A Saskatoon based Insolvency Trustee is concerned about the results of a national consumer debt index survey.

Michelle Scheller says the trend of about a third of Saskatchewan residents surveyed being unable to cover their bills and debts each month started with the downturn in the western Canadian oil industry.

The survey also suggests almost three-quarters of respondents wouldn’t be able to respond to emergencies like job loss or car repairs.

Scheller says those people are left scrambling and floundering when emergencies happen.

She feels the biggest problem is many of those struggling through difficult financial times wait too long to seek professional help and not all cases end in bankruptcy.

Scheller points out other possible solutions include proposals to debt holders and could be as simple as getting financial counseling.

She doesn’t see the troubling trends ending anytime soon.

{CJWW}