Doubt and Debt

    The average Canadian works 40 hours a week, trying to get ahead in today's society. Most of us, working for a minimal $10.30/hour. It may not seem like a big deal to some, but to put that into perspective, to take your average pay of $600 biweekly, and factor that into a yearly income, it averages out to be approximately 15 grand per year. For those of us who have the ordinary bills of every day life, matched with an incredible student loan debt, it seems absurd.

    According to Statcan, the average Canadian in 2014, spent roughly $65000. That number is factored solely from monthly expenses. Those being groceries, power bills, rent, travel expenses... Things that most people in our society take for granted every single day. How are we to come out on top, if every dime we make goes directly back to the government in bills that we can not escape? Combine that $65000 with the average student loan debt of $28000 (according to CFS), we're left to ask ourselves “what's the point?” We go to work every day, to try to pull ourselves ahead, but when we have to start grocery shopping at the dollar store, just to keep on top of bills... That's when we have to reevaluate our life, and try to pull it together.

    So what are we supposed to do? Sure, you can apply for a credit card to have that little bit of extra cash, but does it really do any good? Having yet another bill to try to balance, another payment to try to work your life around. Unfortunately, there is not anything we can do about the amount of bills we are expected to pay on a monthly basis, aside from cutting back on things. We have to live, and we can't fight the government on the matter. However, there are a few things we can do to help us manage.

    Coupons work wonders when on a budget. People may look at you strange when you pull out a handful of coupons when in line at Walmart, but if it helps you keep on top of bills, it's no ones business but your own. If used at the right time, coupons can make an extraordinary difference in your spending totals each month. Catch something on sale, use the right coupon, you may end up spending practically nothing on the product you wish to have.

    On top of coupons, there are also several apps available for free which may help anyone on a budget. Depending on your phone type, there are apps that take your income, subtract bill amounts, and help you realize what you can and can not spend each month. There are also apps which can help earn you cash back. “Snapsaves” for example, gets you to send in a photo of your grocery receipt, and gives you money back based on purchases. Types of butter, shampoo, milk, even cleaning supplies can all offer cash back through this app. Each week, new offers are released through the creators for new opportunities to earn back. After you reach $20 back, you can cash out to receive a check in the mail for the total amount. Do the research, there are several apps like this one out there which can benefit you.

    One thing I personally do to keep on track of bills, is planning. The calendar in my kitchen marks each pay week, and what bills need to be payed out of that pay check to help keep everything balanced. Each bill is also kept on my fridge by magnets, to lay out what I have to pay and when. If you find yourself struggling, do the research and find an option that benefits you. Find what works for you, and go with it. It's stressful, but when you find what works, everything will be okay. And don't forget, you're not alone. Everyone in this world has been where you are right now. Stressed over bills, not knowing where your next meal might come from. Things will get better, you will figure things out. It comes with age, and everything will be okay. Relax, don't be so hard on yourself. You'll get there, just like the rest of us.