{"id":9146,"date":"2019-11-12T09:00:06","date_gmt":"2019-11-12T17:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sands-trustee.com\/?p=9146"},"modified":"2019-11-08T09:53:39","modified_gmt":"2019-11-08T17:53:39","slug":"bankruptcy-success-story-meet-suzanne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sands-trustee.com\/blog\/bankruptcy-success-story-meet-suzanne\/","title":{"rendered":"Bankruptcy Success Story: Meet Suzanne"},"content":{"rendered":"

Meet Suzanne – she lives in BC\u2019s lower mainland, owns her own home and vehicle, has a career as a self-employed financial advisor that she loves and describes herself as being financially stable. Suzanne\u2019s journey to success hasn\u2019t been smooth or easy, 18 years ago she found herself in a position like many others, deep in debt and worried about her future.<\/p>\n

At the age of 27 Suzanne was re-entering the workforce after being the primary at-home caregiver for her two very young children, recently divorced and struggling to manage over $25,000 of credit card debt that had accumulated during her marriage. She felt like her financial situation was spiraling out of control and was losing sleep from the stress, not knowing what to do.<\/p>\n

Suzanne was anxious, worried about admitting to anyone that she was in over her head: \u201cIt was about nine months before I said something \u2013 I was scared to because of the stigma, even though I really had a big problem.\u201d Finally, Suzanne opened up about the overwhelming stress her debts were causing to a new co-worker who immediately recommended she talk with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee at Sands & Associates.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t even tell you how much courage it takes to be vulnerable. I would have been there for years if it wasn\u2019t for that co-worker telling me where to get help.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Before going through bankruptcy herself, Suzanne says she didn\u2019t know anyone who had filed bankruptcy. She recalls feeling worried that she would \u201cbe destroyed\u201d and would never recover financially, and later being surprised as how quick the process was, how little it cost \u2013 and most importantly how \u201cthe stress just disappeared immediately\u201d.<\/p>\n

Watch Real Stories from Sands & Associates Clients Here<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

She credits bankruptcy with positively impacting her, giving her the skills to navigate a major career change and start her own business, manage credit and avoid pitfalls – and says she found it easy to move on and get new credit after the process was finished. \u201cIt\u2019s endless when I think about the amount of things I was taught by the process,\u201d she shares, \u201cIt\u2019s a one-time thing and you need to learn from that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Suzanne says getting the knowledge about how to manage debts and finances properly is a missing piece of financial literacy for most people that is key, noting that she often feels people aren\u2019t able to answer: \u201cWho would you call if you were in a situation of not being able to pay your bills?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a way out of it and through it, you need help getting through difficult times \u2013 Sands & Associates is your partner in getting through them. You are being completely responsible by taking these steps, you just need help.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Now working in the financial sector helping people manage and prepare for key life events, Suzanne sees how many consumers are stuck in difficult financial situations they can\u2019t move forward from on their own. She says it\u2019s important for her to pay it forward by sharing her story, \u201cgiving back what you\u2019ve learned\u201d.<\/p>\n

Sands & Associates is proud to help people get a financial fresh start free from debt, and we are honoured by our past clients who ask to share their stories in the hopes that they may offer support to someone else facing a similar situation.<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

If you are feeling the stress of debt, know that you are not alone \u2013 we\u2019re here to help you. <\/strong>Connect<\/strong><\/a> with a caring, non-judgmental Sands & Associates representative in a local office today.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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How do I declare bankruptcy in BC?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The first step in BC\u2019s bankruptcy process is to meet with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee or Insolvency Estate Manager at Sands & Associates. A qualified local debt advisor will sit down with you to understand the challenges that you\u2019re having and talk about the solutions available to help you become debt-free and get back on track.<\/p>\n

If you decide that bankruptcy is the best solution for your situation we\u2019ll work with you through the entire process, which normally takes nine months to complete once officially started. We will prepare the necessary documents, deal with your creditors and offer additional support along the way.<\/p>\n

There are many myths and misconceptions about bankruptcy laws. It\u2019s important to know that in Canada only a Licensed Insolvency Trustee is legally endorsed and authorized to provide you with bankruptcy help. Some other key facts to be aware of are:<\/p>\n