This story comes to us from CFB Shilo, where our financial services team, SISIP financial, runs a presence on the Base to provide financial services to our military members. 

The story you are about to peruse is shared by Dominique Jeaurond, one of SISIP’s financial counsellors. If you are working with our members and this story is resonating with you because you sense perhaps someone you work with could benefit from financial counselling — here is where you can direct them to talk with one of our SISIP financial counsellors. 

Through SISIP Financial, we provide financial wellness solutions tailored to meet the needs of our military members and those of their families at every stage of their military careers, and beyond.   

“In February 2021, a member walked into my office. He was angry and obviously overwhelmed. As I listened to his story, the member had been posted to Manitoba, where his wife could not get continuous medical care for her condition. Initially, there was no issue, and both were working and they bought a reliable car for her trip back and forth to work 30 minutes away.

“But after a while, the spouse’s hands stopped functioning properly, and as a hairdresser, this was devastating to her career.  By the time the spouse had rehabilitated enough to go back to work, COVID-19 had started shutdowns and there was no job to go to. In addition, as many young couples, when the spouse was feeling better they had decided to start a family and she was pregnant.”

“In an effort to save some money, the member had switched bank accounts and had notified his vehicle loan company, but they had not changed it and his payment went NSF. Because the account was closed, the system automatically put his vehicle into repossession status, and on Christmas Eve, they tried to take his car. He was given a short reprieve, but the collection company was still hounding him, while he was trying to clear the error up with his loan provider.

“By the time the member came to see me, it had been almost a year into COVID-19 and they had a small child and still only a single income. He desperately wanted to start a second job but the military had put a stop to members having 2nd jobs and he was frustrated. He was obviously fighting depression and was not eating properly.”

“I started the process of combing through his finances to see where the money was going. A huge amount was going to his bank charges for overdue amounts and there were a few minor changes to make. While discussing the situation with Support Our Troops, I described distress this young family was under.

“I was able to arrange a distress loan so the threat of vehicle removal was gone as were a few of the high monthly payments. I was so happy to help this member, but when I told him, he said he didn’t want another loan, he was sick of loans.

“I explained how the loan would free up his cash flow so he could make more responsible decisions with his spending, and leave money for food. I tried to get a smile from him and said, maybe you can move from Ramen noodles to Primo pasta. I at least got eye contact. He reluctantly took the loan and even though I offered for him to come back if he needed any more assistance, I lost track of him. Then I realized, that is what we are here for.

“After 18 months, I received a call for his payout, as he was leaving the military. His wife could not get the treatment she needed here, so they would have to leave at his contract end, to go to a province that approves using the necessary devices she would need. 

“Before I could get the payout, a young man entered my office. He was healthy and had shining eyes. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, do you remember me? I said you look familiar but I can’t place you. When he told me who he was, I was shocked at the transformation.

“He said he followed my tips even though he thought they wouldn’t help originally, but now they are happily living on a single income and actually have some savings. He showed me pictures of a healthy thriving little girl. He also told me his spouse said to say hi and thank-you. I could not believe the difference I had made in this family’s life. But then I realized, that is what we are here for.”