Fun contests and lots of great events are happening again this year as we celebrate Credit Education Week (CEW) from November 6th to 10th. CEW is in its eleventh year and every year it’s bigger and better, from the celebrity guest speakers to the contests and prizes, and this year is no exception. Our theme this year is “Guilty Pleasures” which promises plenty of lively discussion, debate, and insight into how we Canadians spend and manage our money.
We all have our own guilty pleasures, whether it’s binge-watching the latest season of our favourite series, checking out the online tabloids or getting that weekly treat from our favourite artisan cafe. Guilty pleasures bring us joy even on the most mundane days, but if we don’t keep them in check they could potentially stand in the way of our financial goals. CEW this year is all about managing that fine balance between indulging in our guilty pleasures and achieving goals like owning a home, travelling, continuing education or financing your wedding.
Here’s the rundown on this year’s CEW main events and attractions:
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Social Media Contest – Win up to $500
Our #GuiltyPleasures Twitter and Instagram contest is fully underway, where participants have a chance to win up to $500. All you have to do is post a photo of your guilty pleasure (no brands) with the hashtag #GuiltyPleasures and tag @CreditCanada for a chance to win $500. Contest runs until September 24th 2017, so get those entries in asap! And don’t be afraid to get creative. It can be anything from designer coffee, gossip magazines and online products to pet and baby costumes, hobbies, and music shows. Click here for full contest details.
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Grade 12 Essay Contest – $5,000 Grand Prize Scholarship
Every year, CEW hosts a national Grade 12 Essay Contest where winners receive scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000, with over 20 prizes to be won. Our top prize winner not only takes home a $5,000 scholarship, but they also get to attend the CEW Dinner Gala in Toronto and present their essay to top industry leaders and the occasional celebrity. To enter, we are asking Grade 12 students to write 800 to 1,000 words on What was the dumbest thing you ever did with your money and what did you learn from the experience? Essays must be submitted by October 16th, 2017. For full contest details, click here.
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Professional Development Day and Luncheon – November 6th, 2017
On November 6th we will be hosting a Professional Development Day at Toronto’s downtown Y (20 Grosvenor St. 2nd floor) from 9am to 2pm. We’ll also be providing a light breakfast and lunch, and it’s completely free to attend. Top-industry professionals, media personalities, authors, and experts will be there to share the latest news and findings on personal money management, including best-selling and award-winning author, Kelley Keehn and personal finance journalist and author of Burn Your Mortgage, Sean Cooper. To attend simply register here.
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CEW Dinner Gala – November 8th, 2017, 5:30pm–9:00pm
Every CEW is highlighted by our Dinner Gala where celebrities, industry-leaders, and of course our Grade 12 Essay winners rub elbows at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel, all in the name of Canadian financial literacy and wellness. This year’s keynote speakers are the always entertaining TV-star duo, Colin & Justin. Tickets are almost sold out! Get yours by clicking here.
CEW is about helping Canadians boost their financial skills and outlook by providing direct access to the leading experts and pros who know all the ins and outs when it comes to personal money management. As Canada’s longest-standing not-for-profit credit counselling agency, Credit Canada is proud to bring this event to all Canadians and their families to help build a better, stronger future. And as always, if you need help managing your debt or budget, give us a call at 1.800.276.2272 or click here for a free debt assessment. All of our counselling is free and we don’t turn anyone away, because we believe all Canadians should have access to the right financial tools to move forward and achieve their financial goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have Question? We are here to help
What is a Debt Consolidation Program?
A Debt Consolidation Program (DCP) is an arrangement made between your creditors and a non-profit credit counselling agency. Working with a reputable, non-profit credit counselling agency means a certified Credit Counsellor will negotiate with your creditors on your behalf to drop the interest on your unsecured debts, while also rounding up all your unsecured debts into a single, lower monthly payment. In Canada’s provinces, such as Ontario, these debt payment programs lead to faster debt relief!
Can I enter a Debt Consolidation Program with bad credit?
Yes, you can sign up for a DCP even if you have bad credit. Your credit score will not impact your ability to get debt help through a DCP. Bad credit can, however, impact your ability to get a debt consolidation loan.
Do I have to give up my credit cards in a Debt Consolidation Program?
Will Debt Consolidation hurt my credit score?
Most people entering a DCP already have a low credit score. While a DCP could lower your credit score at first, in the long run, if you keep up with the program and make your monthly payments on time as agreed, your credit score will eventually improve.
Can you get out of a Debt Consolidation Program?
Anyone who signs up for a DCP must sign an agreement; however, it's completely voluntary and any time a client wants to leave the Program they can. Once a client has left the Program, they will have to deal with their creditors and collectors directly, and if their Counsellor negotiated interest relief and lower monthly payments, in most cases, these would no longer be an option for the client.