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faseehthemoonman

Consumer Debt - 7 views

Question #1 As the holiday season approaches, will consumers be able to go back to the old ways of gift giving, or will the Grinch (monkey) on their back, make them over spend and increase consume...

consumer debt

started by faseehthemoonman on 26 Nov 12 2 follow-ups, last by faseehthemoonman on 26 Nov 12
Dyena Huynh

Study: Canadian consumer debt hits $26,768, highest in two years - 1 views

www.digitaljournal.com/...336848

shared by Dyena Huynh on 26 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • Canadian consumer debt grew at the fastest pace since the fourth quarter of 2010
  • Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney has been warning households of its growing debt rate and officials are continuing to caution that household spending levels are starting to get out of control.
  • Dyena Huynh on 26 Nov 12
     
    1. Why do think consumer debt increased so much? 2. They say that getting consumers to spend more will help boost the economy, but is it beneficial when consumers are going into debt?
  • Brijesh Patel on 26 Nov 12
     
    1. i believe consumer debt has increased drastically because the generation is upgrading really quickly with new things, mainly technology and many people want to be caught up with the latest trends whether it is buying the latest iphone, clothing, real estate, buying a car etc. People begin to borrow heavy loans without thinking of a way to pay back therefore causing a big debt to themselves.
  • Samson Luong on 27 Nov 12
     
    1. I believe consumer debt has increased greatly due to the need to purchase luxuries and unnecessary goods because we live in a society where we live in a society where you feel incomplete if you do not possess a certain good. 2. I think spending money to a certain point is beneficial because it helps circulate cash, however consumers should not be spending to a point where they cannot pay back debts. Also people can spend money wisely rather on unnecessary and expensive goods.
lebiez piranaj

Consumer debt loads grow at fastest pace in 2 years - 3 views

www.cbc.ca/...transunion-debt-credit.html

consumer debt fastest pace

shared by lebiez piranaj on 25 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • Canadian debt loads grew at their fastest pace in two years during the summer
  • Credit reporting agency TransUnion's latest quarterly analysis of Canadian credit trends found average consumer non-mortgage debt jumped 4.6 per cent year-over-year in the third quarter to an average of $26,768
  • Measured on a quarterly basis, debt grew 2.1 per cent in the summer from the second quarter of this year.
  • ...9 more annotations...
  • Canadian instalment loan borrower debt grew 2.3 per cent over the third-quarter of last year to an average of $22,849.
  • — with inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index up nine per cent and consumer debt jumping more than 37 per cent.
  • A 11 per cent uptick year-over-year in auto loans to an average of $19,228 was the main driver of the growth in overall debt
  • debt loads have increased 400 per cent more than the rate of inflation
  • Borrowing on lines of credit fell 0.2 per cent year-over year, but grew nearly one per cent since the second quarter of the year and sits at an average of $34,050.
  • delinquency levels — those who are late or default on a loan— continue to remain low across all categories.
  • the number of Canadians missing or defaulting on loan payments fell to pre-recession levels
  • household market debt has risen to 163 per cent of disposable income.
  • "We're moving into the Christmas season so I anticipate we might see another high increase year-over-year when we get to the Q4 numbers
  • lebiez piranaj on 26 Nov 12
     
    1. Despite receiving warnings about Canadian debt issues , it turns out that the average credit card debt has actually decreased by one percent while the year-over-year auto loans are now the main driving force behind the overall growth of our debt, why do you think this is happening? 2. Thomas Higgins, TransUnion's vice-president of analytics and decision services said that he believes the reason why consumers continue to ramp up debt is due to the media spreading overly positive news regarding the economy and throwing the readers into a state false optimism. Do you believe this is the case and why?
ShiyuandCristina SC

Canada's organic food certification system like 'an extortion racket,' report says | Ca... - 2 views

news.nationalpost.com/...n-extortion-racket-report-says

Commodities and Resources organic food

shared by ShiyuandCristina SC on 27 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • Annual organic agricultural sales in Canada exceed $2.6-billion, by recent estimates, with supermarket chains joining alternative stores in stocking an ever-widening array of organic-labelled products.
  • Canada’s legislated organic certification process is an invitation for fraud and abuse, the report argues, with consumers paying an often hefty premium for a designation that requires no proof.
  • In response to the organic industry’s growth, Canada enacted a labelling requirement: Since 2009, products making an organic claim must be certified by an agency accredited by the Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • The organic certification industry’s “dirty little secret,” they write, is that “organic crops and livestock are not tested in Canada before they are certified, thus making organic certification essentially meaningless.”
  • The CFIA said organic products are subject to its regular chemical residue monitoring program, along with all other food products. The federal agency, itself, does not provide certification, but rather accredits private businesses to do it. Most are for-profit businesses.
  • “There are a large number of consumers who have misperceptions of what organic means, attaching to it things that generally aren’t true,” Mr. Campbell said in an interview.
  • The analysis did find organic food was 30% less likely to contain trace levels of pesticides, with the researchers saying it was uncommon for any food in the U.S., organic or conventional, to have unsafe levels.
  • But the Frontier Centre authors say that without proof, organic authenticity should be questioned. When large amounts of money are involved, they say, such things as honour systems and the like cannot be relied upon.
  • “The certification bodies are responsible for verifying that organic operators are producing organic products in accordance with Canada’s organic standard,” the CFIA said in a written response.
  • ShiyuandCristina SC on 28 Nov 12
     
    1. Is it fair and better for organic food "businesses" to undergo their own inspections or should the government be responsible for our food safety? 2.The market failure mentioned in this article is an informature market failure. The definition of an informature market failure is when one side of the market has more information than the other. What are some visible solutions to this market failure?
  • ...2 more comments...
  • Aron Joshua Tolentino on 29 Nov 12
     
    1.) It is not fair for organic food businesses to inspect their own goods. By doing that, it will create bias in the inspection results. The government specifically the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) should be regulating the quality of every type of food that can be consumed by human beings. This minimizes bias in the results. 2.) There should be an open relationship within the market the sets the equality information in the market. Technically, trade should be fair, no secrets are valid. If they do not comply with this, law suits can be filed. E.g. fraud, copy right, etc.
  • Dyena Huynh on 30 Nov 12
     
    1. No i don't think it's fair that only the businesses themselves inspect themselves because in doing so, you'd assume that your products are good and therefore put less effort in inspecting them. The government should has some responsibility in inspecting the food because they need to make sure it's safe for people to eat, if they aren't careful with the things they're letting people consume they will run into a lot of health problems. More health problems mean more money to be used. 2. A visible solution to this market failure is to share information so this way it's fair for everyone.
  • Valentina Padure on 14 Dec 12
     
    * It is not fair for organic food companies to inspect their own products since they will obviously never reveal anything bad that could potentially damage the company. It would be like a student marking his own quiz or test, they would do anything they could to benefit their mark. This is why governments should be responsible for our food safety. * A visible solution would be that companies must to share all the information they are aware of with the consumers.
  • Samson Luong on 17 Dec 12
     
    1. It would not be the best idea for businesses to inspect their own food because there is a high possible margin of bias and committing unethical acts such as labeling their foods safe when they aren't are likely to occur. The government should be responsible because they would inspect each business in the same manner without bias and utilize the same procedures, ensuring fair inspections. 2. Visible solutions to this market failure would include sharing product information and inspection information to all producers and consumers.
Rohan Zahur

Canadian Consumer Debt Reaches the Highest Levels of All Time - 0 views

mapleleafdebthelpers.ca/the-highest-levels-of-all-time

Consumer debt

shared by Rohan Zahur on 17 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Rohan Zahur on 17 Jan 13
     
    It seems that while the economy can help consumers in addressing their debt problems, it can be very unstable. Because of this, every debtor and Canadian consumer must take action themselves to ensure that their debts stay within their control. Average consumer debt reaches $26,221
S C

Dealing with Debt: A Consumer's Guide - Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada - 0 views

www.ic.gc.ca/...br01861.html

debt consumer guide canada government

shared by S C on 17 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • You have a debt problem, or are going to have one, if: you continually go over your spending limit or you use your credit cards as a necessity rather than a convenience; you are always borrowing money to make it from one payday to the next; your wages have been garnisheed to pay for outstanding debts; you pay only interest or service charges monthly and do not reduce your total debt over many months; creditors pressure you for payment, threaten to sue or repossess your car, furniture or television, or hire a collection agency to recover the money for them; or utility companies cut off service because your bills have gone unpaid.
  • Possible Solutions
  • Contact your creditors Explain why you can't make your payments and suggest making lower payments over a longer period of time. You may be surprised by how many creditors are willing to accept such arrangements.
  • ...5 more annotations...
  • It is important to stop buying on credit. Continuing to use credit could make your debt load too great for you to handle.
  • Under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act you may make a consumer proposal to your creditors to reduce the amount of your debts, extend the time you have to pay off the debt, or provide some combination of both.
  • If none of the above methods solves your debt problem, you may choose to declare bankruptcy. Bankruptcy should be a last resort if you cannot meet your financial obligations through affordable payments over a specific period of time. Bankruptcy is a legal process performed under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. Because of your inability to pay your debts, you assign all of your assets, except those exempt by law, to a licensed trustee in bankruptcy. This process relieves you of most debts, and legal proceedings against you by creditors should stop.
  • How does one declare bankruptcy? First, you meet with a trustee in bankruptcy who will assess your financial situation and explain the options available to you as described earlier. If you decide to declare bankruptcy, the trustee will help you complete several forms that you will have to sign. You are considered a bankrupt only when the trustee files these forms with the Official Receiver.
  • What is the effect of a bankruptcy discharge? The bankrupt is released of most debts. Some debts are not released, however, such as an award for damages in respect of an assault; a claim for alimony, spousal or child support; any court fine; a debt arising out of fraud or misleading representation; or debts or obligations for student loans if the bankruptcy occurs while the debtor was still a student or within seven years after the bankrupt ceased to be a student
  • S C on 17 Jan 13
     
    Canadian government article advising consumers about debt, such as recognizing danger signs, various methods to deal with it, and information on declaring bankruptcy in case consumers are unable to pay off their debts.
lebiez piranaj

Car loans drive Canadian consumer debt to record high $26,768 - The Globe and Mail - 2 views

www.theglobeandmail.com/...article5248875

consumer debt auto loans higher

shared by lebiez piranaj on 18 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Canadian consumer debt hit a record high in the third quarter, driven by loans to purchase new cars
  • The average Canadian’s non-mortgage debt reached $26,768 in the third quarter
  • fastest pace of debt accumulation in nearly two years
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • ransUnion said Wednesday that consumer debt in the third quarter increased at its fastest rate since the end of 2010, jumping 4.6 per cent on an annual basis and 2.1 per cent from the previous quarter
  • the debt levels are certainly moving in the wrong direction
  • Auto borrowing debt climbed 11.25 per cent from a year earlier and 1.84 per cent from the previous quarter
  • One possible reason, Mr. Higgins said, is that during the recession, Canadians held off getting new cars and paid off their leases, driving auto loans lower
  • people have started thinking that it is time to get a new car
  • “Today, people can carry this debt, but if we do get a big shock, like higher interest rates or job losses, then we will get hit.”
  • lebiez piranaj on 18 Jan 13
     
    The article mentions about how auto loans have increased substantially in the past few years and that this may be because auto loans have lower interest rates. But it also mentions that the economy is recovering and another hit could affect us because we are borrowing so much. 
S C

As consumer debt grows, Mark Carney says ready to act if necessary | Debt | Personal Fi... - 1 views

business.financialpost.com/...ns-deeper-in-debt-than-thought

consumer debt personal finance

shared by S C on 16 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • emerging
  • While consumers are still spending and loading up more debt, Canadian corporate leaders are pulling back on their business plans because of weak global economic growth
  • debt-to-income ratio rose to 163.4%
  • ...9 more annotations...
  • Household debt is viewed as the biggest threat to the Canadian economy
  • much of that acquired through low mortgages rates
  • Monday’s survey showed 44% of companies plan to increase employment levels over the same period — compared to 59% in July — while 18% said those levels would decline.
  • That rate continued to rise to another record high in the first half of 2012, the federal agency said. In 2011, the ratio of household debt to income was 161.7%, up from 150.6%, under a new system of economic accounting adapted by agency.
  • Firms are generally more circumspect about near-term investment decisions and are focusing on minimizing costs,
  • ost businesses are evenly split at 35% between faster and slower sales growth expectations
  • In its autumn Business Outlook Survey, the central bank said companies “have tempered their expectations for business activity.”
  • Canadian households are continuing to pile on debt at a record pace, while corporate leaders are pulling back on their business plans because of weak global economic growth and uncertain demand.
  • While Canada’s economy is being affected by the global angst, the key areas of uncertainty abroad are all points of justifiable confidence here at home
  • S C on 18 Jan 13
     
    Consumer debt is becoming a larger threat to the Canadian economy as a whole. Meanwhile, businesses stopped expanding due to weak global growth.
Brijesh Patel

Canadian consumer debt soars 53 per cent - 1 views

ca.finance.yahoo.com/...ars-53-per-cent-155008666.html

consumer debt

shared by Brijesh Patel on 26 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • Brijesh Patel on 26 Nov 12
     
    - In the past 5 years, consumer debt has increased by 53% - The most borrowing occurring in the two years right after the global financial crisis. - Canada's household debt to income ration jumped to 163.4% - Canada's debt-to-income ratio has now reached a record high, topping levels seen in the U.S - Currently, the Canadian housing market is in a state of decline, with home sales dropping 15 per cent in September.
  • Brijesh Patel on 27 Nov 12
     
    #2 what is causing the debt ratio to increase drastically ?
Brijesh Patel

Bank of Canada flags lenders' role in consumer debt - 1 views

www.theglobeandmail.com/...article6930721

debt

shared by Brijesh Patel on 16 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Canadian families owe nearly $1.65 on average for every dollar of after-tax income, the highest level in 22 years of tracking those figures.
  • the government would no longer insure mortgages that are amortized over a period longer than 25 years.
  • fierce competition for customers caused some major banks to begin offering five-year mortgages at 2.99 per cent, triggering a price war in the sector.
  • ...5 more annotations...
  • You should be cautious about your lending practices, because this is the type of practice that led to a mortgage crisis in the United States several years ago,
  • Statistics Canada saying in December that the most recent data suggest Canadian families owe nearly $1.65 on average for every dollar of after-tax income.
  • physically present also have a greater proportion of consumers with too much de
  • The Bank of Canada has been scrutinizing whether competition among
  • The governing council was told about the role that discounting plays in how much individuals pay for their mortgage and notes that there is “substantial dispersion in rates across people, institutions, and markets.”
  • Brijesh Patel on 18 Jan 13
     
    Funding costs rose dramatically during the financial crisis when liquidity dried up, pushing up the costs of consumer and business loans Finance Minister Jim Flaherty tightened the rules on mortgages for a fourth time in four years, saying the government would no longer insure mortgages that are amortized over a period longer than 25 years "Neighbourhoods with more bank branches and payday lenders per capita (i.e. more competition) have looser lending standards (higher leveraged households) and experience greater bankruptcies"
S C

Canadian consumer debt level reaches record high | Debt | Personal Finance | Financial ... - 4 views

business.financialpost.com/...ing-more-debt-than-ever-before

canadian debt consumer

shared by S C on 15 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • In the July-September period, households borrowed $27.3-billion, $18.4-billion of that in mortgages, while consumer credit levels increased by $7-billion to $474-billion.
  • “Given the prospects that interest rates will eventually rise, households must cool their spending and borrowing further.”
  • household debt to annual disposable income reached a new high at 164.6%
  • Nikita Klyuev on 17 Jan 13
     
    The new report shows household debt to annual disposable income reached a new high at 164.6%, from 163.3% the previous quarter. In the July-September period, households borrowed $27.3-billion, $18.4-billion of that in mortgages, while consumer credit levels increased by $7-billion to $474-billion. As well, household net worth rose 1% to $197,800 in the July-September period, mostly due to gains in holdings in stocks, including mutual funds, and increased value of pension assets.
  • Rohan Zahur on 17 Jan 13
     
    On a national accounting level, Canada's net worth increased by more than $9-billion in the third quarter to $6.8-trillion. That translates to $194,100 per person.
  • S C on 18 Jan 13
     
    Canadians are taking on more debt than ever before, approaching US debt levels just prior to the housing market crash.
Brijesh Patel

Drowning In Debt? - 2 views

www.theglobeandmail.com/...article7354916

shared by Brijesh Patel on 17 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Some basic tips: “Don’t add any more to your debt,” Mr. Schwartz said, “Put your credit cards away. Stop using your line of credit. Live on cash or debit.”
  • Canadian borrowing levels have hit record levels, with household debt-to-income ratio recently reaching a high of 164.6 per cent, according to Statistics Canada.
  • But consulting a trustee, which comes with no charge, doesn’t always mean filing for bankruptcy, he explained. Trustees can help set budgets, steer consumers toward consolidation loans, mortgage refinancing or consumer proposals as a way to climb out of debt, he said.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • Pay down the debt with the biggest interest rate first, or select a small debt, and pay it off.
  • Brijesh Patel on 18 Jan 13
     
    Pay down the debt with the biggest interest rate first
  • Brijesh Patel on 18 Jan 13
     
    In 2011, 77,993 consumers filed for bankruptcy
Brijesh Patel

Consumer Spendings continue to grow - 0 views

www.newswire.ca/...mer-spending-continued-to-grow

consumer spending

shared by Brijesh Patel on 18 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Brijesh Patel on 18 Jan 13
     
    Canadian spending rose by 3.45 per cent during the fourth quarter of 2012 October 2012 experienced the strongest growth, with a 4.93 per cent increase in spending, Boxing Week spending was up 5.35 per cent, compared to 2011
faseehthemoonman

Consumer Debt: Canadians Focusing On Paying Off Bills, Worrying Less About Retirement - 0 views

www.huffingtonpost.ca/...nada-cibc-study_n_2395618.html

consumer

shared by faseehthemoonman on 17 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Overall, the poll done for the bank by Harris/Decima showed 17 per cent of respondents selected debt reduction as their main priority in 2013
  • Managing day-to-day spending/budgeting came in third, selected by eight per cent of respondents and down from 14 per cent last year
  • At the same time, debt management increased as a priority for that age group to 18 per cent from 14 per cent
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • Having been named the top priority three years in a row, there is an opportunity for more Canadians to turn awareness of debt management into action and outline some clear steps towards paying down their debt in 2013
  • 2,009 adults 18 years of age and over and is considered to have a margin of error of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points 19 times out of 20.
Rohan Zahur

Breaking down Canada's consumer debt - 0 views

www.cbc.ca/...consumer-debt

Consumer Debt

shared by Rohan Zahur on 17 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Rohan Zahur on 17 Jan 13
     
    There is more debt in canada thehn ever before
Rohan Zahur

Average Consumer Debt in Canda past 26700 - 0 views

www.ctvnews.ca/...da-rises-past-26-700-1.1037894

Consumer debt

shared by Rohan Zahur on 17 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Rohan Zahur on 17 Jan 13
     
    Canadian debt loads grew at their fastest pace in two years during the summer Canadian instalment loan borrower debt grew 2.3 per cent over the third-quarter of last year to an average of $22,849
Cristina Raileanu

Canadian consumer debt climbs to record levels in 2012 | CTV News - 0 views

www.ctvnews.ca/...ecord-levels-in-2012-1.1093975

canadian consumer record debt levels

shared by Cristina Raileanu on 17 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • That's about the level reached in the United States before the financial crisis.
  • the household debt to income ratio stood at 164.6 per cent,
  • navigated through the risks so far, but the time has come to pay off your bills before that happens.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • The Bank of Canada is expected to keep its key rate on hold for now, giving Canadians a window to start reducing their debts before costs start to rise.
Cristina Raileanu

Consumer Debt - 6 views

1) again this question is an individual decision, I personally would cut back on my weekly spendings on luxuries, and be happy with, especially if I have something particular I am saving for. Also,...

started by Artur Dyachenko on 27 Nov 12 2 follow-ups, last by Cristina Raileanu on 07 Dec 12
Samson Luong

Brazil economy surprisingly weak, adds to global fears - The Globe and Mail - 0 views

www.theglobeandmail.com/...article5837722

brazil economy adds fears globe mail Stagnate Growth Samson Zhang

shared by Samson Luong on 04 Dec 12 - No Cached
  • Brazil has been stuck in a pattern of slow growth since Ms. Rousseff took office last year, as companies struggle with high costs and severe infrastructure and labour bottlenecks. Ms. Rousseff has tried to revive activity with numerous tax cuts and other stimulus, but Friday’s data showed that companies are not responding, as investment fell for a fifth straight quarter.
  • Friday’s data renews concerns that its slow growth is not a cyclical issue, but the result of deeply rooted structural problems after strong growth of the previous decade.
  • The measures that the government imagined would be capable of bringing Brazil out of the global crisis weren’t enough
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • Data indicates that many consumers have reached their debt limit, despite a massive year-long cycle of interest rate cuts, leaving few other strong motors to power Brazil’s $2.5-trillion economy.
  • far deeper changes to Brazil’s restrictive labour laws as well as its complex and onerous tax code, which many companies say makes investment prohibitively expensive.
  • Ms. Rousseff has won some plaudits from foreign investors for efforts to address Brazil’s supply-side bottlenecks
  • Samson Luong on 04 Dec 12
     
    Questions 1. What effects will interest rate cuts and expanding consumer credit have on Brazil's economy? 2. Would allowing the private sector to build and operate airports, highways and cutting electricity costs be good for Brazil's economy? Why?
  • anonymous on 06 Dec 12
     
    1- It might cause an economic recession. 2- It will be beneficial as long as there isn't one company operating all these areas(monopoly power) which leads to a market failure. It will bring money to the private sector. Netan
Brijesh Patel

Watch Your Debt Level - 0 views

www2.macleans.ca/...nadians-watch-your-debt-levels

credit levels increased

shared by Brijesh Patel on 18 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Brijesh Patel on 18 Jan 13
     
    For every dollar of after-tax income Canadians bring home, they're borrowing more than $1.64. Statistics Canada said that between July and September of this year, households borrowed $27.3 billion Consumer credit levels increased by $7 billion to $474 billion.
  • Brijesh Patel on 18 Jan 13
     
    For every dollar of after-tax income Canadians bring home, they're borrowing more than $1.64. Statistics Canada said that between July and September of this year, households borrowed $27.3 billion Consumer credit levels increased by $7 billion to $474 billion.
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