My husband and I both work full time (with 2 young children in daycare)we barely make ends meet and have a student loan debt of approximately 80,000 between us. My husband was laid off last year and we went into debt for about an additional 20,000 before he found work. We are almost out of interest relief on our loans and are facing major financial difficulty if we are reguired to pay the over 1600.00 a month in student loans, plus credit card debt and living expenses. What can you recommend especially with regards to studnet loans? Thanks.

In Canada, student loans survive bankruptcy if it has been less than 10 years since you completed your studies. You could try the Orderly Payment of Debt program in Alberta through Credit Counselling Services of Alberta www.creditcounselling.com but the monthly payment may be out of reach. You could also try negotiating a lower payment with student loans - information about paying your loans can be found at www.canlearn.ca

Ann Clarke
phone: (403) 296-2972
aclarke@alger.ca