After dipping for two straight quarters, the national household debt to income ratio jumped to a record 163.4%, Statistics Canada said Friday. That means, for every $1 we’re earning, we owe more than $1.63. Not exactly financial independence. So where’s all this debt coming from? Our homes, mostly. Cumulatively, we owe $1.1 trillion in mortgage payments and $500 billion to various lenders, largely banks and credit card companies. It’s this consumer debt that’s really taking off that’s worrisome. Growth credit market debt accelerated from 0.5% to 1.6% during the quarter, StatsCan said. You can be sure much of that is not adding to household net worth (now standing at $205,900 per capita). Visit the Debt section of our newly redesigned website for tips on how to get back on track.
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