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A new survey that shows rising interest rates are pushing many British Columbians to the edge of a financial cliff comes as little surprise to Kim Mulders.

The 53-year-old Nanaimo resident has been battling high debt since becoming disabled.

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“This just says to me the average person doesn’t have much extra cash to deal with rising costs in general,” says 53-year-old Nanaimo resident.

The latest MNP Consumer Debt Index, released Monday, show many Canadians — British Columbians included — could be facing similar grim financial circumstances, particularly as interest rates on low-cost, variable rate debts — like lines of credit and mortgages — creep higher.

Mulders had worked all her life and cash flow was never an issue — until she hurt her back a few years ago.

“I didn’t want to lose my home so I started using my line of credit or credit cards to pay bills.”

In B.C., the MNP survey found, 36 per cent of residents surveyed were concerned that future rate hikes could cause financial difficulties. An even larger number (47 per cent) stated higher rates would affect their ability to meet debt obligations, while 22 per cent were concerned rising debt costs could push them toward bankruptcy.