http://www.collinsbarrowbrown.com/ en Copyright 2012 2012-02-08T18:47:30+00:00 http://www.collinsbarrowbrown.com/cb-brown-blog/saving-smart/ http://www.collinsbarrowbrown.com/cb-brown-blog/saving-smart/#When:18:47:30Z Setting and achieving financial goals can be a frustrating and demoralizing experience, especially when the goals are unrealistic or beyond your short term reach. When we conduct a financial counseling session with individuals who have filed bankruptcy, we recommend they begin by setting some basic goals. For example, we suggest the first thing they do is save $1,000.00 for emergencies. Next, save three months of living expenses in case of an interruption in employment. Once these goals are met you can start saving for retirement and other objectives such as a house or vacation. To assist with setting your financial goals and dreams, consider applying the S.M.A.R.T. principle to increase the likelihood of success. S.M.A.R.T financial goals have the following characteristics: Budgeting, 2012-02-08T18:47:30+00:00 http://www.collinsbarrowbrown.com/cb-brown-blog/empoyees-choice-award-our-3rd-time/ http://www.collinsbarrowbrown.com/cb-brown-blog/empoyees-choice-award-our-3rd-time/#When:21:09:00Z We are happy to announce our affiliate accounting firm, Collins Barrow Ottawa LLP, has been selected as a winner of the 2011-2012 Employees' Choice Award sponsored by the Ottawa Business Journal for the 3rd consecutive time. 2012-01-13T21:09:00+00:00 http://www.collinsbarrowbrown.com/cb-brown-blog/alzheimer-society-walk-for-memories/ http://www.collinsbarrowbrown.com/cb-brown-blog/alzheimer-society-walk-for-memories/#When:21:02:48Z For the 17th year Collins Barrow Ottawa LLP is a lead local sponsor of the Alzheimer Society Walk for Memories. For the 10 years Collins Barrow Brown Inc. has been with Collins Barrow Ottawa LLP we have volunteered and walked at this important fundraising event. The Walk for Memories is the largest fundraising event of the Alzheimer Society in Ontario. In 60 Ontario communities, the Walk for Memories raises money to fund local programs and services for people living with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, and their families. News and Events, 2012-01-11T21:02:48+00:00 http://www.collinsbarrowbrown.com/cb-brown-blog/welcome-to-our-new-website/ http://www.collinsbarrowbrown.com/cb-brown-blog/welcome-to-our-new-website/#When:14:00:51Z We are proud to introduce you to our new website containing the latest information and tools to help people regain their financial freedom. We hope you like the website and encourage you to let us know what you think, ask questions in our blog, follow us on Twitter and Facebook and come back and visit us often. News and Events, 2011-12-05T14:00:51+00:00 http://www.collinsbarrowbrown.com/cb-brown-blog/re-establishing-your-good-credit/ http://www.collinsbarrowbrown.com/cb-brown-blog/re-establishing-your-good-credit/#When:13:59:58Z Once you have been discharged from bankruptcy, or once your Consumer Proposal has been approved by the court, it may be possible to obtain some credit and begin rebuilding your credit history. A pre paid credit card may be the answer. It is a credit card on which you have deposited perhaps $500 to $1,000 you then draw on as you need funds. The credit card company will then report your use of the card to the credit bureaus. Credit Report, 2011-07-31T13:59:58+00:00 http://www.collinsbarrowbrown.com/cb-brown-blog/debt-consolidation/ http://www.collinsbarrowbrown.com/cb-brown-blog/debt-consolidation/#When:13:59:56Z Are Debt Consolidation Loans really the answer? Alternatives to Bankruptcy, 2011-07-31T13:59:56+00:00 http://www.collinsbarrowbrown.com/cb-brown-blog/home-equity-loans/ http://www.collinsbarrowbrown.com/cb-brown-blog/home-equity-loans/#When:13:59:43Z If you have equity in your house does a Home Equity Loan make sense? Alternatives to Bankruptcy, 2011-07-31T13:59:43+00:00 http://www.collinsbarrowbrown.com/cb-brown-blog/contact-your-creditors/ http://www.collinsbarrowbrown.com/cb-brown-blog/contact-your-creditors/#When:13:59:32Z Many creditors, once they understand your situation, will work with you to settle your debt and to avoid sending it to collection. For example, a creditor may defer payments for an agreed upon time period or accept smaller payments over a longer period of time. Prior to contacting creditors, prepare a monthly household budget and a summary of your debts and assets. Be prepared to be patient, to consider various payment options and to disclose full particulars about your finances. Ensure that all matters agreed to are fully documented in writing. If you wish, we will contact your creditors on your behalf. There may be a fee for this service. If so, we will explain our fee arrangements to you. Alternatives to Bankruptcy, 2011-07-31T13:59:32+00:00 http://www.collinsbarrowbrown.com/cb-brown-blog/are-you-insolvent/ http://www.collinsbarrowbrown.com/cb-brown-blog/are-you-insolvent/#When:13:59:22Z Having insufficient assets to meet debts and liabilities is only half the story. Are You Insolvent?, 2011-07-31T13:59:22+00:00 http://www.collinsbarrowbrown.com/cb-brown-blog/your-credit-report/ http://www.collinsbarrowbrown.com/cb-brown-blog/your-credit-report/#When:13:59:14Z A credit report is used by your current credit grantors, and potential credit grantors, to assess your ability to pay your debts. It is also becoming increasingly common for insurance companies, landlords and prospective employers to review your report. It is a document maintained by the two credit reporting companies in Canada, Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada. Each of these companies compiles your credit report by receiving and summarizing credit information reported to them by banks, credit card companies and consumer finance businesses. A typical credit report will include, in addition to credit information, a summary of your name, birth date, current and prior addresses, employment history and, public information (liens, lawsuits, judgments, bankruptcy, proposal, debt settlement program). Credit Report, 2011-07-31T13:59:14+00:00