Canadians overspending, rely on luck

The majority of Canadian consumers are overspending each month and some are counting on luck with a lottery or inheritance, a survey Tuesday indicated. The survey for Credit Canada Debt Solutions and Capital One Canada of 822 consumers in September found one-third of respondents pinned their hopes on future financial security on winning a lottery jackpot or inheriting a large sum. Canada has dozens of government-operated lotteries that pay lump sums, tax-free and the weekly news of winners has apparently skewed financial planning for some, Credit Canada Debt Solutions Chief Executive Officer Laurie Campbell said. "It's troubling to see so many Canadians putting more trust in the lottery than sound financial planning, but I see the effects every day in our agency," she said. "Canadians need to recognize that there is no magic solution to gaining control of their finances." As for overspending, food was the biggest cost overrun, the report said. More than two-thirds of respondents said they routinely go over-budget in grocery and food purchases each month. Half of the pool said eating at restaurants often put them over budget, the release said. The poll had a 3.4 percentage-point margin of error.