Oh, okay. I misunderstood you. No, yours was the same as mine.
I arranged my consumer proposal in October of 2002. Just my student loans and one Visa. I was to make payments for three years.
I was in a bit of a panic at the time; this forum did not exist as of yet, that I knew of, so I didn't have the benefit of any knowledge from people like Johnny or other members who have been through the same crap I had --- lost interest relief forms, apathetic and incompetent staff at the CIBC and NSLC, and harassing phone calls from three different collection agencies. When a credit counsellor told me (in error) that I could declare bankruptcy on the loans I took out 10 years ago, I called BDO Dunwoody who told me "no," but I could do a consumer proposal for three years...and then do another for three years...and so on until my 10 years were up.
I shudder to think of it now -- they actually recommended, for all intents and purposes -- that I declare bankruptcy THREE TIMES in 10 years!!!!!
Anyways, I eagerly signed on and the skies cleared...temporarily. I paid $400 a month...until I was laid off due to a lack of work in January 2004.
With a proposal, if you miss three payments, you default, and you are thrown to the wolves again. Unfortunately, the creditors, who must approved the proposal, will not be eager to agree with a revision of terms that would lower your payments or lengthen your amortization if you have no job. I was stuck. BIG time.
I threw whatever I could from my EI cheque to BDO to keep the proposal running...but, being the only one in my town that did my job, I had to somehow find a new line of work, without returning to school, or leave town without money to find a job. I'm in my 40s...my son was 17, I was living with my mother to help afford this damned proposal -- it was running my life.
And my boyfriend wanted me to move in with him once my son headed for college. However, he lives in Holland.
What to do? Consumer proposals, I found out through all this, are just "bankruptcy junior"...your credit rating is shot, your student loans are not forgiven...and if your lifestyle changes at ALL, you are screwed. Can anyone here REALLY predict where they will be in three years? Is anything that secure? I thought I was...and I was wrong.
To make a long story...erhm...not as long...I defaulted. I had no choice. It was running my life. Johnny has helped me through this, so I have no idea what would happen if one finishes one or defaults with no net, so to speak.
And I'm not working yet, so credit? What credit?
If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have done it. I put myself in financial straits to pay the damn thing (I gave up my apartment to keep up the payments, I was so desparate!! Try living with your mother at my age!!) and did not have an impartial POV to help me with alternatives. I thought I had none.
Wish I could help...I probably freaked you out, didn't I? Sorry...
Poly