Debt is a four-letter word, but there are times when it can work to your advantage. From financing a car or home to funding further education, taking on a loan can give you the financial freedom to fulfill dreams that might not otherwise be possible. Too much debt, however, can stretch you beyond your means and lead to serious financial headaches. So how do you find your comfort zone?

Start developing a debt-management strategy that makes sense. Our financial speakers answered questions about using cash versus credit cards, renting versus owning, and investing versus paying down debt. You’ll also learn what to look for when seeking out financial advisors.

Whether you’re in the red, in the black, or in the process of making a large financial decision, this event is for you.

This event took place Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at the Pan Pacific Vancouver.

Podcast

Photos

The Next Step Series Sponsors:

Host

Ian Warner, BCom’89, Treasurer, UBC Alumni Association; President and CEO, APRIO Governance Information Software

Speakers

Ryan McKinley, Mortgage Development Manager, Vancity

Scott Hannah, President and CEO, Credit Counselling Society of BC; Leadership Certification student, UBC Sauder School of Business.

Melanie Buffel, Money Coach

Speaker Biographies

Ryan McKinley, Mortgage Development Manager, Vancity

Ryan has been with Vancity for ten years, becoming the Mortgage Development Manager for Vancouver for the last six. He deals with many forms of residential financing, including construction, co-operative, and development projects.  Most recently he was responsible for putting the financing package together for the 60 W Cordova project in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, allowing many people who thought they would never be able to afford to own in Vancouver the ability to do just that. Ryan’s focus is finding creative and financial responsible housing options.

Scott Hannah, President and CEO, Credit Counselling Society, Leadership Certificate Student, UBC Sauder School of Business

Scott has been the President and CEO of the Credit Counselling Society since 1996, a non-profit charitable organization which annually helps tens of thousands of people across Western Canada to deal with financial and debt related challenges. Scott is a registered insolvency counsellor, serves on the Debt Collection Industry Advisory Group under Consumer Protection BC, and writes a weekly financial advice column in The Province newspaper.