We've found and shared a number of local success stories over the course of the past several months from business owners who have been thriving through the pandemic.  More and more of us are supporting our independently owned and operated stores. 

However, alarms are sounding this summer.   

The latest MNP Consumer Debt Index has found almost half of us in Saskatchewan are worried about our debt levels.  In fact, 55% of respondents from Saskatchewan and Manitoba say they regret the amount of debt they've taken on and 15% of us believe our situations will get worse before they get better. 

What might be most alarming about these numbers is that 51% of those surveyed in Saskatchewan and Manitoba say they're $200 or less away from "financial insolvency" at the end of each month and MNP points out that number includes the 30% who are already in a situation where they can't make their payments and pay their bills this summer. 

On the upside, 33% of those surveyed in Saskatchewan and Manitoba say their debt situation is "excellent".