“Never was so much owed by so many to so few“, –Winston Churchill
I paraphrase Churchill as a precursor to the latest data from Stats Canada about the National Balance Sheet. Remembrance Day is not far off, but allow me to borrow from Mr. Churchill a bit more.
Unfortunately, the phrase is very much in context. The so few, is the banks, unfortunately.
Stats Canada published their latest update of the National balance sheet and financial flow accounts, second quarter 2018, and as usual there are some very interesting numbers in this report.
It starts off saying that we are wealthier (but you need to read carefully what that means), but then we find out about our debt loads.
So Much Owed?
The report states:
Credit market debt as a proportion of household disposable income (adjusted to exclude pension entitlements) increased to 169.1%, as credit market debt outpaced income. In other words, there was $1.69 in credit market debt for every dollar of household disposable income.
Let us not frolic with glee, while the increase is slowing, it is still increasing (i.e. we are borrowing more compared to our disposable income).
For every $1 of disposable income you owed $1.69 ? That seems quite worrisome, because eventually, someone will ask for their money. Loans are callable, especially HELOC’s, Credit Card Debt and Loans.
We are worth more, but so much of that net worth is tied up in Real Estate. If the housing market goes bust, this could lead to disastrous consequences. So much more will be owed by all of us then.
I love the appropriation of Churchill’s words. I suspect it is that way with any major system. It’s the 80/20 rule…or perhaps, in this case, the 99/1 rule. Anyway, I hope in another life to be reincarnated as a bank. That way I’ll be able to pay off the debts from this life.