Smart strategies for managing debt

Structure your debt to support your goals

Borrowing money and using credit are important – and for most of us, necessary – ways to achieve your financial or lifestyle goals. Whether you're buying a home or car, or renovating a kitchen, a trip to a lender is likely in the cards.

How you manage debt can make a big difference to both your bottom line and your peace of mind. Fortunately there are some simple steps you can take to save on interest costs and be free of debt much sooner.

Get more from your mortgage

When it comes to saving money on your mortgage, finding a competitive interest rate is an important start, but it's not all you can do. Mortgages have interest-saving features such as prepayment options that let you pay off your balance years sooner, saving you thousands of dollars in the process. Here are the most common options that you can take advantage of.

Increase the frequency of your mortgage payments

Making more payments will noticeably shorten your payback period and reduce the amount of interest paid. Here's an example of how much you can pocket by switching from paying monthly to bi-weekly (every two weeks).

If you also receive your pay bi-weekly, putting your mortgage payments on the same schedule is a convenient choice.

Increase your payment amount

By bumping up the size of your payment whenever you can (depending on your mortgage arrangement), you'll save in interest paid. The extra funds are applied directly to your mortgage principal, reducing what you owe and allowing your mortgage to be paid off years earlier.

Make anniversary payments

On each mortgage anniversary date you can typically repay a percentage of your original mortgage principal. These extra payments, usually between 10% and 20% of the principal, will shrink your mortgage balance faster. If you're expecting a tax refund from your RRSP contribution, consider using these funds to make your anniversary payment.

Refinance or "blend and extend"? 

If you're in a longer-term, fixed rate mortgage taken out when rates were higher, it's tempting to consider refinancing to take advantage of the lower rates available on variable rate mortgages. But while the interest savings may be enticing, you'll be subject to early payment penalties, which can be substantial. You need to consider how much time is left on your mortgage term and the difference in the interest rate. Your financial advisor can help you with the calculations to determine if the refinancing move will actually save you money.

An alternative offered by some financial institutions is to "blend and extend" your mortgage. Here, you average your existing rate with a lower one currently in the market, creating a new extended term at a blended rate. If you believe interest rates are on the way up, this route can be a way of securing a lower rate before your mortgage term renews.

Variable or fixed?

If you do decide to refinance, this is an important question to consider. For example, the Bank of Canada often cuts its overnight lending rate in recessionary times as an effort to bolster demand. The resulting low interest rates – reflected in the reductions to the prime rate set by financial institutions – can make variable rate borrowing options very attractive.

At the same time, fixed-rate mortgages can also be a better deal under certain circumstances. Fixed-rate mortgages are based on bond yields which are market-driven and largely independent of the central bank moves.

So, which option is right for you? If you need predictable payments and an assured rate, you'll likely lean towards a fixed-rate mortgage. But if you can live with a little more uncertainty, you could potentially save more money with a variable rate mortgage. This is where your financial advisor can be a big help.

Leverage home equity for lines of credit

If you've been a long-time homeowner in B.C. you have a significant amount of equity built up over the years. Home equity is the key to paying lower – perhaps much lower – interest on credit. One option is to establish a home equity line of credit.

Because this line of credit is secured by your home, you become eligible for your financial institution's best rate. With a home equity line of credit you can consolidate higher-rate obligations into a single, low-rate balance. This is an important advantage if you're paying higher interest on personal loans or credit cards (with rates typically around 20%).

With a home equity line of credit you have the convenience of making one monthly payment instead of several, while saving on interest. Once established, your home equity line of credit can be drawn on as needed for everything from home renovations to investmentsᶲ, without the need to reapply each time.

Better your credit profile

It pays to know your credit score and what's in your credit report even if your credit history is blemish-free. A strong credit rating can pay off in lower borrowing rates.

Your credit score indicates how 'risky' you are to lenders. The higher your score, the lower your risk profile. A favourable credit score gives you more flexibility to borrow at better rates, even in a tough economy.

Your credit report is available free of charge from the major credit reporting agencies operating in Canada: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. This document details your credit history and is one of the key pieces of information used by lenders when reviewing your application.

Because the credit reporting agencies don't necessarily capture identical information, the best practice is to request your report from each. An annual review will help you keep your credit information accurate. Errors not corrected can negatively affect your credit profile. Regular reviews can also help protect you from identity theft by alerting you to unusual credit inquiries or suspicious credit applications.

So how can you raise a low credit score, even if you feel you manage your debt responsibly?

• Keep your number of loan and credit accounts to a minimum. Having too much spending capacity, or looking for credit too often, can raise concerns about your ability to pay it back.
• Don't get too close to your borrowing limit. Experts recommend keeping your balances at least 35% below your available credit limits.
• Use your credit cards regularly and keep your account current. Building up a solid history of on-time payments will help demonstrate your creditworthiness to lenders. It's a simple way to build and maintain healthy credit.

For more information on these and other ways to get smarter with your debt, contact your BlueShore financial advisor.