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We surveyed Canadians to learn about holiday spending and uncovered some unsettling insights.

We want to help.

TORONTO, Dec. 13, 2018 /CNW/ - Despite rising interest rates and common perceptions of consumerism tied to the holidays, 60 per cent of holiday spenders are still willing to go into debt to make purchases this holiday season, according to Manulife Bank's 2018 holiday debt survey.

• Two-thirds of Canadians plan to spend money over the holidays on gifts, travelling, holiday parties, etc. Among those:
• Six in 10 don't have a budget or are likely to overspend
• Eight in 10 say the holidays have become too focused on spending money
• One in two have previously gone into debt to buy presents
• A quarter of Canadians spending during the holidays say the financial stress of the season negatively impacts their mental health

Join us as we pop up at the Toronto Eaton Centre to sing parodies of well-known carols infused with financial tips to help shoppers spend #LessMoneyMoreTime this holiday season.

Interview Opportunities available on-site.

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services group that helps people make their decisions easier and lives better. We operate primarily as John Hancock in the United States and Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance, as well as wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions. At the end of 2017, we had about 35,000 employees, 73,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving more than 26 million customers. As of September 30, 2018, we had over $1.1 trillion (US$863 billion) in assets under management and administration, and in the previous 12 months we made $27.6 billion in payments to our customers. Our principal operations are in Asia, Canada and the United States where we have served customers for more than 100 years. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong.

SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation

View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2018/13/c4025.html