Avoid unnecessary fees
If money is tight, the last thing you need is to accumulate unnecessary fees like non-sufficient funds fees when you’ve issue a check but there isn’t enough money to cover it in your bank account. Most banks charge fees ranging between $ 40 and $ 45 for each returned check. So keep a sharp eye on your accounts and make sure to never issue a check you can’t cover.
Financial advisor
It’s never too early to seek the advice of a financial advisor who can help you choose the option most suited to your personal situation. He may for example tell you to try to get a personal loan of talk to you about debt consolidation, which would allow you to take all your bills and transform them into a single payment, sometimes at an even better rate. If your problems are more serious, he might discuss more severe remedial solutions like a bankruptcy.
Financial aid
- Becoming a Parent: Services Québec – Financial Assistance: The list of government programs and services for expectant and new parents.
- ACEF: These associations offer information, training, assistance and referrals for everything that relates to your budget, debt and spending.
- The Women’s Centre of Montreal: The centre offers several support services suited to the future and new mom: food and clothing aid for families in need, community kitchen programs, distribution of diapers and used maternity items according to your needs.
- CLSC: If you are a low income family, you can contact your CLSC to see if you qualify to receive material or food assistance depending on the programs offered in your area.
- OLO Foundation: Since 1991, the foundation has been providing food and vitamins and mineral supplements for pregnant women who are in a precarious situation.
- Last-resort financial assistance – Government of Quebec: The families that are eligible will receive support during pregnancy, with breastfeeding and school fees.
- RRQ: The Child Assistance payment which is offered to all families in the form of variable payments given to eligible families.
Sources: Yahoo! Finance Blog – Pay these bills first, Desjardins – 5 steps to problem-free finances, Un budget, ca vaut la peine, Stress et économie familiale .
