Our Money Makeover family completes their one-year journey
A YEAR AGO, Rachel Jensen and Ryan Rasmussen were drifting deeper into debt as they struggled to bridge the gap between what they earned and spent. Today, the Maple Ridge couple are learning how to live within their means. They’re making progress toward their ultimate goal of freedom from debt. In late 2012, Jensen and Rasmussen were chosen for a yearlong money makeover by the non-profit Credit Counselling Society. The goal of the makeover was to help the couple acquire the habits and strategies they would need to pull themselves out of debt and start making ends meet. The Sunday Province has tracked the family’s progress every three months. This is the fourth and final report. They had hoped to reduce their unsecured debt by $7,500. The universe has thrown them a few curve balls and they didn’t make that target. But they showed discipline and a willingness to learn. The society believes they now have the financial smarts to move toward success. Investment management firm Phillips, Hager & North Investment Services has acknowledged their progress by making a $5,000 RRSP contribution to the couple.