan with bad credit? Find out how you can qualify for one and where you can get one.

Credit Counselling Canada: How Does It Work?
Credit Counselling Canada: How Does It Work?

Credit counsellors provide financial education and services to Canadians at all different ages and stages of life.

Should You Answer Your Collection Calls?
Should You Answer Your Collection Calls?

Is your debt so bad that you're now being contacted by collection agencies? Find out if you should answer your collection calls and the rules surround...

How To Consolidate Credit Card Debt In Canada: A Complete Guide
How To Consolidate Credit Card Debt In Canada: A Complete Guide

Learn how to consolidate credit card debt into a single loan or account at a lower rate can provide meaningful financial relief. This guide covers pro...

Why choose Loans Canada?

Apply Once &
Get Multiple Offers
Save Time
And Money
Get Your Free
Credit Score
Free
Service
Expert Tips
And Advice
Exclusive
Offers
Caitlin Wood Priyanka Correia Lisa Rennie Bryan Daly Cris Ravazzano Margaret Johnson Kale Havervold Liz Enriquez Sean Cooper Veronica Ott Corrina Murdoch Chrissy Kapralos

A Team of Experts

Get expert tips and guidance from a community of renown personal finance experts right here at Loans Canada. We're here to help you stay informed so you can make the best financial decisions.

Build Credit For Just $10/Month

With KOHO's prepaid card you can build a better credit score for just $10/month.

Koho Prepaid Credit Card