Chap 13: SMART: Life after Debt

There are many different kinds of smart. The first one you‘ve been reading and learning about throughout this book. By now, you’ve found a number of tips and ways to save you money in concrete and measurable ways. Perhaps your SMART means Strong Motivation And the Right Tools to turn things around. Part of that is also to continue asking the right questions – sometimes the hard questions.

…another SMART acronym stands for Saving Money and Reducing Taxes…It is actually an acronym of Primerica Financial Services and may be another piece of putting together the puzzle of your financial health. Primerica’s mission statement includes being “in the business of changing people’s lives by helping Canadians become debt free.” It also encompasses their strong desire to teach clients and empower them to make better-informed decisions with a knowledge how money, credit, insurance and investments work.

Each office is an independent financial service operation with a complete range of services from mutual funds to insurance and mortgage options. Where Primerica excels head and shoulders above others is their personal dedication and service, one client at a time. What sets them apart is the training, belief and actions that the client comes first, on their terms, with their priorities, on their schedule, each with unique financial means and priorities. Or as it is sometimes referred to: “Solving the fundamental problems that keep families from reaching their goals and living their dreams.”

Quite a difference from being pitched - to being helped in concrete and meaningful ways. While they don’t say it – it clearly shows that each of their more than 7,000 Canadian representatives know they will only succeed when you do. Whether the goal is to gain an understanding of investment options, becoming debt free or starting a focused saving game plan - something big or often quite small. It is refreshing to see a firm that talks AND practices putting the customer first. After all, wouldn’t we all rather deal with someone that speaks our language, uses words and explanations we can understand and has probably been in our situation with similar challenges?

One of the unique features of Primerica is their review of your financial goals through a Financial Needs Analysis...

Another excellent source of information is through a credit-counselling agency. A partial contact list is at the end of the book. These are professionals that will review your financial situation in strict confidence and without obligation. There is never any shame in asking for help – ever. A credit counsellor can always recommend a number of alternatives for any unique debt situation and can assist with: